Another question still..anyone??

[Tnt17tnt]

What kind of ladder do you have as well? I noticed on mine on the "feet" that you have to strap with wire ties or rope there is a crevice that connects to the ladder. I ended up taking those off myself since crud gets up in there. Not sure on how to clean more inside of the ladder body since it's solid but there are 1-2" holes from the top connection to the stairs and maybe yours are the same and a long brush like for a dryer vent cleaning could work.

 

[kimray]

Doesn't matter the surface, once attached, hard to kill unless you brush and break the biofilm.

"Biofilm is a substance that forms readily in water distribution lines, water storage tanks, and any other aqueous environment. A Biofilm forms when bacteria begin to excrete a slimy, sticky substance that allows them to adhere to surfaces. The biofilm mass usually consists of many species of bacteria, and can also include fungi, algae, and protozoa. Biofilm is resistant to chlorine and is difficult to remove once initial adhesion occurs.i The biofilm slime shelters disease-causing microorganisms, protecting them from chlorine disinfection."

Source: https://www.howelllabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Biofilm_Removal_Synopsis.pdf

Biofilm Basics - Center for Biofilm Engineering | Montana State University

Information about the basics of biofilms

www.biofilm.montana.edu

This is typical when your FC demand is higher that the FC in the pool and you get below minimums. You need to maintain the proper FC for your CYA. Always follow this..Link-->FC/CYA Levels

If you are going to have a lot of swimmers, your FC gets used up faster. You can raise your FC before and during the swim session, so your FC stays in range (link above). If you stay in range and away from minimums, your pool will not get algae and cloud.

The chlorine levels were correct when we went to get in the pool, but after two or three hours the water was getting cloudy. I’m going to be honest and tell you that I don’t think many people are going to stop and adjust the chlorine in the middle of a day at the pool. if your water can’t maintain long enough for you to spend a few hours in the pool, I’m not sure why any of us bother with it.

As for the ladder, if chlorine doesn’t clean it, then how do you clean it?

I remember now why I didn’t put a pooll up last year. I’m about five minutes away from posting on Facebook for someone to come take every bit of it

 

[kimray]

What kind of ladder do you have as well? I noticed on mine on the "feet" that you have to strap with wire ties or rope there is a crevice that connects to the ladder. I ended up taking those off myself since crud gets up in there. Not sure on how to clean more inside of the ladder body since it's solid but there are 1-2" holes from the top connection to the stairs and maybe yours are the same and a long brush like for a dryer vent cleaning could work.

It’s this one except I don’t use the guard to keep anything from behind it. It’s the same one I have used for the last five years or so with zero problems. Except this one is a new one that I bought because a storm came through and broke the other one

 

[dereksanders]

All I can tell you is to have faith in the methodology. It takes patience. I reached the point where I have zero chlorine loss overnight, sparkling water, and we swim in the pool. There is anywhere from 2-4 adults and 2-4 grandchildren in the pool at various times throughout a typical day.

 

[PoolStored]

The chlorine levels were correct when we went to get in the pool, but after two or three hours the water was getting cloudy. I’m going to be honest and tell you that I don’t think many people are going to stop and adjust the chlorine in the middle of a day at the pool. if your water can’t maintain long enough for you to spend a few hours in the pool, I’m not sure why any of us bother with it.

Then raise it above your target range.
You can't eliminate the fact that FC will be consumed with UV, and swimmers. The more sun, and the more swimmers, the more FC will be consumed.
My pool uses 2ppm/day, cover on. A couple swimmers and sun for an afternoon, it goes to 4. All day, with many swimmers, in June, it can go to 5.5FC.
When I was using LChlorine, I would dose the pool up before the day with what I needed. At the end of the day, I was always in range.

As for the ladder, if chlorine doesn’t clean it, then how do you clean it?

Take the ladder apart and scrub outside and INSIDE all of the tubes or locations where there is water.

https://www.familypoolfun.com/pdf/ne1175_manual.pdf

 

[kimray]

Then raise it above your target range.
You can't eliminate the fact that FC will be consumed with UV, and swimmers. The more sun, and the more swimmers, the more FC will be consumed.
My pool uses 2ppm/day, cover on. A couple swimmers and sun for an afternoon, it goes to 4. All day, with many swimmers, in June, it can go to 5.5FC.
When I was using LChlorine, I would dose the pool up before the day with what I needed. At the end of the day, I was always in range.

Take the ladder apart and scrub outside and INSIDE all of the tubes or locations where there is water.

https://www.familypoolfun.com/pdf/ne1175_manual.pdf

Then raise it above your target range.
You can't eliminate the fact that FC will be consumed with UV, and swimmers. The more sun, and the more swimmers, the more FC will be consumed.
My pool uses 2ppm/day, cover on. A couple swimmers and sun for an afternoon, it goes to 4. All day, with many swimmers, in June, it can go to 5.5FC.
When I was using LChlorine, I would dose the pool up before the day with what I needed. At the end of the day, I was always in range.

Take the ladder apart and scrub outside and INSIDE all of the tubes or locations where there is water.

https://www.familypoolfun.com/pdf/ne1175_manual.pdf

With just soap and elbow grease?
And how do you clean inside the tubes?

 

[PoolStored]

10:1 Water: Bleach
Some kid of brush. Bottle brush on a stick? Or one of these I still have from cleaning mine:

This is a link to the Brush-->Amazon.com

 

[kimray]

10:1 Water: Bleach
Some kid of brush. Bottle brush on a stick? Or one of these I still have from cleaning mine:

This is a link to the Brush-->Amazon.com

OK not to sound stupid, but isn’t chlorine even stronger than bleach? And that article on biofilm says it’s resistance to chlorine. Or is it the brush that does the work?

My ladder does not feel slimy at all so how do I know if I have successfully cleaned it?

And if that ends up being my problem with the three week old brand new ladder, how do I keep this from happening again? This is a new one for me

 

[PoolStored]

OK not to sound stupid, but isn’t chlorine even stronger than bleach? And that article on biofilm says it’s resistance to chlorine. Or is it the brush that does the work?

Chlorine is Bleach. Bleach is Chlorine. Bleach typically comes in 6% and 10%. Liquid Chlorine typically comes in 10% and 12.5%. It is the brush that breaks the biofilm, chlorine that kills it.

My ladder does not feel slimy at all so how do I know if I have successfully cleaned it?

If you use 10:1 Water:Bleach and give it a good scrub, you should be fine.

And if that ends up being my problem with the three week old brand new ladder, how do I keep this from happening again? This is a new one for me

You might drill some holes in the ladder to allow more water to circulate. Do it carefully to not weaken the ladder.

Maintain your FC at the top of the recommended range for your FC. You should be in range, WHEN YOU TEST. If that means you need to dose above range so that you are in-range when you test, you should be golden. Range found here: Link-->FC/CYA Levels

This whole situation happened because your FC got too low for your CYA, and you did not have enough HOCl to sanitize the pool, and algae took over.

You asked about the science behind the biofilm. If you want the science behind FC, CYA, and pool sanitization, here you go. Link-->Pool Water Chemistry

 

[dereksanders]

The brushing breaks the biofilm so the chlorine can kill the algae and other biologics. When I took my ladder apart it the algae was readily apparent. Growth starts with the first drop under the minimum FC and will continue with subsequent drops. My ladder has sliding steps and leg overlap for adjustment to various heights. It was everywhere you can’t see. Once taken apart you can see all the nooks and crannies.

 

[kimray]

Chlorine is Bleach. Bleach is Chlorine. Bleach typically comes in 6% and 10%. Liquid Chlorine typically comes in 10% and 12.5%. It is the brush that breaks the biofilm, chlorine that kills it.

If you use 10:1 Water:Bleach and give it a good scrub, you should be fine.

You might drill some holes in the ladder to allow more water to circulate. Do it carefully to not weaken the ladder.

Maintain your FC at the top of the recommended range for your FC. You should be in range, WHEN YOU TEST. If that means you need to dose above range so that you are in-range when you test, you should be golden. Range found here: Link-->FC/CYA Levels

This whole situation happened because your FC got too low for your CYA, and you did not have enough HOCl to sanitize the pool, and algae took over.

You asked about the science behind the biofilm. If you want the science behind FC, CYA, and pool sanitization, here you go. Link-->Pool Water Chemistry

Yes I have read all of the pool school articles. They are quite helpful

And when you mentioned drilling more holes to increase the water flow something clicked. One thing I did notice on this new ladder is that I drilled holes on the outside of the rails but I forgot to drill holes on the inside of the same rail. And I have noticed the water is not flowing as freely because it is not as weighted down as it was previously. (Remember I mentioned this is the same exact ladder I’ve always had it’s just a new one because the storm broke the last one.)
Anyway I’ve been meaning to get out there with the drill and drill the rest of the holes and I haven’t done it yet. So now I’m sitting here thinking that because I procrastinated about drilling those extra holes on both sides this is what I get for it.

But I am still trying to wrap my head around how even if I had stagnant water that grows algae stuck in the rails, how is it putting that much of that water back into the pool if it’s not flowing freely to start with.

Yes I’m one of those that needs the science behind things or the physics behind things for my brain to understand it

 

[PoolStored]

But I am still trying to wrap my head around how even if I had stagnant water that grows algae stuck in the rails, how is it putting that much of that water back into the pool if it’s not flowing freely to start with.

I don't understand the question...try again in a different way...

Yes I’m one of those that needs the science behind things or the physics behind things for my brain to understand it

Did you read this? Link-->Pool Water Chemistry

 

[kimray]

I don't understand the question...try again in a different way...

Did you read this? Link-->Pool Water Chemistry

Yes I have read all of the pool school and water chemistry articles

What I meant about the ladder rails was that by not having the holes drilled on both sides it was inhibiting the water flow and therefore possibly causing the algae to grow because it wasn’t flowing as easily through the rail. Kind of like when you have one car window rolled down versus both sides rolled down and it creates a crossbreeze. Same concept with the water.
So I was trying to ask how it is that if the water was not flowing freely enough that algae could set up in there because obviously chlorinated water wasn’t flowing very well, then how was that same water getting back into the pool and causing it to be so cloudy if it’s still not flowing very freely.

Yes I have a bad habit of not being able to say what is in my head sometimes. I apologize for that

 

[PoolStored]

therefore possibly causing the algae to grow because it wasn’t flowing as easily through the rail.

Yep...same reason why people with poor circulation in parts of their pool get algae in those areas, even with FC in range. In that situation, they should brush daily, and use a dolphin to circulate water...

Yes I have read all of the pool school and water chemistry articles

It is not a pool school or chemistry article. It is a thread. Take a look. Link-->Pool Water Chemistry

 

[kimray]

Yep...same reason why people with poor circulation in parts of their pool get algae in those areas, even with FC in range. In that situation, they should brush daily, and use a dolphin to circulate water...


It is not a pool school or chemistry article. It is a thread. Take a look. Link-->Pool Water Chemistry

Oh ok yes i will read.
What is a dolphin?

 

[PoolStored]

What is a dolphin?

Robotic pool cleaner...

 

[kimray]

Robotic pool cleaner...

Oh yeah sorry. I was a little slow on that one. I have an aiper

 

[kimray]

Chlorine is Bleach. Bleach is Chlorine. Bleach typically comes in 6% and 10%. Liquid Chlorine typically comes in 10% and 12.5%. It is the brush that breaks the biofilm, chlorine that kills it.

If you use 10:1 Water:Bleach and give it a good scrub, you should be fine.

You might drill some holes in the ladder to allow more water to circulate. Do it carefully to not weaken the ladder.

Maintain your FC at the top of the recommended range for your FC. You should be in range, WHEN YOU TEST. If that means you need to dose above range so that you are in-range when you test, you should be golden. Range found here: Link-->FC/CYA Levels

This whole situation happened because your FC got too low for your CYA, and you did not have enough HOCl to sanitize the pool, and algae took over.

You asked about the science behind the biofilm. If you want the science behind FC, CYA, and pool sanitization, here you go. Link-->Pool Water Chemistry

OK I have to say that the pool water chemistry thread was mostly well over my head lol

 

[PoolStored]

OK I have to say that the pool water chemistry thread was mostly well over my head lol

Well you asked for it...

Yes I’m one of those that needs the science behind things or the physics behind things for my brain to understand it

The condensed version is to follow this when chlorinating...if you want to keep bacteria and algae at bay....maintain your FC for your CYA. Link-->FC/CYA Levels

 

[kimray]

Well you asked for it...

The condensed version is to follow this when chlorinating...if you want to keep bacteria and algae at bay....maintain your FC for your CYA. Link-->FC/CYA Levels

Fair enough. I did
Maybe the slightly dumbed down version

my Long scrubber for the ladder will be here Wednesday so hopefully that will help. Because as of right now it rained yesterday and now the water is even cloudier