Brand new pool owner- yellow or mustard?

[tkbutler4]

Brand new home owner plus pool owner.

First step- I want to know exactly how many gallons my pool is. Can I look that up somewhere in my purchase documents? I know I could measure, but I’m an exact kinda person and I don’t know the depth.

2nd- Returned home from a two week trip and pool was green. From my reading it’s yellow algae. But I’m not sure of the difference between yellow and mustard. It does the poof when I brush.

3rd- I balanced and rebalanced, brushed my hands raw when I returned. Nothing helped, so I quit doing anything and ordered the TF100 kit. It arrives Monday, and it’s Saturday. It’s killing me to watch it just get worse, but I’m frightened I’ll do something wrong and have to drain it. And I don’t know how to do that or if I’m even allowed to in my HOA. What should I do until my TF100 arrives? I have a store bought liquid test kit. Help!

4. I’m brand new to this blog so I’ll try and figure out what to put in my signature now, sorry in advance. But here’s some photos. Gunite pool surface.

 

[HermanTX]

welcome to TFP.
Go buy 10 gals of liquid chlorine (LC). Since you are in Florida, you can purchase 2.5 gal containers from Pinch a Penny pool store or go buy individual gals at Walmart or Home Depot. Pour in 2 gals of LC now. Keep the pump running at least 12 hrs. You have a single speed pump so do not want to run up your electric bill but you will need to run it more once you start to clean up the pool after you get your test kit.

Did you build the pool? Do you have the purchase documentation? It should provide some estimate on the pool drawings of volume. Otherwise you will need to measure length and width and estimate average depth There are pool calculators on the site or on the web.

It appears you have a puck chlorinator in the picture. Did you add any pucks before you went away?

Do you know when you cleaned the filter last? You may want to do that this weekend before you start.
Please read up on SLAM Process

Also good to view and

 

[tkbutler4]

Thanks for the welcome and for the help! Im terrified!

I have solar so not worried about running the pool pump constantly except that it’s loud.

I’ll check the home purchase documents tomorrow on the pool size. Otherwise I guess I’ll stick a fishing poll down in the deep end and measure that.

I have 4 2.5 gal containers that I just keep running down and refilling as needed.

I just poured half a gallon of Mur Acid in today around noon. I have no idea what the CYA levels are. If I want to avoid draining the pool unless absolutely necessary because I don’t know how, should I still add in the 2.5 gal first thing tomorrrow morning, and turn the pump on all day?

I didn’t do anything to the pool before I left, doh! So no pucks, no FC ugh!!! Tragic mistake!

I’ll clean the filter tomorrow. After hosing it, Pool guy told me to fill a five gallon bucket of water halfway pour 3 cups of Muriatic acid in it and soak it for 45min on each side. Cool to do that as well?

 

[HermanTX]

’ll check the home purchase documents tomorrow on the pool size. Otherwise I guess I’ll stick a fishing poll down in the deep end and measure that.

Post a picture of your pool. Is it rectangle? Just need the average depth so depth in deep end, depth in middle and depth in shallow end (past the steps.

I have 4 2.5 gal containers that I just keep running down and refilling as needed.

Great. You may need 10-15 gals once you begin to SLAM so just need to be prepared.

just poured half a gallon of Mur Acid in today around noon. I have no idea what the CYA levels are. If I want to avoid draining the pool unless absolutely necessary because I don’t know how, should I still add in the 2.5 gal first thing tomorrrow morning, and turn the pump on all day?

Lets not add MA anymore unless you can test the pH. Don't want that to go below 7 but you will want it in the low 7's to start the SLAM.
Testing your CYA will be key. Maybe post some more photos of your equipment pad from different angles and may be able to help guide if there is a way to drain. Another option is to buy a submersible pump to drain.
Adding LC now and tomorrow and the next day is just to try to keep the algae somewhat controlled. We are flying blind until you can test and know the volume of your pool. Both items are critical so we know how to proceed.

I’ll clean the filter tomorrow. After hosing it, Pool guy told me to fill a five gallon bucket of water halfway pour 3 cups of Muriatic acid in it and soak it for 45min on each side. Cool to do that as well?

You can just use your hose to clean the filter. If it has a lot of grime then some have used a mild mixture of MA but just try your hose first.

 

[tkbutler4]

Will do! Thanks!

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Welcome TK!

Lots of knowledgeable folks here ready to help. Tablets are bad news and you MAY need to exchange some water. No big deal, we can walk you through it. It will be the last time you'll need to do it if you stay the course with TFP methods.

Don't worry about the algae. It doesn't stand a chance.

There's a pool volume calculator on this page. It's pretty self-explanatory, but think averages when estimating dimensions.

PoolMath

Discover the calculator behind the perfect pool, PoolMath. Dealing with pools has allowed TFP to become the original authors of the best calculator on the net.

www.troublefreepool.com

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

Best wishes!

 

[tkbutler4]

I measured the acidity before I added the MA. FC is around zero. I’ve never measured the CYA. What’s the likelihood that it’s high?

 

[HermanTX]

I measured the acidity before I added the MA. FC is around zero. I’ve never measured the CYA. What’s the likelihood that it’s high?

Well we are still flying blind as we do not know the size of your pool. You indicate that you measured pH - how did you do that and what was the result? It was indicated that the TF-100 kit was due to arrive next week. Also, assume this is a newly purchased home that had a pool - so again assume the previous owners used pucks. Pucks raise CYA over time, especially if used exclusively.

Let us know when you can provide more info

 

[tkbutler4]

It's 28feet x 12 feet
Three depths: 3 ft shallow, 44 inches in the middle and 66 inches in the deep.
I put that all in a calculator and it's 10,700?

Here's a photo of the disgusting pool and filter.

Should I clean the filter before starting my slam? Or should I use a brand new filter?

Great news is I just got my test kit! TF100 woohoo!

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Just clean the filter. Check out the link below for tips. After you reassemble the filter and start up the pump, make a note of the clean (baseline) filter pressure. When pressure increases 25% over baseline, it's time to clean the filter again.

Cartridge Filter Use and Care - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Three depths: 3 ft shallow, 44 inches in the middle and 66 inches in the deep.
I put that all in a calculator and it's 10,700?

That sounds about right.

 

[tkbutler4]

Just clean the filter. Check out the link below for tips. After you reassemble the filter and start up the pump, make a note of the clean (baseline) filter pressure. When pressure increases 25% over baseline, it's time to clean the filter again.

Cartridge Filter Use and Care - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Ok, I was suprised at how clean it came. It's back in. Although, I've never seen the pressure rise, so maybe the gauge is broken. Hmmm... I'll start cleaning it monthly. I never have anything in any of my baskets because the lanai is completely enclosing the pool and no plants inside.

Now for my first test with the T100! So excited!

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Clean when pressure increases by 25%. During the SLAM, the filter will have a heavy load of dead algae.

Does the pressure gauge go to 0 when the pump is off?

Test kits aren't cheap, so here are some testing tips that may help you conserve reagents and achieve accurate results...

• Get a sample bottle with a dropper style tip. Leslie's has nice ones they'll give you for free.
• Always rinse sample vials with pool water before and after use. With small sample size, even a bit of fresh tap water can skew results
• When using droppers, keep the bottle vertical. Squeeze only enough to allow the drops to just fall off the tip
• Go slow between drops (about 1 second between) and watch closely for color changes. On most tests, color hues are less important than determining the "endpoint."
• The endpoint for most "count the drops" type tests is when there is no more color change. Keep adding drops until there is no color change. Don't count the last drop that results in no color change
• For the first few tests, wipe the tip of the R-0009 TA bottle between each drop with a damp rag to eliminate static charge
• Use 10 mL sample size for FC/CC test (R-0870/R-0871/R-0003 reagents)
• Use 25 mL sample for TA test
• Use 10 mL sample for CH test
• For some tests, swirling is critical to achieve accurate results (there's a tool for that). Keep swirling the vial throughout the test.
• Get that tool when your budget permits. You'll be glad you did.
• Try to develop a routine and stick with it. Do the tests the same way each time.

 

[tkbutler4]

Clean when pressure increases by 25%. During the SLAM, the filter will have a heavy load of dead algae.

Does the pressure gauge go to 0 when the pump is off?

Test kits aren't cheap, so here are some testing tips that may help you conserve reagents and achieve accurate results...

• Get a sample bottle with a dropper style tip. Leslie's has nice ones they'll give you for free.
• Always rinse sample vials with pool water before and after use. With small sample size, even a bit of fresh tap water can skew results
• When using droppers, keep the bottle vertical. Squeeze only enough to allow the drops to just fall off the tip
• Go slow between drops (about 1 second between) and watch closely for color changes. On most tests, color hues are less important than determining the "endpoint."
• The endpoint for most "count the drops" type tests is when there is no more color change. Keep adding drops until there is no color change. Don't count the last drop that results in no color change
• For the first few tests, wipe the tip of the R-0009 TA bottle between each drop with a damp rag to eliminate static charge
• Use 10 mL sample size for FC/CC test (R-0870/R-0871/R-0003 reagents)
• Use 25 mL sample for TA test
• Use 10 mL sample for CH test
• For some tests, swirling is critical to achieve accurate results (there's a tool for that). Keep swirling the vial throughout the test.
• Get that tool when your budget permits. You'll be glad you did.
• Try to develop a routine and stick with it. Do the tests the same way each time.

Great tips! Thanks!

I guess I need to test my CYA first, but I'm not seeing instruction sin the kit on how to do that. Is that somewhere in this site? Actually nevermind, I found it! LOL

 

[mknauss]

There should be a QR code on the kit for Test Kit Instructions.
Here they are from this forum

Extended Test Kit Directions Archives

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[tkbutler4]

Ok folks, my CYA was 20. I filled the tube all the way to the top before the water clouded my vision of the black dot. TIme to test the Chlorine.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Reminder...edit volume in your signature before members start giving you advice on how much of what to add.

 

[tkbutler4]

Ok folks, my CYA was 20. I filled the tube all the way to the top before the water clouded my vision of the black dot. TIme to test the Chlorine.

FC was zero.
PH: 7.2
Added one gallon of 10% liquid chlorine.

I noticed that in the Pool Math app, I don't have the choice of Liquid Chlorine only Bleach. I guess they are the same thing?

Also I have 2.5 gal jugs which is 320 fl oz, which is also not an option. Grrr...

I'm going to keep using Pooli app.

I'll test again in an hour. Now time to brush. It's going to take a while, algae is everywhere.

 

[HermanTX]

It's 28feet x 12 feet
Three depths: 3 ft shallow, 44 inches in the middle and 66 inches in the deep.
I put that all in a calculator and it's 10,700?

Thanks. That is what I got as well.

I am somewhat surprised that your CYA was so low. I had expected that the previous owners only used pucks (my assumption) and thus the CYA would be high.

 

[HermanTX]

I noticed that in the Pool Math app, I don't have the choice of Liquid Chlorine only Bleach. I guess they are the same thing?

Also I have 2.5 gal jugs which is 320 fl oz, which is also not an option. Grrr...

I'm going to keep using Pooli app.

LC is bleach so that is the right drop down to use.
I do not understand the concern on the 2.5 gal jug. You indicate you added 1 gal of LC at 10%. Just select 1 gal and 10% as your addition in Pool Math.
Using PM app - 10,700 gals, 1 gal 10% LC (bleach) will raise FC by 9.3