Algae won’t go away

[MOpoolattendant]

Been a pool owner about 6 years, learned a lot on this forum. Been SLAMming and fighting algae for over a month now. I seriously feel like Bill Murray in “Caddyshack” and algae is the gopher! Our pool floated couple years ago.. it does every year.. ripped at the drain. Pool guy supposedly order liner but apparently never did so we did homemade patch during pandemic. This spring, no new liner so still patched. Water is clear but every morning and evening I see what (I’m assuming) is dead algae along some seams and around part of the drain. So previously mentioned pool guy LAST time he replaced liner snd light ring.. “ oh, we don’t have the right screw to fit” So stupid us, okay it’s hanging on so it’ll be okay. Gap at top of pool light. So last week I realized maybe algae behind light. Took it out… brown/ black plume comes outokay… that’s the problem! Cleaned it, light has been sitting on the deck for a week. Nope… still can’t pass OCLT… help!!

 

[wireform]

For starters how are you testing? Can we see all your pools chem levels?

 

[setsailsoon]

MO,

Welcome to TFP! So sorry you're having the extended SLAM. How often are you testing and adjusting FC? What chemicals have you used? Also what test kit? Can you post a complete set of results from recent test? A photo or two would be very helpful. I get your frustration and also can tell you this shouldn't take a month. With a little more info I'm certain we can help end your troubles and get you back to TFP.

Chris

 

[MOpoolattendant]

For starters how are you testing? Can we see all your pools chem levels?

Sorry meant to post that:

As of 7:30am this morning-
FC 14.0
CC.5
pH. 8.0
TA 125
CYA 35

I know pH and TA too high and also need to bring up CYA, correct? But just trying to pass OCLT first , and have no algae dead or alive

 

[MOpoolattendant]

Sorry meant to post that:

As of 7:30am this morning-
FC 14.0
CC.5
pH. 8.0
TA 125
CYA 35

I know pH and TA too high and also need to bring up CYA, correct? But just trying to pass OCLT first , and have no algae dead or alive

Also Taylor K-2006 test kit

 

[wireform]

See nothing wrong with your numbers. No such numer as 35 for the CYA so consider it 40 and slam level is 16. TA is fine and will come down slowly as high PH is lowered. PH testing above an FC of 10 is inaccurate so don't trust it and wait till slam is over and FC comes down. You may need to do a deep cleaning on the filter if that wasn't done yet as that can be holding you back along with some other hidden algae like bhind the weir door or even in the skimmer itself.

 

[MOpoolattendant]

MO,

Welcome to TFP! So sorry you're having the extended SLAM. How often are you testing and adjusting FC? What chemicals have you used? Also what test kit? Can you post a complete set of results from recent test? A photo or two would be very helpful. I get your frustration and also can tell you this shouldn't take a month. With a little more info I'm certain we can help end your troubles and get you back to TFP.

Chris

Using Taylor K-2006 test kit

Was testing 4 or 5 times/ day when started SLAM, now usually just morning and evening.

Using liquid chlorine (12.5%) unless I run out then use Walmart’s pool chlorine ( supposed to be 10%). I do change value on the calculator according to which percentage I’m using at that time. Our nearest pool supply is an hour away which I need to go there again today. Also been using Clorox powder chlorine stabilizer since my liquid conditioner order is on back order and pool store price is crazy

 

[wireform]

Are you making sure you've reached slam level before you leave like 15 minutes later ?

 

[MOpoolattendant]

Using Taylor K-2006 test kit

Was testing 4 or 5 times/ day when started SLAM, now usually just morning and evening.

Using liquid chlorine (12.5%) unless I run out then use Walmart’s pool chlorine ( supposed to be 10%). I do change value on the calculator according to which percentage I’m using at that time. Our nearest pool supply is an hour away which I need to go there again today. Also been using Clorox powder chlorine stabilizer since my liquid conditioner order is on back order and pool store price is crazy

Along left side of homemade patch is where it collects, then in the tread of stairs, some along seams. Today there are 3 or 4 baseball size clumps above and to right if drain… that is what one pic is

 

[MOpoolattendant]

Are you making sure you've reached slam level before you leave like 15 minutes later ?

I’ve been trying to put up to SLAM level + 1 to be safe

 

[MOpoolattendant]

I’ve been trying to put up to SLAM level + 1 to be safe

Also, I need to add… the pool definitely feels like there is water behind liner nearly all the way around. We’re not losing any more water than any other 95-100 degree day but could there possibly be a leak and algae is growing under/behind the liner therefore constantly there??

 

[MOpoolattendant]

See nothing wrong with your numbers. No such numer as 35 for the CYA so consider it 40 and slam level is 16. TA is fine and will come down slowly as high PH is lowered. PH testing above an FC of 10 is inaccurate so don't trust it and wait till slam is over and FC comes down. You may need to do a deep cleaning on the filter if that wasn't done yet as that can be holding you back along with some other hidden algae like bhind the weir door or even in the skimmer itself.

we have not deep cleaned filter. I have been backwashing and adding a little DE to try to pick up the fine stuff. Also, what is the weir door?

 

[MOpoolattendant]

we have not deep cleaned filter. I have been backwashing and adding a little DE to try to pick up the fine stuff. Also, what is the weir door?

Also, we have Zeolite(name?) as a medium if that matters

 

[MOpoolattendant]

we have not deep cleaned filter. I have been backwashing and adding a little DE to try to pick up the fine stuff. Also, what is the weir door?

we have not deep cleaned filter. I have been backwashing and adding a little DE to try to pick up the fine stuff. Also, what is the weir door?

Googled weir door… we do not have one. When examining skimmer looks like there are notches for one but there wasn’t one when we moved here. Also when examining, looking for said weir door… I see these tiny black spots… could they be the cause of all this? I rubbed them with my fingers and almost looked like charcoal specks

 

[wireform]

Looking at the picture I can also see black in the head of the screws or atleast the picture looks that way. In any case give the skimmer throat a good once over with bleach solution. Get some of the bristles into the screw heads too.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

You need a weir door. Check out Inyopools.com for a replacement.

You might be seeing DE in the pool if you're adding that to a sand filter using Zeo, but not sure? I believe in using real sand in a sand filter.

Have you addressed the ground water around your pool that has cause it to float before?? French drains or well points.....anything?

 

[MOpoolattendant]

Looking at the picture I can also see black in the head of the screws or atleast the picture looks that way. In any case give the skimmer throat a good once over with bleach solution. Get some of the bristles into the screw heads too.

Will do… I did the box but not screw heads

 

[MOpoolattendant]

We’ll never thought if it being the DE… I dissolve it in warm water before slowly pouring into skimmer. I’ll look into getting weir door. Yes we have talked a lot about what to do for better drainage. We have a sump pump about 10’ away from pool on deep end. I think it it should have been deeper… idk. We have rock landscaping with mulch/ flower beds above it. The French drain would have to be hand dug in that gravel. We’ve talked about putting another pump above the flower bed but don’t know if that would help. I will get a couple of pics and update

 

[MOpoolattendant]

For whatever reason, it’s says my file is too large to post more pics, even if I try 1 at a time. Nothings changed on my phone since yesterday. I’ll try again later

 

[MOpoolattendant]

Also, there was a couple new black specks this morning inside skimmer entry but not as much dead algae, or whatever it is, on the pool floor as has been. Also, my OCLT passed as far as chlorine- 1.0 ppm FC loss with 0 CC