Algae Help!

[poolmom21]

25000
Salt water Hayward SWG
Hi, I recently started Servicing our pool. Up to then the pool has been shocked (don’t know what was added) adviced on I creasing my chorinarion to 100% run filter on high for 12 hours. When I took over FC is over 6. Calcium is 423. I have been adding chlorine equalizer every week for 3 weeks to try to bring the FC down. And since then have reduced the chlorination to 50%. I had water tested yesterday and FC still high. This morning I saw algae blooming on the bottom floor of pool. And scrubbed and will manually vacuum. Our weather is 115 plus. What can I do to eliminate the algae blooming??

 

[HermanTX]

Can you post a full set of test results? need to understand what your CYA value is. Having a FC of 6ppm is not considered high unless you have zero CYA. Since you have algae, the assumption is your CYA is high and your FC is not high enough. Have you reviewed the FC/CYA Levels & ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry?

 

[poolmom21]

 

[poolmom21]

Can you post a full set of test results? need to understand what your CYA value is. Having a FC of 6ppm is not considered high unless you have zero CYA. Since you have algae, the assumption is your CYA is high and your FC is not high enough. Have you reviewed the FC/CYA Levels & ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry?

 

[poolmom21]

These are the results as of yesterday. I have added acid and PH levels are good and in range as of total using the water test kit.

 

[poolmom21]

These are the results as of yesterday. I have added acid and PH levels are good and in range as of total using the water test kit. I M new to all of this so I dont understand a lot of the chemicals and or pool stuff. I am learning

 

[HermanTX]

These are the results as of yesterday. I have added acid and PH levels are good and in range as of total using the water test kit. I M new to all of this so I dont understand a lot of the chemicals and or pool stuff. I am learning

There is lots of help on the forum so just ask if you do not understand. This process can help you kill all the algae and have a crystal clear pool at half the cost that pool store will want to sell you stuff.

First, this appears to be test results from a pool store. Pool store testing is highly unreliable and it is suggested you do your own testing if you really want to take control. The pool store is crazy for telling you a FC of 6ppm is too high when we are in the middle of summer and UV constantly eats away at your FC level. You do not need to buy anything to lower your FC, it will decline simply due to sunshine. Furthermore, pool stores want to test your water because they can sell you unneeded items. Please review Test Kits Compared and purchase your test kit.

If your test results could be believed then a CYA of 50 requires a FC level of 6 to 8ppm. So you are not high but on the low end and in the summer it is always best to error on the high side of the range. In TFP we follow a simply chart which was given earlier but here is again. FC/CYA Levels. Look at your CYA level and then look at your target FC level. To avoid algae you need to stay in that range throughout the day or you risk having algae.

Don't worry about the phosphate and calcium levels at this time. That can be reviewed later.

I think you have a saltwater chlorine generator so you need to read the lower half of the chart. In fact, you should target to increase your CYA but lets get rid of algae first.

You need to purchase liquid chlorine and raise your FC level to 20ppm. This is part of our SLAM Process which you need to read and get familiar with. Once you start your SLAM, turn off your SWCG as you will be using liquid chlorine to raise and maintain your FC level to rid your pool of algae. Also, it is best you have your own test kit because you will need to test your water every 4 -5 hours during a SLAM (during day light hours).

Once you review you can come back for questions.

 

[poolmom21]

Oh, this confused me more, I have a standard pool kit that tests chlorine, ph, and alkalinity. I will invest in a TF100 kit plus add the salt test as well. So in the meantime, until I figure how much chlorine to add to my pool should I increase my chlorinator back to 70% since I had lowered it down to 50%? Also, should I add more instant conditioner to bring up the CYA? I will be investing in the membership here to get help.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
You say you have some algae. As you cannot get proper water chemistry data until you get your test kit, I would advise you to set your T15 SWCG (confirm that is what you have) to 100% for 18 hours each day. That will generate 5 ppm FC per day in your pool. I would leave the CYA as is as you do not know what the level is. Brush the pool each day.
When you get your test kit, run a full suite of tests and post them here.
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.

 

[poolmom21]

Welcome to the forum!
You say you have some algae. As you cannot get proper water chemistry data until you get your test kit, I would advise you to set your T15 SWCG (confirm that is what you have) to 100% for 18 hours each day. That will generate 5 ppm FC per day in your pool. I would leave the CYA as is as you do not know what the level is. Brush the pool each day.
When you get your test kit, run a full suite of tests and post them here.
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.

Thank you. I went ahead and ordered the kit and paid for the TFP app membership. How many days should I super chlorinate at 100%? Or should I use the super boost on my SWG for the 24-hour setting that it has?

 

[mknauss]

We recommend adding 5 ppm of FC per day until you can properly test your water chemistry. So the 18 hours at 100% will provide that in your pool. Leave it set like that until you get the kit.

Be careful using your current pH/TC test kit as it will not be accurate with the FC above 3 ppm.

 

[poolmom21]

Welcome to the forum!
You say you have some algae. As you cannot get proper water chemistry data until you get your test kit, I would advise you to set your T15 SWCG (confirm that is what you have) to 100% for 18 hours each day. That will generate 5 ppm FC per day in your pool. I would leave the CYA as is as you do not know what the level is. Brush the pool each day.
When you get your test kit, run a full suite of tests and post them here.
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.

Thank you. I do have a question. As I read the SLAM process it calls for bleach/liquid chlorine. Excuse my ignorance but are we talking like Clorox Bleach from stores like Walmart, Sam's etc. What should I be looking for as far as strength %?

 

[mknauss]

Best is to get liquid chlorine. Most Walmart/Home Depot/Lowes/Ace Hardware carry it. Can be called Chlorinating Liquid, Liquid Shock, etc. Strength is typically 10% or 12.5%.
Household bleach is hard to find in a plain form. Most all have scents/splashless/Fabric Protection. Those items can cause foaming or cloudy water.

 

[poolmom21]

Best is to get liquid chlorine. Most Walmart/Home Depot/Lowes/Ace Hardware carry it. Can be called Chlorinating Liquid, Liquid Shock, etc. Strength is typically 10% or 12.5%.
Household bleach is hard to find in a plain form. Most all have scents/splashless/Fabric Protection. Those items can cause foaming or cloudy water.

Ok. But let me ask you, I’m reading that the ideal FC should be at 3 ppm. When is that achieved? Is that ideal number for winter months or all year round? And if so, how can that be maintained If the cya/FC charts don’t focus on the 3 ppm rather than a balance of one another? That is why Leslie’s Pool store sold me the chlorine neutralizer because they stated that the FC was high and that I needed to bring it down to 3 ppm. But I noticed that the more I lowered the daily swg chlorination and more I added of the neutralizer the algae would bloom. Also what is the recommended % I should keep my swg chlorination Daily during summer/winter? I have Hayward pool variable pump system.

 

[mknauss]

I’m reading that the ideal FC should be at 3 ppm.

Where are you reading that? FC level is based on CYA level. See FC/CYA Levels

That is why Leslie’s Pool store

You have a decision to make. Follow the pool store advice or TFPC. They are not compatible. Pool stores primary mission is to sell you something. TFPC primary mission is for you to have a safe and sanitary pool experience.

Also what is the recommended % I should keep my swg chlorination Daily during summer/winter?

Depends on what your pool needs. You test your pool water chemistry and adjust the SWCG to maintain your target FC based on your CYA level.

 

[HermanTX]

TFP is a methodology that is different from pool store. It may help to read this

What is TFPC?

We believe any pool owner can achieve and maintain safe, crystal clear pool water, by using the science-based, Trouble Free Pool Care (TFPC) methodology.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[HermanTX]

That is why Leslie’s Pool store sold me the chlorine neutralizer because they stated that the FC was high and that I needed to bring it down to 3 ppm. But I noticed that the more I lowered the daily swg chlorination and more I added of the neutralizer the algae would bloom.

I think you answered your own concern. By the pool store selling you something they actually created a problem. And their new solution will be to sell you more stuff to resolve the problem they created.
As Marty stated - you have to trust the TFP methodology or put your fate in the hands of the pool store process.

 

[poolmom21]

Where are you reading that? FC level is based on CYA level. See FC/CYA Levels

You have a decision to make. Follow the pool store advice or TFPC. They are not compatible. Pool stores primary mission is to sell you something. TFPC primary mission is for you to have a safe and sanitary pool experience.

Depends on what your pool needs. You test your pool water chemistry and adjust the SWCG to maintain your target FC based on your CYA level.

For about three weeks I just been reading things online. Many dilfferent info websites that offer info I.e. swim university, Inyo pools etc and I assumed also because the pool master kit I bought (which will be replaced by the new kit advised here) had that range being ideal at 3 ppm.

yes, from now on I will be following this forums advice. I ordered the kit and even downloaded the app and got the annual membership. I’m committed and I am great full to have found this forum for advice.

I’m new to this so I was going with information that apparently was incorrect. I got tired of paying $150. Month for our pool and always having issues and felt that the service people were blaming the issues on me. That we had sensitive eyes and skin and that is why we were having reActions to the water or the water always being dull/cloudy etc. Then I fell for the pool store advice which didn’t help. And here I am learning and trying to get my pool water back on tip top shape with the help of TFP.

 

[Lilypad]

put your fate in the hands of the pool store process

And if you do, expect to be buying $$$ worth of "try this and come back if it doesn’t take care of it".
Know what you’re putting in your pool. Know why. We will help!

It’s what we’ve all learned here and are happy and proud to have pools that look like this:

How Clear is TFP Clear? Let's See (Pics Only Please).

How clear should my water be? A very common question. Here is mine on a calm morning where I could finally vacuum. Yes I know, I'm still manually vacuuming. It took me 7 years to finally get an SWG, I'm working on a robot. :) So now let's see your water clarity.

www.troublefreepool.com

EDIT: Just saw your reply! Can see you’re onboard! Welcome!

 

[mknauss]

Great. Your climate is similar to mine. Your pool should be easy to manage chemistry wise.

Do you have a whole house water softener? Are you able to use softened water for your fill water due to evaporation?

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