Algae Help!

[HermanTX]

So let’s say this works and I’m good for tomorrow, how am I suppose maintain my water at the cya/FC ratio of my FC is going to be high for a while?

You need to be patient and do a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test tomorrow night and maintain your FC at 28 (or above). It is OK to overshoot. The calculations are not perfect because you may not have an exact 25,000 gal pool so there is always some tolerance in the calculations.

I only know there are 2 run speeds on the pump high and low. Based on my pool at 25,000 how many hours do I do at high and at low speed at 60%.

You have a variable speed pump so you can set more than 2 speeds. That is probably what they did at the beginning but that is an overkill for you need. As indicated by others, since you are running 12 hours a day - set your 12 hours to run at the minimum speed it takes to keep your flow switch on your SWCG operating. Therefore your SWCG will always be producing chlorine for those 12 hours. Now if you want to do some high speed skimming, set your pump to go to a higher speed for lets say, 1 hour in the morning and another hour in the afternoon. The SWCG will still produce chlorine during those times but you will also have better skimming.

Do you have an automation system or are can you program on your pump directly (it would have a touch screen or similar)? Can you provide the model number of your Hayward pump and we can help with new programing.

 

[poolmom21]

You need to be patient and do a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test tomorrow night and maintain your FC at 28 (or above). It is OK to overshoot. The calculations are not perfect because you may not have an exact 25,000 gal pool so there is always some tolerance in the calculations.

You have a variable speed pump so you can set more than 2 speeds. That is probably what they did at the beginning but that is an overkill for you need. As indicated by others, since you are running 12 hours a day - set your 12 hours to run at the minimum speed it takes to keep your flow switch on your SWCG operating. Therefore your SWCG will always be producing chlorine for those 12 hours. Now if you want to do some high speed skimming, set your pump to go to a higher speed for lets say, 1 hour in the morning and another hour in the afternoon. The SWCG will still produce chlorine during those times but you will also have better skimming.

Do you have an automation system or are can you program on your pump directly (it would have a touch screen or similar)? Can you provide the model number of your Hayward pump and we can help with new programing.

 

[poolmom21]

Should I be running the file yet at 3450 rpm during Slam 24 hours or do I reduce the speed?

 

[HermanTX]

Should I be running the file yet at 3450 rpm during Slam 24 hours or do I reduce the speed?

You have 4 speeds (probably pre-programed) on your pump. Have you selected the other speeds to determine what they run at?
You do not need to run at 3450rpm during he SLAM, all you need to do is circulate. Can you try the other speed buttons to see what rpm they run at? Also, do you have a label on the pump that you can take a picture of? I would run at 1500 to 2000 rpm if one of those speeds fall in that range.

 

[poolmom21]

You have 4 speeds (probably pre-programed) on your pump. Have you selected the other speeds to determine what they run at?
You do not need to run at 3450rpm during he SLAM, all you need to do is circulate. Can you try the other speed buttons to see what rpm they run at? Also, do you have a label on the pump that you can take a picture of? I would run at 1500 to 2000 rpm if one of those speeds fall in that range.

Yes. It has 4 options to set rpms. Only high is programmed and the 50% is set up.

 

[HermanTX]

Very helpful. Haywood SP3400VSP pump. I tried to attach the manual but it is too big. See the link to download

https://hayward-pool-assets.com/assets/documents/pools/pdf/manuals/EcoStar-IS3401VSP.pdf?fromCDN=true

You can scroll down to page 18 where the Menu screen is discussed. You may want to verify first that your date and time are correct on the pump. Then go to the Timer menu and the Preset speed menu. The timer menu is to set programs such as setting 1500rpm from 8am to 8pm every day. Example only.
Then the preset menu is to program the buttons 1 thru 4 which are quick changes to your pump speed if needed. Your pump originally came with preset speeds of 1) 1000 rpm, 2) 1750 rpm 3) 2500 rpm and 4) 3250 rpm. So someone may have already altered them.

 

[poolmom21]

Interesting. I will read through manual to see what settings are recomended. We never even changed the settings from when it was installed and set by the servicing company at that time. I know that when it’s in slow speed our inpool vacuum doesn’t run since there isn’t enough force to make it move.

 

[Oly]

This may not be the right time.....but take a look at the new tech for pool cleaning. Cleans better, much cheaper to run, and removes all debris out of your pool water so not fouling your filter. Disclaimer, >$700.

 

[poolmom21]

Kinda frustrated here. Ok so yesterday
My
2 pm reading was 27.5 FC added 13 oz of Lc
4 pm 26 FC added 51 oz lc
6:35 26 FC added 51 oz LC

then I lowered the pump down 50% for the night
At 7:35pm

8:25 FC read at 32.5 didn’t add
9:45 FC read at 32.5 didn’t add
Not sure why it read higher than my target SLAM of 28 fc

5 am tested water for overnight loss
FC 28.5

I know the FC is higher than my target 28 FC but it dropped 4ppm so that means I’m still not in the clear right?
At 7 am the pump will run at high

this is more of a loss of FC with LC then when I did the overnight test on 8/13-8/14 with a loss of 1.5 ppm.

so I am to continue right? The water smells like chlorine big time HELP.

 

[newdude]

this is more of a loss of FC with LC then when I did the overnight test on 8/13-8/14 with a loss of 1.5 ppm.

so I am to continue right? The water smells like chlorine big time HELP.

It’s ok and part of the process. It doesn’t always go in the downward direction of FC consumption. If you brushed new stuffs up that got killed and you used more. It’s a good thing that stuffs got killed but I get the disheartening feeling. Throw it away !!! You are an algae killing machine !! No Mercy.

The chlorine smell is your CCs which is the byproduct of your FC going to work. It’s further proof that you’re killing.

You are killing it both figuratively and literally. Stay the course. You got this !!

 

[HermanTX]

+1 with @Newdude. Stay the course!!! It is not uncommon to take a step back before you make progress.
Remember that calculations are never perfect. You are using an estimated pool volume, your FC testing is only good to +/- 0.5 so that can vary - especially if you are tired at night, etc.

Also, your overnight loss is mainly due to algae being killed. During the day you are fighting UV consuming FC as well as killing algae. So keep your FC up high.

Hopefully you have got your resolution with your test kit with TFTestkits group.

 

[pb4uswim]

Poolmom,
I’ve been reading your posts and have a few suggestions. First, congratulations on your progress so far. It may not seem like it, but you’re doing great. It will take time to learn all you have to learn so calm down and just keep reading and working the problem. Second, stop going to the pool store except for supplies. While it’s true that things can be bought elsewhere and probably cheaper, I still get my chlorine and MA at the pool store. I also picked up some CYA there this year. But stop having them test your water. It will drive you crazy. You will become more comfortable with your results soon enough. Third, I saw a post about your husband. Tell him to sit this one out. You’ll both be better off right now if only one person handles this. I’ve seen this with my brother and sister-in-law. My wife helps me, but I run the show. My sister-in-law handles their pool now that she has clarified who’s pool boss.

Last. Please don’t give up. There was a guy here recently and the group tried to help him and he gave up and we never found out what happened. I assure you, these folks know what they’re doing. You will have a clear pool and it will be much easier to maintain once you get it under control and once you learn a few things.

 

[newdude]

Second, stop going to the pool store except for supplies. While it’s true that things can be bought elsewhere and probably cheaper, I still get my chlorine and MA at the pool store. I also picked up some CYA there this year

+1. Often times the basics can be had all in one place and it may not be worth it to go to 3 other places to save on Baking Soda to go with the bleach that only the pool store had today.

But the key is that *you* make the call of what you wish to buy from them because *you* know what you’re actually buying AND what you actually needed to start.

 

[poolmom21]

It’s ok and part of the process. It doesn’t always go in the downward direction of FC consumption. If you brushed new stuffs up that got killed and you used more. It’s a good thing that stuffs got killed but I get the disheartening feeling. Throw it away !!! You are an algae killing machine !! No Mercy.

The chlorine smell is your CCs which is the byproduct of your FC going to work. It’s further proof that you’re killing.

You are killing it both figuratively and literally. Stay the course. You got this !!

Thanks! I will keep up with SLAM today and see how the OCLT test goes tomorrow. My husband thinks I’m adding ALOT of LC….I’m trusting the process

 

[pb4uswim]

My husband thinks I’m adding ALOT of LC….I’m trusting the process

“You have to make sure you know why you are going to war and then use decisive force to end it as soon as possible.”

Colin Powell

 

[poolmom21]

Ok. Been adding LC throughout the day. My last drop of LC was at 5 pm
FC 25.5 so I added 64 ounces to bring it to Fc28 target number
I checked right now I got a FC of 29
I was thinking it was going to drop so I was expecting to add LC. But it didn’t so I’m going to use that number as my range for the OCLT. Still have the pump running Will check FC at 5 am. Water looks super clean and I don’t have CC. What is weird about it is that the water doesn’t have such a strong Chlorine smell like it did this morning at 5 am. Also, my arm is not irritated or itchy or dry or anything from getting water from the pool to test the water. That is the CYA in the water correct?

 

[newdude]

Water looks super clean and I don’t have CC. What is weird about it is that the water doesn’t have such a strong Chlorine smell like it did this morning at 5 am

CCs make the smell. Its part of the chlorine doing its thing and it probably still was this morning. No CCs, no smell and you might be nearing the end of the battle. If you are, hold it for an extra day. It's much simpler to keep this part going than it was to start the process. Which is where it will be if you end too early. Do it once and do it right. You got this.

, my arm is not irritated or itchy or dry or anything from getting water from the pool to test the water. That is the CYA in the water correct?

Probably. CCs can cause irritations also, and certain bacterias as well. I forget the fancy medical name but Google 'swimmers itch' for the bacteria info.

 

[PoolStored]

Ok. Been adding LC throughout the day. My last drop of LC was at 5 pm
FC 25.5 so I added 64 ounces to bring it to Fc28 target number
I checked right now I got a FC of 29
I was thinking it was going to drop so I was expecting to add LC. But it didn’t so I’m going to use that number as my range for the OCLT. Still have the pump running Will check FC at 5 am. Water looks super clean and I don’t have CC. What is weird about it is that the water doesn’t have such a strong Chlorine smell like it did this morning at 5 am. Also, my arm is not irritated or itchy or dry or anything from getting water from the pool to test the water. That is the CYA in the water correct?

Can't comment on smell or itchy arm with high FC or CYA as cause. I can say, when I'm not in slam and I keep my FC right relative to CA, I have no smell or skin problems. I have asked every visitor this summer (we've had over 20) and everybody comments it is great, no eye issues, skin issues or smell issues.

Good luck on the SLAM...I think you are close. I was nervous every night. Couldn't sleep. Now I have complete faith, and understand. I'd sleep like a baby if I were you tonight. Your are on the right path.

 

[poolmom21]

Can't comment on smell or itchy arm with high FC or CYA as cause. I can say, when I'm not in slam and I keep my FC right relative to CA, I have no smell or skin problems. I have asked every visitor this summer (we've had over 20) and everybody comments it is great, no eye issues, skin issues or smell issues.

Good luck on the SLAM...I think you are close. I was nervous every night. Couldn't sleep. Now I have complete faith, and understand. I'd sleep like a baby if I were you tonight. Your are on the right path.

So you’re suggesting if I was to be in the clear in the morning to do slam another day?

 

[poolmom21]

CCs make the smell. Its part of the chlorine doing its thing and it probably still was this morning. No CCs, no smell and you might be nearing the end of the battle. If you are, hold it for an extra day. It's much simpler to keep this part going than it was to start the process. Which is where it will be if you end too early. Do it once and do it right. You got this.

Probably. CCs can cause irritations also, and certain bacterias as well. I forget the fancy medical name but Google 'swimmers itch' for the bacteria info.

So you’re suggesting if I was to be in the clear in the morning to do slam another day?