Waiting on test kit.

[JRichardson]

We just had a pool completed in July. I'm wanting to get my head and hands around taking care of this thing. I had a neighbor refer me to this site and wow what an awesome site! I have a TF-100 test kit on the way and will probably arrive in a few days. In the mean time I think I'm having a mustard algae problem and the water is cloudy. Because I have no other options at this point I took a water sample to Leslie's and the readings (according to them) were:
FC 5.38
TC 5.38
pH 7.9
TA 89
CH 116
CYA 49
Phos 456

In searching through this site it looks like I will need to SLAM when my test kit comes in. Any other recommendations in the meantime? Thanks so much.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! Good to hear you have a good teat kit on the way. For now though, I would just be patient. A pool your size you can easily add 1/2 gallon of liquid chlorine each day and that will be fine. As for potential algae, we'll cross that bridge once you post your own test results.

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

 

[JRichardson]

Perfect! Thank you sir!

 

[JRichardson]

So my TF-100 kit came in... Performed my first test and these were the results.
FC 6
CC .5
CYA 40
Ph 7.9
TA 130
CH 125
My water does have slight greenish tint to it and when I brush once a day I stir up yellow/brownish clouds. According to these numbers it doesnt look like I should SLAM but I'm thinking I have algea. Thoughts?

 

[mknauss]

If you have debris as you describe, follow the SLAM Process

 

[JRichardson]

I'm about to start my first SLAM. The water is pretty dark green and can barely see the bottom drains. My current numbers are:
Total Chlorine 8.5
FC 8
Ph 7.4
CYA 40
CC .5
TA 100
CH 150
According to the chart, at CYA of 40 in need FC at 16. I plan on doing this with liquid chlorine. If I'm calculating this right Pool Math says I should add just under 2 gallons?? Also, should I turn off my SWG while performing the SLAM?

 

[mknauss]

If I'm calculating this right Pool Math says I should add just under 2 gallons??

Yes. That will add just over 8 ppm FC to your pool volume.

Also, should I turn off my SWG while performing the SLAM?

Yes.
As your FC consumption slows down later in the process, You can restart your SWCG. Though remember, with your SWCG, it will only add 6 ppm FC per DAY if run at 100% for 24 hours.

 

[JRichardson]

Though remember, with your SWCG, it will only add 6 ppm FC per DAY if run at 100% for 24 hours.

How will I know how long I should run my pump and at what % to set the SWCG for? I'm kinda confused as to how much chlorine it will produce at different run times and percentages.

 

[mknauss]

PoolMath
Effect of Adding Chemicals. Upper left menu.

You adjust your SWCG so that you stay within a safe range of your Target Level based on the FC/CYA Levels.
Raise your FC using liquid chlorine to your Target level. Then run your system for a day. If your FC drops, raise the % generation or run time. Do this for a few days and you will get your SWCG set so it staying around the Target level, without going below the Minimum.

 

[JRichardson]

Does CYA change while SLAMing the pool? Curious if I should be performing this test as often as I am checking the FC during SLAM. Want to make sure I'm staying with the right amount of liquid chlorine needed.

 

[mknauss]

Does CYA change while SLAMing the pool?

Only if you add CYA or you drain over 15% of your pool water.

 

[JRichardson]

Well looks like I'm getting closer to completing the SLAM process. My water is now clear, CC is 0 but I did lose 2 ppm of FC last night from 19 to 17. Because of this loss I'm assuming I should continue the process? I brushed the pool yesterday evening and this morning I had 2 small piles of where it looks like the algea may have "settled" after brushing. Should I vacuum the pool to get rid of this or continue to brush?
Also, in the mustard algae section I was reading about after performing the normal SLAM I should bring the FC up even higher for 24 hrs for a mustard algae SLAM. Is this correct?

 

[Mdragger88]

If Your cya is 40ppm your slam level is 16ppm - going higher just donates chlorine to the sun & risks damage to equipment, surfaces, & swimmers.
Keep going until u meet all 3 end of slam criteria- you’re almost there! AFTER passing all 3 you would then raise to Mustard algea fc levels for 24/hrs

Chlorine/CYA Chart

EDIT: You will find a simplified and standardized version of this chart at Pool School, Chlorine / CYA Chart. Chlorine/CYA Chart by Chemgeek FC = Free Chlorine in parts-per-million (ppm) CYA = Cyanuric Acid in parts-per-million (ppm) CYA ........... Min FC3 ..... Target FC ...... Yel/Mstrd...

www.troublefreepool.com

&
do as this guide states

Mustard Algae

Today We are going to show you how you can get rid of mustard algae in your pool. By following the steps in this guide and with no expensive chemicals.

www.troublefreepool.com

After this you may want to keep your fc level elevated to the yellow/mustard minimum listed in the chart above for a little while if you’re certain it was mustard algae & not just regular algae.

 

[JRichardson]

After this you may want to keep your fc level elevated to the yellow/mustard minimum listed in the chart above for a little while if you’re certain it was mustard algae & not just regular algae.

Well I'm just assuming its mustard algae because of the brown/yellow color of the cloud it creates when I brush. I was wondering what the min FC for mustard algae was meant for. So I should keep my FC to that min mustard level after the SLAM/Mustard algae SLAM but for how long?

 

[Flying Tivo]

Mustard algae is not that common and easily mistaken. I would just finish the regular SLAM and keep your levels accordingly to FC/CYA Levels. If it comes back, then i would treat it as mustard.

 

[Mdragger88]

Regular algae can be brown.
Mustard algae usually occurs on the wall & the shady side of the pool.
if u find it returns at target range for your cya you would go back to maintaining the ma min. However if u look @ manually chlorinated high targets you will see they are similar to ma minimums.
After you are done slamming,
When u increase your cya to the 60-70 range
(which is recommended so your swg can maintain proper fc levels in your climate)
You should aim for a little above target for your cya. Dose with liquid chlorine & then see how the swg maintains. This way you have some wiggle room for extra sunny days, higher bather loads etc. Minimum is the no no zone .

 

[TexEdmond]

Now that you've got your test kit it's a good idea to test the well water you'll be using to refill the pool. Vinyl pools aren't as finicky about calcium hardness, but you might be in a situation where your fill water is very high alkalinity. This will mean you'll be using muriatic acid regularly to keep the pH and TA in check. Once you're out of the SLAM it's a good idea to bring CYA levels up to at least 70 so your SWG will have a fighting chance to keep your FC levels stable without overworking itself.

If you prefer spreadsheets to dink around with SWG and pump runtime settings, try this:

SWG Run Time Calculator

What is the SWG Run Time Calculator? A tool that is designed to answer the common question of "how long should I run my pump/SWG". It calculates the run time of your SWG and Pump based on your pool size, the output of your SWG and your daily FC PPM loss. It is designed as a starting point...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[JRichardson]

Going on day 5 of the SLAM process. I was hoping this mornings test would show that I was done. I've had beautiful crystal clear water for the past 3 days with a couple of those mornings showing OCLT to be 1. I would have 2 small areas in the evenings where stuff was accumulating is the only reason I haven't stopped the process yet. I vacuumed that up and it hasn't returned. This mornings OCLT was 2 . I guess I should keep going even though I've had several mornings that only showed a loss of 1? And CC has been 0 to .5 this entire time.

 

[mknauss]

You are not saving your test results to Poolmath. Please do that so we can see trends, etc.

 

[Texas Splash]

Can you post a couple pics of your pool from different angles? It might help for us to see everything.