Recent content by PowerPigg!!

A-frame ladder was out during SLAM but fully submerged for a few hours during extra high FC MC levels to address any potential algae that made it inside the tubing. Had not considered this, but I did have heavy rain and stormy conditions for much of three of the last four days after several...

So weird... FC tested at 27 ppm last night (a little over target of 24 ppm), and still measures 27 ppm as of about 15 minutes ago. Drizzling and overcast all morning, and found pool bottom just as covered with stuff as before--poofs up brown cloud when brushing. If this is algae, is it normal...

I dilute a sample 10000 to 1 and test dilution for ppm. Learned the technique here in fact!

Pinch-a-Penny chlorine also moves quickly here in South Florida so it's always fresh. Measures consistently above 12% concentration on day of purchase.

For the duration of this new SLAM I am definitely back to 24 hour a day pump operation. The stuff poofs up when approached softly with the brush. I understand that usually points to algae? If algae, I don't know if it is dead or still alive--it looked yellowish, much like what I fought off...

It's been nearly 3 weeks since my last post, during which I complete slam and a 36 hour period of maintaining the extra high FC level recommended for mustard algae. Yes I was being paranoid, but turns out not paranoid enough. That was followed by maintaining a minimum of 9 FC until yesterday...

I can give you my own anecdotal answer on why the answer is "dear lord in heaven YES they can be". Although, as a supplemental test they will quickly reveal that they are inconsistent and not very accurate, and that neither is the test from the pool store. I'm pretty sure you figured much...

I'll go out on a limb and guess that SDS stands for Sanity Destroying System. I thought Skin Destroying System at first because of the silver nitrate and the phosphate super-soap but I suspect the real fun is in the interactions. Can I at least assume that this mixture will not immediately...

I think the simplest way to describe my issue was doubting I was seeing the dot when it was actually somewhat visible, as a result of blurriness at waist level that could not be addressed well by my regular reading glasses. I would bring the vial closer to my eyes but then try to compensate for...

I wanted to post on this thread to provide some follow up on my own high levels of daytime loss. Bottom line, I was testing for CYA incorrectly. I thought I understood the process but it took a visit to the Wiki to really understand how subjective this test can be if you are not careful. I had...

Wow. So what I am understanding is that compounds sold as Stop Yellow or others based on sodium bromide will, when used in sufficient amounts, effectively rob you of the stabilizing benefit of cyanuric acid by making most of your chlorine go not towards disinfection but rather feeding the...

My recent experience going through a SLAM for mustard algae in my above-ground pool made me think about the recommendations against use of any kind of algaecide in the process, and sodium bromide algaecide specifically. Someone stated that applying any bromine to a chlorine pool turns it into...

No weir door to worry about for this Intex AGP, but this removable skimmer does have its share of hard to reach nooks. A trusty old toothbrush is on hand for this. I appreciate the reminder about those flaps; I have in fact been mindful of these. I will dive in and take to those with the...

Update on progress: In honor our nation's birth and declaration of its intent to blaze its own path forward, my wife declared independence from my suggestions that the pool remain closed for the remainder of this three day weekend. The only acceptable-ish mention of mustard was in response to...

Don't stare, glance--GLANCE--until the message is subliminal.