I'm tired of Green pools and conflicting information from my weekly service and the local testing store (Leslies). I have to get rid of the green and think Its time I learned how to take care of this 40,000 gallon hole in my back yard. .
Hello from Melville NY--Long Island.
- Thread starter Paulsb01
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,175
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome to TFP! 
For algae, we follow the SLAM Process. Checkout that page and the link before for more info. We'll be happy to help.
www.troublefreepool.com
For algae, we follow the SLAM Process. Checkout that page and the link before for more info. We'll be happy to help.
Pool Care Basics Archives
Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!
www.troublefreepool.com
Thanks.. I'm past this as my current info will show:
FC: 14.13 (shocked yesterday)
TC: 14.79
pH: 7.5
Total Alk: 37
Calcium Hardness: 58
CYA: 189
As a bit of info: Pool was opened 2 weeks ago and my weekly service reported chems were in prefect balance and clear-blue. Within a week (chemicals still in balance) the green began. Service shocked the pool and the green got worse.. could not see the bottom in the shallow end. (We think our mosquito/tic organic spray company) may have caused this. Longs story short: Cleaned out the Filter Cartridge yesterday. It was a new cartridge last August/sept. with the pool closed at the end of Sept. So the cartridges was pretty clean. I put in clarifier to no avail. (The Chem reading is post clarifier. ) The guy at the store said the only think he can think of is to drain out about 2 feet of water and fill in with new. Before I do this, I joined TFP to listen and learn.
FC: 14.13 (shocked yesterday)
TC: 14.79
pH: 7.5
Total Alk: 37
Calcium Hardness: 58
CYA: 189
As a bit of info: Pool was opened 2 weeks ago and my weekly service reported chems were in prefect balance and clear-blue. Within a week (chemicals still in balance) the green began. Service shocked the pool and the green got worse.. could not see the bottom in the shallow end. (We think our mosquito/tic organic spray company) may have caused this. Longs story short: Cleaned out the Filter Cartridge yesterday. It was a new cartridge last August/sept. with the pool closed at the end of Sept. So the cartridges was pretty clean. I put in clarifier to no avail. (The Chem reading is post clarifier. ) The guy at the store said the only think he can think of is to drain out about 2 feet of water and fill in with new. Before I do this, I joined TFP to listen and learn.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,175
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Paul, the one thing you will hear on this forum more than anything else is to test your own water with a TF-100 or Taylor K-2006C test kit. They are easy and reliable to use. Weekly services and pool stores only complicate things and cost you lots of money. Guaranteed. Those test results above are very concerning, especially the TA and CYA. To maintain and perform the SLAM Process you need one of those kits. Give it some thought. We can certainly help you with accurate testing.
Thank you, I just made a GOLD donation and will get the TF kit with the discount.
But assuming the reading was ok, the store couldn't sell me anything with these readings and did not try to. Do you agree with the drain about 2 feet and add new water?
But assuming the reading was ok, the store couldn't sell me anything with these readings and did not try to. Do you agree with the drain about 2 feet and add new water?
Last edited:
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,175
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
The elevated CYA is most definitely priority #1, but it will probably require more than 2 ft. When you receive your test kit, you'll want to do the diluted CYA test as noted in the link below starting at step #8. Once you do that, we'll coach you through the next steps.
www.troublefreepool.com
CYA - Cyanuric Acid Test
Cyanuric acid (CYA) is the chemical name for the product commonly called “pool water stabilizer” … Read more…
www.troublefreepool.com
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,175
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
If you do, be sure to leave about 2 ft in the bottom to keep the liner in place. Watch the top rails closely to ensure nothing pulls away or gets saggy. Also be mindful of your water table if it's been wet in your area. Really no rush to drain until you get the kit, but certainly your call. By the way, are you on a well?
No well but NY water is cheap. The entire pool cost s it $90 when we put the new liner in. I’m also up on a hill way above the WT. I wish there was a chem solution to this. We wanted to swim this weekend.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,175
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
If you do end-up exchanging most of the water, you probably still can if the pH is in the 7s, you can see to the bottom, and the FC is around 3-5 ppm. We won't know the exact CYA until next week, but that should be safe for a weekend dip.
Saturday evening follow up. I’ve emptied 20 inches of water at least three times since Wednesday. And refilled of course. All along having the water tested. The CYA numbers have steadily gone down. My kit has arrived and I’ve done the test completely and I’m posting the numbers below. Along with a photo of my pool in its current state.
Thank you to everyone for your advice, this was certainly the cheapest way out. But I still don’t have an end in sight as you can see from the pool. All suggestions and advice is greatly appreciate it. It’s not fun being a newbie.
The hose line that you see leads to my aqua bot who is stumbling around in the dark.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,175
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Oh my, that's quite a swamp. Your CYA is still too high. Are you still exchanging water? It would be ideal to get the CYA down to 50 or slightly below if possible before starting the SLAM Process.
Yes. Twenty inches down then fill starting fill number five now.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,175
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
That's priority #1. You can see from the SLAM column on this FC/CYA Levels that the lower the CYA, the lower the SLAM FC level required. With chlorine and bleach supplies tight, a lower SLAM FC level might benefit you. That's why I mentioned a CYA of 50 , 40, or even 30. But wherever you call it quits on the CYA, be sure to increase the FC to that SLAM level. Before you increase the FC and start the SLAM Process, just make sure to lower the pH to about 7.2 first, then you can increase the FC as appropriate.
Once you start the SLAM Process, the key is to maintain the proper FC SLAM level as much as you can each day and evening. When you wake up, check and adjust as needed. Maintain until you pass all 3 SLAM criteria. It works!
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,175
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
That CYA is coming down! Outstanding. Are you gong to exchange anymore water? If not, then before starting the SLAM Process you'll need to lower the pH to about 7.2 and increase the FC to "24" based on a CYA of 60.
Are you sure about that pH though? 10? You used just five drops of R-0014 correct?
Are you sure about that pH though? 10? You used just five drops of R-0014 correct?
Just ran the PH a third time. I must have been squeezing the container to much and making "big drops"
I seem to be right at 7.4.
Heading to Walmart to get Chlorine Tabs. I'll fill the chlorinator and set it to 8.
I seem to be right at 7.4.
Heading to Walmart to get Chlorine Tabs. I'll fill the chlorinator and set it to 8.
Attachments
Last edited:
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,175
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
That is odd to go from 7.6 yesterday to essentially something unrecognizable. Other than the water exchange, you haven't added any chemicals correct? Can you do a quick pH test on the water source by itself from the hose and report back please?
See above.. 7.4 is my newest reading. My drops must have been too big.
Heading to Walmart to get Chlorine Tabs. I'll fill the chlorinator and set it.
I also have SHOCK. Do I add this now and if so, how do I figure how much to add?
Heading to Walmart to get Chlorine Tabs. I'll fill the chlorinator and set it.
I also have SHOCK. Do I add this now and if so, how do I figure how much to add?