Converting this weekend - where to begin.

[B_Mann]

So, I recently purchased a home with a small 8200 gallon IG FG pool that was being "maintained" by a someone in the neighborhood. The first thing I noticed was a weird purple residue that was settling on the steps and seats. Also, the water would get cloudy very quickly with minimal use, so I ordered a TF-Pro Salt with SmartStir and a T-9 SWG. The problem is, I have no idea where to start.
I know how to mechanically install the SWG, but where do I start with the water? How do I get rid of the purple stuff that he said was to "kill algae"?
Is there an order of operations for this conversion?
A few years back I converted my moms pool from Baquacil to SWG, and there absolutely is an order of operations for that process (and I did it bass ackwards LOL).

Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[duraleigh]

Welcome to the forum

First step would be to use that new TF-Pro and post a complete set of test results

Run the pump 30-60 minutes before testing so things are mixed well.

 

[B_Mann]

Welcome to the forum

First step would be to use that new TF-Pro and post a complete set of test results

Run the pump 30-60 minutes before testing so things are mixed well.

I figured - I just havent had time to learn how to use it yet. I'll try to get to some videos today.

 

[randytsuch]

CYA test is one of the more important ones, also one of the harder ones to learn.
cya test

Good luck
Randy

 

[Newdude]

I just havent had time to learn how to use it yet.

If you passed elementary school, you'll do fine. Don't look at the instruction sheet as a whole, it will be rocket science. Block off everything but one test and read one step at a time.

Fill vial to 10ml. Easy peasy lemon squeezy
Add 5 drops . Easy peasy lemon squeezy
Swirl. Easy peasy lemon squeezy

Zoom out and see the whole sheet : difficult difficult lemon schmifficult

 

[Texas Splash]

How do I get rid of the purple stuff that he said was to "kill algae"?

Maybe post a pic of this product if you still have the container so we can see the ingredients. Also be sure to bookmark our Pool Care Basics page.

 

[B_Mann]

Maybe post a pic of this product if you still have the container so we can see the ingredients. Also be sure to bookmark our Pool Care Basics page.

The last owners left a dang arsenal of chemicals in the shed, I have no clue what product it is. I just asked the "pool boy" who was hired from down the street to keep the pool up for the absentee owners.
Its really weird. It settles on the bottom and steps like a super fine purple sand, other places it actually stains as seen in the picture.

 

[Texas Splash]

I can't help but think it was some sort of copper product. When you get a chance. go ahead and do the following for your next post(s):
- Post a full set of your own water test results
- Post some pics of your equipment pad
- Update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info.

If there are any other products still laying around, you might show them to us as well, or ask this person if he can tell you the names of them.

 

[B_Mann]

It has been a crazy weekend, but I did manage to get the SWG installed.
Initial tests were
FC 1.5
CYA is off the chart high. Pic of the tube at the level that the dot disappeared.

Salt is added and going to start the SWG - how do I lower the CYA?

 

[Texas Splash]

how do I lower the CYA?

Exchanging water.

 

[pjt]

CYA is off the chart high. Pic of the tube at the level that the dot disappeared.

You can perform a diluted pool water CYA test to get a somewhat accurate assessment of your CYA.

CYA - Cyanuric Acid Test

Cyanuric acid (CYA) is the chemical name for the product commonly called “pool water stabilizer” … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[B_Mann]

PH is low....

 

[Texas Splash]

PH is low....

No problem. Do the exchange first to address the CYA. That will change everything anyways.

 

[B_Mann]

No problem. Do the exchange first to address the CYA. That will change everything anyways.

Im gradually doing the exchange now. Water here is STUPID expensive... So Im doing it slowly.

 

[B_Mann]

Ive exchanged quite a bit of water, the CYA isn't coming down. When I asked the neighbor about the purple stuff, he said it was algicide/copper. Is it possible he mean CYA? If so, it was so heavy, it was settling out of the water like sugar sand...
I also want to make sure Im testing correctly... I fill the bottle to the bottom line, then I fill it to the 15 ML line with R-0013. Then I drop it in the tube with the back dot until I can no longer see the dot.... Correct?

 

[B_Mann]

pics for above post

 

[Lake Placid]

Ive exchanged quite a bit of water, the CYA isn't coming down. When I asked the neighbor about the purple stuff, he said it was algicide/copper. Is it possible he mean CYA? If so, it was so heavy, it was settling out of the water like sugar sand...
I also want to make sure Im testing correctly... I fill the bottle to the bottom line, then I fill it to the 15 ML line with R-0013. Then I drop it in the tube with the back dot until I can no longer see the dot.... Correct?

If your CYA is very high, a significant water exchange may be necessary to lower it. You’re doing the standard test correctly, but have you tried a diluted test since your level was suspected so high?

Fill to the 7.5 ml mark with pool water. Add tap water to the 15 ml mark. Pour off enough solution so you are back to the 7.5 ml mark and finish the test per normal. Multiply your result times 2.

I‘d guess the purple sand you are seeing is Copper Cyanurate. It’s forming due to the high CYA and the copper algecide the previous owner was likely using. Keeping your cya levels in the correct range and the fresh water added in the exchange process should address it, but eventually you may want to test the water for metals to be sure the levels are down.

 

[B_Mann]

If your CYA is very high, a significant water exchange may be necessary to lower it. You’re doing the standard test correctly, but have you tried a diluted test since your level was suspected so high?

Fill to the 7.5 ml mark with pool water. Add tap water to the 15 ml mark. Pour off enough solution so you are back to the 7.5 ml mark and finish the test per normal. Multiply your result times 2.

I‘d guess the purple sand you are seeing is Copper Cyanurate. It’s forming due to the high CYA and the copper algecide the previous owner was likely using. Keeping your cya levels in the correct range and the fresh water added in the exchange process should address it, but eventually you may want to test the water for metals to be sure the levels are down.

I havent tried a diluted test.
I just pumped it down to about 50% and am currently refilling it.

I will test again tomorrow after work.

 

[B_Mann]

No problem. Do the exchange first to address the CYA. That will change everything anyways.

This is absurd..... I did a 50% water exchange and the CYA is still well over 100.
Im betting the sand is packed with stabilizer.... and this type of filter will be a bear to change the sand in.

 

[B_Mann]

Previous pic was prior to SWG install...