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    Algae? PH drifts up... CYA falls...

    I've had an odd summer when it comes to my pool chemistry. I've battled what I think is an algae problem all summer - I have the brownish residue that disappears when swept (see pic). I brought it up to SLAM levels several times and passed the test but I continue to battle the brown residue and...
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    SLAM - Water Features?

    This is my 6th summer using the TFP method. I am starting day 5 of a SLAM due to brown "dust" (algae) on bottom of pool and along seems and in wrinkles on stairs. I am brushing and using Dolphin to clean everyday and backwashing when needed. Water is crystal clear (see pics). I cannot find the...
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    Cloudy water

    Hi - I'm helping a friend who follows pool advice - they are willing to try BBB to get their cloudy water in check. I tested for them and here are their numbers: FC = 5 CC = 1 PH = < 7.0 (PROB 6.9 OR 6.8) CYA = 70 TA = 180 I am going to advise him to bring up ph and then bring FC...
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    Hardness and TDS

    I had my water tested at the pool store and according to them, my hardness is 316 and they suggested adding 3 qts Scale Inhibitor. I have a vinyl lined pool. Is this necessary? When I test with my Taylor kit I get around 200 but I don't regularly test that because I didn't think it was...
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    CYA

    This is my first full summer with the BBB method. Last summer and earlier this summer, my CYA was high so I didn't have to add as much chlorine. My CYA has now drifted down to 27 (per pool store/40 per my test kit) and I feel like I am adding chlorine a lot - I usually add 2 bottles a day and...
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    Scaling, TA

    This is my second summer with the TFP method. I have some scaling and high TA and wondering what suggestions are out there. My numbers: FC = 6 CC = .5 PH = 7.4 TA = 150 CYA = 50 CH = 175 (pool store hardness sample = 354) I have a vinyl liner, so I thought the CH doesn't matter that much...
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    Questions about closing

    I live in an area that freezes and must winterize my pool. I've followed the BBB method all summer with great results! After researching winterizing, I have a question about chemicals - one place I read said to bring it to SLAM level and close and the other place I read said to bring it to...
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    Should I SLAM???

    I am new this summer to the Trouble Free Method, so I am still learning. With that said, I'm not sure if I should SLAM or not... I am losing chlorine overnight - last night was 2ppm. The water looks clear but there is a gray 'powdery' looking material on the bottom - even after vacuuming...
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    Why is CYA increasing?

    I just completed my first SLAM after 2 partial drains to reduce CYA. Got my cc down to .2, water is clear and passed the OCLT test. However, my CYA has increased the past few days after only using bleach for chlorine. I did have some old silk tabs in my feeder but the feeder was dialed to the...
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    Newbie with new test numbers - what to tackle first?

    I just completed my second partial drain and refill due to sky high CYA and TA. Here are my new numbers: FC = .4 CC = .4 PH = 7.6 TA = 275 CH = 175 CYA = 55 The water has a greenish tint to it after refill. Do I need to decrease the ph more before beginning the SLAM process? Approximately how...
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    Drain/Refilled - CYA didn't go down - now what?

    I drained and refilled 40% of my pool to reduce my extremely high CYA, alkalinity and chlorine. However, my CYA did not go down that I can tell! What is my next step? NEW NUMBERS FC = 9 CC = .4 PH 7.8 Calc = 210 TA = 325 CYA = 150 - 'Guesstimate' because black dot disappears so quickly...
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    Received Test Kit - Now What?

    I received my Taylor K-2006 and here are the results: TODAY/YESTERDAY FC = 20/32.5 CC = 1/0 PH 7.6/7.6 Calc = 325/ 325 TA = 525/550 CYA = 150/150 - 'Guesstimate' because black dot disappears so quickly. Let me say, I am a total novice! Pool is 6 years old and we've...
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    Can't Raise Alkalinity - Help!

    Help - I cannot get my alkalinity to come up. The pool store hasn't been able to help me and I don't know enough to figure it out! Pool sample last Tuesday (10 days ago) CYA = 108 Tot Chlorine = 5.1 Free Chlorine = 5.1 PH = 7.3 Total Alk = 0 Adj TA = 0 Added about 25 lbs sodium bicarb per...