4th algae outbreak this season lol...I give up.

[achenx75]

On my 3rd year of pool ownership.

Year 1 - After learning pool basics, I was able to keep the pool clear all season with half gal chlorine every 3 days.

Year 2 - Few algae outbreaks. Finally figured out my CYA was low. Corrected and clear pool for the rest of the season.

Year 3 - 1st outbreak, I check CYA and Ph is fine. I SLAM and it comes back a week later. 2nd outbreak I SLAM again but do a very thorough job. Brush 4 times and increase to half a gal chlorine every 2 days. A few weeks later, algae is there again...3rd outbreak. I catch it quickly and do a quick SLAM and it goes away. CYA and Ph are again fine. This time I decide to keep a better eye on the FC levels.

4th outbreak. It has been raining for 4 days straight in New Jersey because of Hurricane Debby. I've been adding half a gal of chlorine every day. I come home from work today and leaves everywhere in the pool and wouldn't you know...fresh algae.

FC last night was 2.5 so I added half a gal. Checked today and it's 3.5. I get that my pool has endured a 4 day onslaught of rain but my god...this is the 4th time I have to SLAM...and I have guests over tomorrow. Literally adding chlorine every day!!! I'm planning on going salt next year...tell me it gets easier...

Also...what the heck do I do since I have guests coming tomorrow to use the pool? I can't get it up to SLAM level or FC might be too high for guests.

 

[PoolStored]

Start the SLAM process. Check and replace every 2-3 hours.

It is safe to swim if FC > min, and FC <= SLAM. Ok to swim up to slam level. Nobody will every know.

Salt would be a good solution for you.

Until then, you are way low on your FC. You need to always follow this...Link-->FC/CYA Levels

Let's say that your target range for your CYA from the link above is 6-8. You need to ensure that WHEN YOU TEST, you are in range. If that means you need to dose HIGHER than range, so that you are IN RANGE when you test, then dose higher. Every 3 days is too long to chlorinate. Every 2 day, then you need to dose MUCH higher than range. In summer, you can lose 3-5ppm per day. If range is 6-8, and daily usage is 5, then 8+5+5+1 = 19FC may be the right target if you are not going to test for 2 days. Best practice is to dose every day.

 

[Bperry]

On my 3rd year of pool ownership.

Year 1 - After learning pool basics, I was able to keep the pool clear all season with half gal chlorine every 3 days.

Year 2 - Few algae outbreaks. Finally figured out my CYA was low. Corrected and clear pool for the rest of the season.

Year 3 - 1st outbreak, I check CYA and Ph is fine. I SLAM and it comes back a week later. 2nd outbreak I SLAM again but do a very thorough job. Brush 4 times and increase to half a gal chlorine every 2 days. A few weeks later, algae is there again...3rd outbreak. I catch it quickly and do a quick SLAM and it goes away. CYA and Ph are again fine. This time I decide to keep a better eye on the FC levels.

4th outbreak. It has been raining for 4 days straight in New Jersey because of Hurricane Debby. I've been adding half a gal of chlorine every day. I come home from work today and leaves everywhere in the pool and wouldn't you know...fresh algae.

FC last night was 2.5 so I added half a gal. Checked today and it's 3.5. I get that my pool has endured a 4 day onslaught of rain but my god...this is the 4th time I have to SLAM...and I have guests over tomorrow. Literally adding chlorine every day!!! I'm planning on going salt next year...tell me it gets easier...

Also...what the heck do I do since I have guests coming tomorrow to use the pool? I can't get it up to SLAM level or FC might be too high for guests.

It stinks for sure, but you are low on FC like described above. Thats why it keeps coming back. The salt water chlorinator does make it easier than lugging jugs every day.