1st Time Pool Owner 36,000 gallons tackling algae problem

[snapped01]

Hello everyone! I just stumbled upon TFP after neglecting my pool all spring. I purchased a home with a pool late last year and had no knowledge about taking care of a pool. I'll admit, I didn't do any maintenance on the pool this spring and I've been tackling a swampy green algae pool for the past week now. I did a lot of reading and finally got the chemistry levels correct. I've shocked the pool with at least 12 lbs. of Cal-hypo and the water turned from dark green to cloudy blue and now I can finally see the bottom in certain areas!

Now that I can see the bottom of the pool in the shallow and middle areas (still can't see the bottom at the deep end), I'm seeing this yellow like powder on the bottom. When I run a brush through it it clouds up. I've tried vacuuming it but I think I might need to get a different vacuum because its not picking it up.

Technical Specs of my pool:
36,000 Gallon Salt Water Pool
SWG: FSOFT1400 Jandy
4 cartridge filters
Located in South Carolina

Current Levels: Tested with test strips
Total Chlorine: 10
Free Chlorine: 20
PH: 7.8
Total Alkalinity: 120
Cyanuric Acid: 20

My question is:
1. what is this powder like substance? is it dead algae? How do i get rid of it?
2. How do i get my total chlorine levels and free chlorine levels to drop so i can eventually swim in the pool?
3. How do i get my pool sparkling clear and blue?
4. A lot of different places recommended Cal-hypo instead of liquid bleach. Is there a difference?

Thanks everyone!

 

[dBsooner]

Hello and welcome to TFP!

Have a look at Pool Care Basics and Pool School.

When battling aglae, you're going to need to go through the SLAM Process. But to do so, you'll need a proper test kit instead of using guess strips or pool store tests. Have a look at getting one of these:
Test Kits Compared

Until you get a test kit, you'll want to keep adding 5ppm of chlorine a day.

what is this powder like substance? is it dead algae? How do i get rid of it?

Algae. Vacuuming / brushing (to get it up into the water column) to get it to the filter for the filter to take care of it.

How do i get my total chlorine levels and free chlorine levels to drop so i can eventually swim in the pool?

You can safely swim in the pool up to SLAM levels of FC. However, for safety, you shouldn't have swimmers if you can't see the bottom. Don't want to have a drowning because you couldn't see them.

How do i get my pool sparkling clear and blue?

Follow the basics in the links I posted above (Basics / Pool School) and you'll have a pool like these in no time: How Clear is TFP Clear?

A lot of different places recommended Cal-hypo instead of liquid bleach. Is there a difference?

Yes. A big difference. Cal-hypo adds CALCIUM to your pool. You didn't mention what kind of pool you have, but if it is plaster, you will need to maintain a certain level of calcium. But too much will cause calcium deposits. Liquid Chlorine is only salt and chlorine. Much better and what is recommended.

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

How to Chlorinate Your Pool

Before chlorinating your pool, you should know these simple tips. Learn the best way to add chlorine to your pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[dBsooner]

I'll also point out that Cal-Hypo is more expensive than LC, especially at the places that are likely recommending it to you.

 

[snapped01]

I just read the test kit page. I have the Taylor K2005 but found it complicated to use. I'll start using it. And I just purchased the Taylor K1515A for the FAS/DPD test. I've been watching swim university they recommended Cal-hypo.

How do I know what kind of pool and if its plaster? It looks like cement from what I can tell.

 

[dBsooner]

have the Taylor K2005 but found it complicated to use. I'll start using it. And I just purchased the Taylor K1515A for the FAS/DPD test.

Perfect. Until you get the test FAS/DPD test in, keep adding 5ppm of chlorine a day.

I've been watching swim university

Only watch stuff from this website from now on. Trouble Free Pool has videos as well.

they recommended Cal-hypo.

See previous statement.

It looks like cement

Likely plaster then. Share some pics.

 

[BDY]

Get yourself a smart stir … worth its weight in gold

Be sure to get the one like on tftestkits.com that fits Taylor vials

 

[snapped01]

this is the color of our pool now. You can see the bottom, but its cloudy. kinda looks like gaterade.

this is the surface of the pool. looks like little pebbles. is this plaster?

One other question:
It looks like i have 2 types of filters: there is a big pod on the left with 4 cartridges inside. Then there is another smaller filter thats labeled as a "energy filter bowl" that is going down in the photo. And a valve between them that directs the flow partially to both. What is the smaller filter about?

 

[snapped01]

Get yourself a smart stir … worth its weight in gold

Be sure to get the one like on tftestkits.com that fits Taylor vials

What is a smart stir?

 

[snapped01]

Perfect. Until you get the test FAS/DPD test in, keep adding 5ppm of chlorine a day.

Only watch stuff from this website from now on. Trouble Free Pool has videos as well.

See previous statement.

Likely plaster then. Share some pics.

How much is 5ppm of chlorine? I already purchased close to 20 packs of Cal-Hypo. Would that be okay to substitute for sodium hypochlorite?

 

[dBsooner]

this is the color of our pool now. You can see the bottom, but its cloudy. kinda looks like gaterade.

I'd perform an OCLT and probably SLAM this pool. But knowing your exact test results is crucial. Do you have an idea when you'll get the FAS-DPD kit in?

this is the surface of the pool. looks like little pebbles. is this plaster?

Yep. That's PebbleTec or something similar. I don't know the specifics on what you would label that as for your PoolMath app. @PoolStored, @Newdude ?

One other question:
It looks like i have 2 types of filters: there is a big pod on the left with 4 cartridges inside. Then there is another smaller filter thats labeled as a "energy filter bowl" that is going down in the photo. And a valve between them that directs the flow partially to both. What is the smaller filter about?

That big one is your filter. The small one is either for a RayVac or waterfall / fountain features. Do you have either? During a slam, I believe you will want your valve to close off output to this line so that all water is sent through the main filter media before returning to the pool.

What is a smart stir?

The best thing imaginable. TFTestKits calls it a Smart Stir: Smart Stir Magnetic Stirring Device
But the Taylor version is a Speed Stir: Magnetic Stirrer,SpeedStir Start-up Pack w/ sample tube, magnetic stirring bar & batteries
Get either one. They will make your life SO MUCH BETTER when it comes to mixing the reagents and counting drops.

How much is 5ppm of chlorine? I already purchased close to 20 packs of Cal-Hypo. Would that be okay to substitute for sodium hypochlorite?

Can you return them? I'd honestly ditch anything granular or tab related and move to straight liquid chlorine.

 

[snapped01]

I'd perform an OCLT and probably SLAM this pool. But knowing your exact test results is crucial. Do you have an idea when you'll get the FAS-DPD kit in?

Yep. That's PebbleTec or something similar. I don't know the specifics on what you would label that as for your PoolMath app. @PoolStored, @Newdude ?

That big one is your filter. The small one is either for a RayVac or waterfall / fountain features. Do you have either? During a slam, I believe you will want your valve to close off output to this line so that all water is sent through the main filter media before returning to the pool.

The best thing imaginable. TFTestKits calls it a Smart Stir: Smart Stir Magnetic Stirring Device
But the Taylor version is a Speed Stir: Magnetic Stirrer,SpeedStir Start-up Pack w/ sample tube, magnetic stirring bar & batteries
Get either one. They will make your life SO MUCH BETTER when it comes to mixing the reagents and counting drops.

Can you return them? I'd honestly ditch anything granular or tab related and move to straight liquid chlorine.

I'm getting the FAS-DPD kit today. It should be here.

I dont have a RayVac or a waterfall.. this is odd, not sure where this is going then.

And that's interesting you guys recommend liquid chlorine, everywhere else said that granular cal-hypo was the best option. Is liquid chlorine just bleach that I can get at walmart?

 

[Newdude]

. Is liquid chlorine just bleach that I can get at walmart?

No. Household bleach is loaded with polymers to make it splash less, scented, or colormax technologied. Hit the pool aisle instead for chlorinating liquid / liquid shock or something like that. It'll be 10% VS bleach at 6% and a better bang for the buck along with not foaming your pool up.

Check the date codes on the jug. It'll say 23XXX where it's 2023, day XXX. Today is about the 170th day so it would say 23170 or 17023. You want as fresh as possible and no more than 3 months old because it breaks down. You may have to dig through the shelf. Sometimes they move last years leftovers up front.

That's PebbleTec or something similar. I don't know the specifics on what you would label that as for your PoolMath app.

Plaster.

 

[Newdude]

I dont have a RayVac or a waterfall.

Maybe there was once a pressure side cleaner line, now abandoned ?

Leave it off for SLAM but flush it once or twice a day for a couple mins.

 

[snapped01]

Hey guys, quick update!! Thank you for all your help! Pool is looking clear, i can see the deep end now. I am still amazed i was able to turn a swampy deep green to a clear water pool. Appreciate you guys.

I had a few questions regarding the pool math app and my current water chemistry levels. The taylor test kit arrived and here are the results.

FC = 12
CC = 0.5
CYA = 30
pH = 7.8
TA = 120

1. Pool math recommended and ideal ranges for these are off from what the TFP website suggest. For example: website suggest pH to be 7.2-7.5. However, the pool app suggests that the ideal range is 7.6-7.8. See attached photos. What should i go off of? I see different values in different places i look. And how about Total alkalinity?
   1. 
2. I'm confused and scared to raise my CYA levels. TFP website calculator says: "We suggest 30 to 60 for liquid chlorine users, and 60 to 90 for salt water generator users". I know that if i raise CYA levels, theres no way to bring it down besides drain the pool. Are you sure that i should raise my CYA that high to 60-90? What are you keeping yours at?
3. The water is clear, but its still not a light blue color like the one at my neighborhood community center. How do i achieve that?

 

[Newdude]

First things first.
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

If you pass, we move on
If you fail, we SLAM Process

We find SWG pools need a 70 CYA. That's what I've always run north of you. Some in the hot climates need 80 or 90. We'll address this after the OCLT.

We also find SWG pools like to be a high 7, hence that being 'ideal' at 7.6 to 7.8.


Your TA is close enough. Anytime you see an 8 PH, dose to 7.6 and the TA will fix itself.

 

[snapped01]

Alright will perform OCLT tonight. What happens if i pass?

This is what my pool looks like. The color is still kind of off right?

And, how does this smaller filter work? I dont have a waterfall or rayvac. the previous owner said it was a smaller filter before it goes to the bigger filter, but looking at the PVC lines, it dosent make any sense. i drew a red line next to the smaller filter.

 

[Newdude]

What happens if i pass?

Then we raise the CYA to SWG level (70). It also raises your slam target considerably, so it's imperative that you rule out any algae before going there.

The color is still kind of off

Hard to tell. My other pool with lots of trees always looked weird in the spring. The greening leaves with yellow pollen and an often grey sky gave me all kinds of shades that were off. We are concerned with clear. And I mean invisible water clear.

 

[JamesW]

Looks like maybe some copper stains.

Is there a mineral cartridge in the Fusion SWG?

If yes, you should remove the mineral cartridge.

Maybe test the water for copper.

Maybe get a stain id kit.

 

[JamesW]

Do not use calcium hypochlorite because it can cause any copper stains to turn black.

 

[Drd]

Get yourself a smart stir … worth its weight in gold

Be sure to get the one like on tftestkits.com that fits Taylor vials