- Jun 22, 2019
- 338
- Pool Size
- 2300
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
Thanks for the help. Is there a specific concentration of TSP recommended?
My sad 2021 SLAM thread - sunscreen, not algae? Draining and refilling was the solution
- Thread starter crimson avenger
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 58,383
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
From Cartridge Filter Use and Care - Further Reading
one cup trisodium phosphate (TSP) to five gallons water.
- Jun 22, 2019
- 338
- Pool Size
- 2300
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
- Jun 22, 2019
- 338
- Pool Size
- 2300
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
It’s nice to live 3 minutes from the local hardware store. Took my spare filters out of storage, Re-washed, soaked for 1 hr in TSP, then washed again. Replaced with the newly washed filters. The old filters that were in seemed pretty white and un-gummed.
Not sure what that means for my hypothesis that sunscreen is the sole cause here.
I'm thinking with all those parties you're having, you're likely getting a lot of body lotions, hair products, and such in the water which does leave behind schmutz that the chlorine is having to oxidize. After big parties I would suggest raising your FC level up to SLAM level for a day and see if that helps avoid problems days later.
Maddie
Maddie
- Jun 22, 2019
- 338
- Pool Size
- 2300
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
8 pm - FC 24.5
4:30 am - FC 19, CC 0.5. Mostly clear
Added 2 cups 12.5% - post check 26 ppm
Is it a filter problem?
Another thought I had - the cartridge I pulled out yesterday looked brand new. White. I’m sure from just SLAMMING. No algae/gunk. Does that have any significance? I’m fairly certain the filters are properly positioned in the cartridge although I’m not an expert. Is this a filtration problem? PSI is at 8 - what I usually expect for 1800 rpm on my pump.
Is it a chemistry problem?
I’ve tested my CYA multiple times against the 50 ppm standard. My CYA is solidly 60.
According to pool math I’ve added enough CYA this year to reach 65 ppm.
maybe I should just pretend my CYA is closer to 70 and bump up FC to 28? I’ve never had to SLAM this long, and whenever I have reached the slam level previously, my pool has immediately been crystal clear. Not the case this time.
I guess I’ll keep SLAMMING.
I’m hoping a prolonged SLAM isn’t going to prematurely oxidize my fiberglass gelcoat.
Considering draining/cleaning/refilling at this point.
Approaching desperation - I know that’s the case when I’m thinking about calling my pool company for help.
4:30 am - FC 19, CC 0.5. Mostly clear
Added 2 cups 12.5% - post check 26 ppm
Is it a filter problem?
Another thought I had - the cartridge I pulled out yesterday looked brand new. White. I’m sure from just SLAMMING. No algae/gunk. Does that have any significance? I’m fairly certain the filters are properly positioned in the cartridge although I’m not an expert. Is this a filtration problem? PSI is at 8 - what I usually expect for 1800 rpm on my pump.
Is it a chemistry problem?
I’ve tested my CYA multiple times against the 50 ppm standard. My CYA is solidly 60.
According to pool math I’ve added enough CYA this year to reach 65 ppm.
maybe I should just pretend my CYA is closer to 70 and bump up FC to 28? I’ve never had to SLAM this long, and whenever I have reached the slam level previously, my pool has immediately been crystal clear. Not the case this time.
I guess I’ll keep SLAMMING.
I’m hoping a prolonged SLAM isn’t going to prematurely oxidize my fiberglass gelcoat.
Considering draining/cleaning/refilling at this point.
Approaching desperation - I know that’s the case when I’m thinking about calling my pool company for help.
Last edited:
- Jun 22, 2019
- 338
- Pool Size
- 2300
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
I did for a couple of days and it didn’t make a difference. Otherwise the cover has been off a couple hours per day.
I believe leaving the cover off is preferred, not sure how much difference it makes.
- Jun 22, 2019
- 338
- Pool Size
- 2300
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
I went the drain, scrub, refill route. I couldn’t justify continuing to try to treat 2300 gallons of unwilling water. I’m 2 1/2 weeks and with out any results.
I drained the pool, scrubbed it with a very dilute solution of bleach, took the lights out of the niches and there was absolutely nothing that came out. I took the drain covers off and they were pristine, as well as the PVC pipe it was covering. No hints of algae anywhere.
My filters were washed with the TSP solution yesterday and they are in the filter cartridge.
Any out of the box ideas? Is this non-algae biofilm coating my plumbing? Is it possible I need to do some sort of hot tub (Ahhsome) treatment as well?
I pray this is the end…
I drained the pool, scrubbed it with a very dilute solution of bleach, took the lights out of the niches and there was absolutely nothing that came out. I took the drain covers off and they were pristine, as well as the PVC pipe it was covering. No hints of algae anywhere.
My filters were washed with the TSP solution yesterday and they are in the filter cartridge.
Any out of the box ideas? Is this non-algae biofilm coating my plumbing? Is it possible I need to do some sort of hot tub (Ahhsome) treatment as well?
I pray this is the end…
Last edited:
- Jun 22, 2019
- 338
- Pool Size
- 2300
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
8:30 pm - FC 11, CC 0 - left cover off
04:00 am - FC 10.5, CC 0.5 (CYA presumed 0), TFP-approved crystal clear. I wonder if those CCs are from sunscreen, not algae as this is fresh fill.
I’m going to work for 10 hours (can’t work from home now)!
Ill leave the cover on so my FC doesn’t burn off.
I want to pass two more OCLTs to be fully confident… then I’ll add my CYA.
04:00 am - FC 10.5, CC 0.5 (CYA presumed 0), TFP-approved crystal clear. I wonder if those CCs are from sunscreen, not algae as this is fresh fill.
I’m going to work for 10 hours (can’t work from home now)!
Ill leave the cover on so my FC doesn’t burn off.
I want to pass two more OCLTs to be fully confident… then I’ll add my CYA.
Last edited:
- Jun 22, 2019
- 338
- Pool Size
- 2300
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
I’ve been getting so many readings of CC 1 that I’m a little gunshy to pull the trigger and call it done.
- Jun 22, 2019
- 338
- Pool Size
- 2300
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
8 pm - FC 11.5, CC 0
4 am - FC 11.0, CC 0, crystal clear.
I’ve passed 2 OCLTs in a row so I’m going to call that good.
I have learned a lesson with this 2.5 week ordeal - draining and refilling (a plunge pool) is much more satisfying than a prolonged slam, quicker, with a lower likelihood of prematurely oxidizing my gelcoat. I’m going to keep it in my armamentarium.
I feel like this recommendation should at the forefront on the board when it comes to spas and plunge pools where the costs of refilling are negligible.
4 am - FC 11.0, CC 0, crystal clear.
I’ve passed 2 OCLTs in a row so I’m going to call that good.
I have learned a lesson with this 2.5 week ordeal - draining and refilling (a plunge pool) is much more satisfying than a prolonged slam, quicker, with a lower likelihood of prematurely oxidizing my gelcoat. I’m going to keep it in my armamentarium.
I feel like this recommendation should at the forefront on the board when it comes to spas and plunge pools where the costs of refilling are negligible.
- Jun 22, 2019
- 338
- Pool Size
- 2300
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
I wanted to continue SLAM two days beyond passing OCLT. As far as I understand that level is 10 ppm. I realize it’s overshot a little it.
It’s my plan this afternoon. Had a 12 hour day of surgery yesterday. Boo!
It’s my plan this afternoon. Had a 12 hour day of surgery yesterday. Boo!
Believe me I know what long hours are. I babysit criminals n work 16hr shifts.
- Jun 22, 2019
- 338
- Pool Size
- 2300
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
I’ve got 30 ppm of cyanuric acid added to a sock over a return! In my shaded, auto cover - covered plunge pool.
- Jun 22, 2019
- 338
- Pool Size
- 2300
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
I have never had this pool behave so well.
It was drained and refilled before, but never scrubbed fully, and drain covers never removed and scrubbed.
7 pm - FC 10, CC 0.5
5 am - FC 10, CC 0.5
I lost only 1 ppm in the last 24 hours. That’s never happened!
I’m calling it a success story.
It was drained and refilled before, but never scrubbed fully, and drain covers never removed and scrubbed.
7 pm - FC 10, CC 0.5
5 am - FC 10, CC 0.5
I lost only 1 ppm in the last 24 hours. That’s never happened!
I’m calling it a success story.
4”? Gross. Do you have a picture?
6 people is a lot in our 450 gallon hot tub, and nobody is wearing sunscreen. 18 people in a 2200 gallon pool all wearing sunscreen to the point you had a massive ball of it in your skimmer? I suspect this was just a massive load on the chlorine, and oils don’t break down nearly as easily as typical bodily wastes (sweat/etc).
The guide for temporary pools (~3000 gallons or less) does indeed say this. I’ve recommended it as an option to people with Intex style pools even bigger if water is cheap. One time I let my 450 gallon spa get out of wack because I forgot to add chlorine after a night of partying, then forgot the next morning and the next two mornings. Water became cloudy. I tried slamming and after a week or more I still had some nasty CC’s and ended up draining and refilling anyway with the usual Ahh-Some purge. So I will never try to SLAM a hot tub if I let the water get that far out of wack again (which hopefully I will not do!).