Same green start to season

[TerriP]

Hi all! Uncovered my pool I. May and it was almost clear but lots of leaves at the bottom. Winter cover had a rip in it.
Filled to skimmer level and began to filter. Life got in the way and a week without attending to pool equals a greenish brown mess. There are so many little seeds, tree flower buds, and cottony stuff from surrounding trees that I could skim for hours.
I started the SLAM yesterday morning, keeping the FC at 20, CYA is 50, pH is High at 8.2. Ive brushed, vaccuumed, cleaned filter cartridge 3 times a day and barely seeing progress in pool. I have one more free day to focus on the pool before I have to go back to work which means attending to pool early am and after 6:00 pm.
Am I missing anything? Should I just keep the faith and continue the battle?

picture is before I started to SLAM

28’ rd AGP, cartridge filter. 1.5 hp

 

[mknauss]

Cleaning out any solid debris is job one. That will delay the transition to cloudy blue.
Did you test the pH prior to raising your FC? The pH above 10 ppm FC is not a reliable data point.

 

[TerriP]

I’ve vaccuumed twice today and will do a third time. I also am using the leaf skimmer to lift out anything I can.
No I did not test the pH before SLAM

 

[mknauss]

If your FC is close to 10 ppm at one of your tests, test pH. Then add acid to lower to 7.2.
You need TA at that time for how much acid to use.
Any chance someone could add some chlorine mid day?

 

[TerriP]

Yes. There is someone home at noon

 

[mknauss]

Then based on what you have been adding each time, have them add the same amount of liquid chlorine. As long as you get even close to SLAM level FC, it will help. With how your water looks, doing it two or three times during the day would even be better.

 

[TerriP]

FC has been holding pretty well. Last night at dusk is was at 20. 7:30 am it was at 16. Throughout the day today it only dropped to 18. It is a bit clearer now as I can sew the brush a bit farther into the water. Here’s hoping for tomorrow.

 

[mknauss]

OK -- much better than the picture you posted. Still have someone add 5 ppm FC worth of liquid chlorine mid day and see what it looks like when you get home in the evening.

 

[TerriP]

If your FC is close to 10 ppm at one of your tests, test pH. Then add acid to lower to 7.2.
You need TA at that time for how much acid to use.
Any chance someone could add some chlorine mid day?

FC dropped to 7.5 overnight. I will lower pH and continue manual cleaning, brushing then Slam again at lower pH.

 

[TerriP]

FC dropped to 7.5 overnight. I will lower pH and continue manual cleaning, brushing then Slam again at lower pH.

Just realized I am using new R0870 but last year’s R0871. Used the new r0871 this morning. Was I getting inaccurate FC reading with old R0871?

 

[TerriP]

Definitely seeing slow progress. pH is up again today. I will keep brushing, flushing and testing until it’s clear!

 

[mknauss]

Be careful testing pH when in SLAM. pH testing is not valid if your FC is above 10 ppm.

 

[sduda210]

If you want to test pH during a slam you can neutralize the chlorine by add a few drops (and swirl) of thiosulfate prior to running the pH test. Thiosulfate is the first reagent in the total alkalinity test, R-0007.

 

[mknauss]

If you want to test pH during a slam you can neutralize the chlorine by add a few drops (and swirl) of thiosulfate prior to running the pH test. Thiosulfate is the first reagent in the total alkalinity test, R-0007.

Sorry - but that will change the pH result. Do not do that.

Thiosulfate drops for high FC pH testing?

Has anyone ever used the thiosulfate drops (Taylor reagent R0007 in the TA test) to neutralize FC for doing pH testing while SLAM'ing? Sodium thiosulfate neutralizes FC and some other test kits use it as part of their pH test procedure. The Taylor kit only uses it for the TA test. Anyone know...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[TerriP]

Is CYA reading accurate during SLAM? Last time FC was at 10, I tested pH and lowered to 7.2, CYA was at 50. I’ve been SLAMming for 7 days since then along with vacuuming, brushing and rinsing cartridge. Typically adding 32-64 oz to bring FC back to 20. There is improvement each day but a slow process.
I’m going to carry on and hope for clear water soon.
When the pool passes the overnight test, I will test everything.
What is the order to address chemicals?

 

[mknauss]

Is CYA reading accurate during SLAM?

yes.

What is the order to address chemicals?

Once you pass the three criteria for a successful SLAM, let FC lower to target range. Test pH and TA. Adjust pH to the 7's, if necessary.