Trying to revive a neglected pool. I ordered a TP-test kit and it shipped today so in the mean time I only have the standard kit with drops. I just replaced filters so my pool sweep is running well. I have a new salt cell generator on order as my old one is dead. I put a few bags of shock in and some chlorine tablets because I knew my SWG wasn't working. My test kit shows that the chlorine and ph levels are fine but the pool looks green. The salt level is about 1500. My question is what to do while I wait for my test kit? I am afraid it will get more and more green if I wait. Thanks!
Where to start??
- Thread starter Heidiren
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 62,717
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Welcome to the forum!
I suspect you will end up doing a very large water drain/refill. But wait on your test kit. You can keep adding some chlorine if you like. Be careful about the solid types of chlorine, they add either CYA or Calcium. You do not want calcium (your fill water is high in calcium) and we do not know what the CYA is. Liquid chlorine/plain bleach/sodium hypochlorite is best to use for chlorination until you get your SWCG operating
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.
I suspect you will end up doing a very large water drain/refill. But wait on your test kit. You can keep adding some chlorine if you like. Be careful about the solid types of chlorine, they add either CYA or Calcium. You do not want calcium (your fill water is high in calcium) and we do not know what the CYA is. Liquid chlorine/plain bleach/sodium hypochlorite is best to use for chlorination until you get your SWCG operating
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,038
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome! 
Until your kit arrives, spend some time getting to know our site and basic pool care references. I have more of them below in my signature. Practice with the PoolMath APP so you'll be ready when the kit arrives. We'll watch for your first set of test results.
Until your kit arrives, spend some time getting to know our site and basic pool care references. I have more of them below in my signature. Practice with the PoolMath APP so you'll be ready when the kit arrives. We'll watch for your first set of test results.I’m wondering if I should go ahead and get started at least partially draining the pool while I wait for my test kit. We are on well water so it isn’t a problem to do that. This is what my pool looks like now.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,038
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
The green is indicative of either algae or perhaps iron from the well. Are you aware of a high iron content in that well water?
I’m not sure exactly what is in the well water but I do know it is super hard. We have struggled with algae every year also.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,717
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Iron would be odd in your area but it would be good to check it.
Your SWCG is very undersized for your pool. To adequately chlorinate your pool, you need to run pump and SWCG 24 hours per day at 100% setting on the SWCG from May through September, at least. And you may have to add liquid chlorine occasionally.
Your SWCG is very undersized for your pool. To adequately chlorinate your pool, you need to run pump and SWCG 24 hours per day at 100% setting on the SWCG from May through September, at least. And you may have to add liquid chlorine occasionally.
I got my test kit in the mail today! The results of my tests are:
ph- 7.8
Salt 1680
FC- 6.5
CC- 0
CH - 700
TA - 190
CYA - 40
We drained about 1/3 of the water and filled it back up. I started adding salt but it looks like I need more. What are my next steps?
Thank you!
ph- 7.8
Salt 1680
FC- 6.5
CC- 0
CH - 700
TA - 190
CYA - 40
We drained about 1/3 of the water and filled it back up. I started adding salt but it looks like I need more. What are my next steps?
Thank you!
- May 3, 2014
- 62,717
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
With the look of your pool water in the picture, I would suggest you follow the SLAM Process.
You need to lower your pH to 7.2 and then use liquid chlorine to raise your FC to 16 ppm and maintain it there as often as you can until the water is crystal clear.
You need to lower your pH to 7.2 and then use liquid chlorine to raise your FC to 16 ppm and maintain it there as often as you can until the water is crystal clear.
Ok- question about chlorine. I found this at Wal-mart. Is this ok to use?
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,038
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
So I lowered the ph and added liquid chlorine to the pool last night to get it to 16ppm. This morning the FC tested at 24.5. I think my SWG decided to start working (because the salt level came up). I turned it off now. Should I just wait for the FC level to come down to 16 and maintain it there? How often should I be testing it? Pool is looking better but not clear yet. Thanks so much for all the help!
- May 3, 2014
- 62,717
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Maintain your SLAM level FC. Test and dose with LC as often as you can. Several times a day is best.
Pool update- the SLAM is going well. Pool looks soooo much better. Water is clear and CC’s go between 0 and .5. Haven’t passed the overnight test yet. 2 nights ago it fell 2.5. Night before last it fell 1.5. Now my problem is that I tested so much I am down very low on the test solution- almost out. I ordered some last night but it will be a few days. Any suggestions on keeping progess while rationing my solution?
Attachments
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,038
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
By now you may have a pattern of how much bleach to use, so if you run completely out of reagents, stick with that. But don't bother with anymore OCLTs until the water is clear. That will save some powder and drops. If you are almost out, you can use a 5 ML water sample with one scoop of powder. Each drop of R-0871 is 1 FC. Not as accurate, but helps in a crunch.
Ok thanks! I’m irritated with myself that I didn’t realize I was running out earlier. I’m loving my test kit- and the Speed Stir is totally worth it!
Update and need to make sure I’m on the right track. I have been SLAMming the pool for 16 days now. It is looking much better but still using a lot of chlorine. It goes between crystal clear to a little cloudy but not green. I think I’m dealing with black algae from reading. I discovered some in the water feature valve and got that cleaned out and running. Now around the steps I realized there is places that I thought were discolored but I can see green when I scrub them. I started scrubbing yesterday at all those spots.
Test results from this morning:
FC 15
CC .5
CH 500
CYA 20
Does my target FC change now that my CYA is lower? Do I need to raise the CYA?
so do I just need to keep being patient and scrubbing those spots?
Thanks!!
Test results from this morning:
FC 15
CC .5
CH 500
CYA 20
Does my target FC change now that my CYA is lower? Do I need to raise the CYA?
so do I just need to keep being patient and scrubbing those spots?
Thanks!!
- May 3, 2014
- 62,717
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Bring your CYA back to 30. Why did it go down? Have you drained some water?
No need to raise FC above SLAM level for your CYA. Follow the FC/CYA Levels
No need to raise FC above SLAM level for your CYA. Follow the FC/CYA Levels
I don’t know why it went down. Haven’t drained any water. Maybe a testing error initially? I’m new to this. It is hot here in AZ and kids have been swimming everyday. Do I need to worry about the ph and TA during this phase?