SLAMing but no improvement

[mcutler]

Hi, I recently purchased a house with a pool. A friend recommended TFP so I've been following the advice here. I have a test kit and have been monitoring and adding chemicals as suggested here.

Last week the pool started turning green with visible algae growing on the walls/bottom of the pool. I started the SLAM process last Saturday. What I have observed so far:
- very little improvement in the water quality. The water is still just as green as it was last Saturday.
- CC levels have never reached above 0.5
- FC isn't dropping as fast as I would have expected. On Saturday/Sunday I was checking the chlorine levels every few hours but it was rarely dropping

I have had green/cloudy water in the past but it has always cleared up within a day or two of getting FC up and running the filter.

Is it likely that I have a filter problem? How can I tell? I have a Waterway Pro Clean Plus 200 filter. I have cleaned the cartridge twice with my garden hose. Both times the cartridge is visibly dirty but turns white again after I clean it.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Most recent measurements:
FC = 29.5
CC = 0.5
pH = 7.4
TA = 80
CYA = 60
CH = 450

 

[reggiehammond]

Cleaning a filter during SLAM is normal, but filters do not help you fight the algae.
Only chlorine can help, so it sounds like you're on the right path. Some algae outbreaks are worse than others, so one week may not be sufficient to eliminate.

Can you post a photo of the pool? Ever had any issue with iron in the water? Iron reacts with high FC levels and can turn green, but would be a lighter, cleaner green than an algae swamp.

Often a SLAM can require some POP - Pool Owner Patience.

 

[mcutler]

Thanks! Here are some pictures. I don't know of any issues with iron in the water.

I'm happy to keep waiting it out. The slamming instructions mentioned that you should see some improvement day over day but I feel like nothing is changing.

 

[Flying Tivo]

Most recent measurements:
FC = 29.5
CC = 0.5
pH = 7.4
TA = 80
CYA = 60
CH = 450

PH is not valid above FC of 10, so that makes me wonder if testing is being done properly. Which test kit do you have? Please review testing procedures. The color of water do look like iron, are you sure its algae? Did the color change to a darker green when you started Slam?

 

[mcutler]

The pH measurement is from before I started the SLAM process. I have the TF-Pro test kit.

I think it is algae because when I scrub the pool I see green stuff coming off the pool sides and bottom.

I don't think the color changed much when I started SLAM.

 

[wireform]

In order for the slam to work the pool needs to be brushed very in well twice daily at minimum and that's when you really start killing off the algae.

 

[mcutler]

Good to know. I've been brushing once per day. Will start doing it twice a day. thanks for the help!

 

[Bperry]

Good to know. I've been brushing once per day. Will start doing it twice a day. thanks for the help!

With that much algae, it’s going to take a while. Keep it going, it’ll get better.