Caretaking pool, levels way out

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8ightiesfan

8ightiesfan

Well-known member
May 26, 2020
69
Canberra, Australia
I've been asked to caretake my father's pool while he is away for a week. His pool has always been cloudy in the times I have seen it so I've decided to do a water test while he is away and try to address the issue and have it clear by the time he returns.

I will preface this by saying my father does not have much knowledge in maintaining a pool, this is his second pool and I think all he ever does is pour a bit of liquid chlorine in once a week.

I've done a test

FC 0
CC 0
PH 8.0+
TA 110
CH 225
CYA 0

The pool is cloudy and I'm surprised it's not very green with the above results.

My goal is to get the water in balance and get it clear enough to see the bottom. Then provide him with a bit of knowledge and a test kit.

Where do I start with this? Add some acid then SLAM? What would you do?

I have experience with a salt pool but never maintained a chlorine pool before.

IMG_20230306_161739.jpg
 

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8ightiesfan said:
Where do I start with this? Add some acid then SLAM? What would you do?
Click to expand...

I'd get CYA to 30 or 40 using the sock method, and also add enough chlorine to raise FC to 4 or 5 ppm, to have at least SOME disinfectant in the pool while you wait for CYA to come up. Add muriatic acid to lower pH to 7.0-7.2. Then SLAM.

With 40 CYA, SLAM FC level is 16 ppm. If you're diligent about maintaining the FC level at 16, you might be able to complete the SLAM before your father returns.

You're doing a good thing for him. Best of luck.
 
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DrewLG said:
I'd get CYA to 30 or 40 using the sock method, and also add enough chlorine to raise FC to 4 or 5 ppm, to have at least SOME disinfectant in the pool while you wait for CYA to come up. Add muriatic acid to lower pH to 7.0-7.2. Then SLAM.

With 40 CYA, SLAM FC level is 16 ppm. If you're diligent about maintaining the FC level at 16, you might be able to complete the SLAM before your father returns.

You're doing a good thing for him. Best of luck.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice. I decided on this plan so I'm glad your recommendation matches. I just added stabiliser to target 30ppm, acid to target 7.2 and some Chlorine to get me through the night.

Tomorrow I will retest and begin SLAM if levels dictate I can commence.
 
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Have you thought about installing a SWG for him? Late Christmas present or early birthday present? If you installed the same model that you have, you could just tell him to mirror your settings. Maybe take a CYA reading once a month and make sure that his level is the same as yours. Does he also live in Canberra?
 
mgtfp said:
Have you thought about installing a SWG for him? Late Christmas present or early birthday present? If you installed the same model that you have, you could just tell him to mirror your settings. Maybe take a CYA reading once a month and make sure that his level is the same as yours. Does he also live in Canberra?
Click to expand...
Yes that is something that he is also considering already. It will make it much more manageable. Fortunately he is only 5 minutes drive away.
 
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Day 1, I added some stabilizer, reduced pH to 7.2 and increased chlorine to 14. brushed pool. Set pump to run 24x7
Day 2, checked and maintained chlorine, brushed pool x2, backwashed sand filter.
Day 3, checked and maintaining chlorine, tested at 14.

The pool has improved clarity slightly, at the beginning you could see the second step and outline of the third, today I can see the fourth step and outline of the fifth.

The pool doesn't look at all green. I haven't performed an OCLT yet, I want clarity to be better first. I still cant see the bottom.

Does it usually take some time for clarity to improve? I hoped it would happen a bit faster. Toying with the idea of doing a OCLT and it passes I want to flock it. Is this a good idea? (I have never flocked a pool before)
 

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8ightiesfan said:
I haven't performed an OCLT yet, I want clarity to be better first. I still cant see the bottom.
Click to expand...
You only need to fail one of the 3 SLAM criteria to keep going. No need to fail twice. (y)
8ightiesfan said:
Does it usually take some time for clarity to improve? I hoped it would happen a bit faster
Click to expand...
Once it goes milky, it's dead or mostly dead algae that needs to be filtered out. That's all up to your dad's system. You keep the FC up because you don't want to risk losing any ground if any algae is hiding anywhere, and you keep up the brushing for the same reason. It could be layers thick on the wall and each round of brushing exposes more to be killed. But for the most part, once it's milky the FC holds much better and it shifts from a chemical battle to a mechanical battle.
8ightiesfan said:
I want to flock it. Is this a good idea? (I have never flocked a pool before)
Click to expand...
Flocculants can be of use in some instances like a muddy pool after a flood. This is not one of those times.
8ightiesfan said:
Yes that is something that he is also considering already. It will make it much more manageable
Click to expand...
I set my SWG to maintain 10 FC. I did everything else imaginable all summer, except for worry about algae. On the contrary I was all Dirty Harry about it, telling that punk to go ahead and make my day.
 
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ajw22 said:
DO NOT FLOC IT!

Be patient.

Flocculant - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

How much stabilizer did you add to what size pool?

What FC level are you maintaining?
Click to expand...

Haha I thought I would get that reply.

45,000 litres (12,000 gal)
I added 1.5kg of Stabilizer, calculated to approx 30ppm. I haven't tested since I added as I want it to fully dizzolve.
Targeting Chlorine 12ppm minimum
 
Newdude said:
You only need to fail one of the 3 SLAM criteria to keep going. No need to fail twice. (y)

Once it goes milky, it's dead or mostly dead algae that needs to be filtered out. That's all up to your dad's system. You keep the FC up because you don't want to risk losing any ground if any algae is hiding anywhere, and you keep up the brushing for the same reason. It could be layers thick on the wall and each round of brushing exposes more to be killed. But for the most part, once it's milky the FC holds much better and it shifts from a chemical battle to a mechanical battle.

Flocculants can be of use in some instances like a muddy pool after a flood. This is not one of those times.

I set my SWG to maintain 10 FC. I did everything else imaginable all summer, except for worry about algae. On the contrary I was all Dirty Harry about it, telling that punk to go ahead and make my day.
Click to expand...
It's definitely a milky looking cloudiness. Is it normal to take many days to filter it out running the filter constantly? I am not sure of the condition of the sand filter. I have backwashed it twice now, tempted to open it up and attempt a deep clean.
 
8ightiesfan said:
Haha I thought I would get that reply.

45,000 litres (12,000 gal)
I added 1.5kg of Stabilizer, calculated to approx 30ppm. I haven't tested since I added as I want it to fully dizzolve.
Targeting Chlorine 12ppm minimum
Click to expand...

If you added the calculated amount of stabilizer then assume it will get in the water and move on.

The more often you check for 12ppm and top it back up the quicker it will be.

You can judge your progress by how much FC you lose over time. Progress is when you require less FC to top it off.

The SLAM Process can take a few days or it can take weeks. IT can have a long tail to get the last of the algae killed. Follow the process and look to meet the three exit criteria.
 
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Alright, day 5 and the pool has cleared up a lot. It is still no perfect but I can now see the main drain and also can see the brush head at the bottom when I am brushing.

Considering doing an OCLT tonight and if it passes then I will work on balancing the rest of the levels and letting the Chlorine come down. I also want to open the sand filter to inspect and deep clean.

Also there is only 1 return for the pool, is that a normal? My (larger) pool has 4 returns.

Pic for comparison:

IMG_20230310_115254_HDR.jpgIMG_20230310_115303_HDR.jpg
 
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Passing the
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test is just 1 of the 3 end of slam criteria for a reason.
Knowing your results from it at this point may help you determine how things are coming along but without crystal clear water & no visible algae (dead or alive) you’re not finished even if you do pass the oclt.
Keep going!
For a successful
SLAM Process
you need to continue to MAINTAIN Slam level fc for your cya as often as possible (multiple times per day) until you meet ALL 3 end of slam criteria-

You are done when:

CC is 0.5 or lower;
You pass an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test
AND
the water is clear.
(Crystal Clear w/no algae dead or alive)

*Check & scrub every nook & cranny where algae may hide (light niches, steps, drain covers, ladder handrails, skimmer throats/weirs, etc.)
*Run slam level water through all water features & lines for at least a couple hours a day during the SLAM Process.
*Brush & or vac daily (this breaks up biofilms that algae uses to protect itself from chlorine)
*Backwash/clean filter when pressure rises 25%over clean pressure.

SLAM ON! 😄
 
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Day 7.

I opened the filter and removed about an inch of crust from the surface and gave it a deep clean. I doubt it has ever been opened since last sand change which is unknown but I suspect many many years ago, if ever.

Hopefully this will improve filtration and get the last bit of clarity I'm chasing.

CYA tested at <30 so I added 1 kg of stabilizer.
Chlorine still being maintained at 12+

I feel the light is near!
 
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