Recent content by mconnell

That's what I was thinking just wanted to be sure I wasn't missing something.

I am coming off a SLAM for over a week for mustard algae. FC 15 CC 0 OCLT 0 pH 7.5 TA 70 CH 400 CYA 80 Temp 56F Salt 3300 csi calculates at -0.57 Based on my pool type and TFP recommended levels, the chemistry looks good considering a long SLAM. My Question is why is the csi at the lower...

Thanks Jim. I did use liquid 6% for the SLAM.

I developed mustard algae after returning from vacation and ignoring my pool. SLAM started 5 days ago, brushed everything, pool tools soaking in the pool, robot working overtime and hand vacuuming. Initial FC 44 ppm. SWG off. FC has been at 36 last 2 days. CC 0. OCLT no loss over night. Today...

My pool chemistry is near perfect. However, at night with the lights on I notice considerable suspended particulate matter. Is this normal? These are not air bubbles. I have a picture but do not know how to attach it. Your thoughts are appreciated. Thank you, Mark

Thank you both for your response. That's is what I thought. M

New to plaster pool care. Nylon vs stainless bristle steel pool brush....which should I use? Is one better than the other for a specific purpose? Thanks M

Tom, Let me put both my left feet in my mouth, but I believe it is because of the CYA stability in water and the ability of the CO2 the blow off. The more volatile nature of the CO2 allows it to diffuse into the atmosphere and be the driving force in the pH drift. See last paragraph of...

Dean you are correct. If you only aerate you will increase the pH by blowing off CO2 and the TA should remain relatively stable. You're not adding acid to consume the HCO3 and push the reaction to the left. Adding acid will decrease the TA by consuming HCO3 and decrease the pH by adding H+...

You add acid and consume HCO3 which decreases the TA by converting it to CO2 dissolved in the water. You aerate the water to drive off the CO2 created and the H+ again shifts to the left to restore CO2 equilibrium driving up the pH. The TA drops because of the acid (h+) consuming HCO3. The...

The TA is going down at the same time the pH is rising. It will reach an equilibrium point based on the amount of acid added and aeration/CO2 concentration. In my limited experience, the pH rises faster than the TA drops.

Matt, That's good stuff...as a chemistry minor and MD...the fundamentals are so important. For me personally, understanding why things happen is so much more important than plugging in numbers into a calculator and doing what it says. I always want to know the WHY. Great job and thank you

Got it. DUH. I was looking at the wrong chart. Turning up the SWG! Thank you all, Mark

I have a SWG. Why add bleach? My FC is actually a little on the high side and I turned the SWG down. Mark

I turned the pump on regular speed with the spill and bubbler for aeration to raise the pH. Turned off the SWG. I added stabilizer and baking soda using pool math. held my breath and prayed. I agree the hardness is suspect. Mark