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Any kind of algae will cause what looks like a layer of dust. It is probably dead algae that is falling to the bottom after you increase the FC. Without SLAMming, it's not completely dying off, so it grows in the water, then more dies and falls when you add chlorine again. Since it's reddish, it...

Test results?

Add CYA in a sock either in front of a return or in the skimmer basket. Don't sweat the pH. It's low, but it will likely creep up by itself in an SWG pool. I recommend leaving the TA alone, too. It will cause the pH to creep up faster, and as you add acid to keep the pH from hitting 8.0...

When you say it "sounds exactly like mustard algae", could you describe what you are seeing that matches mustard algae behavior/characteristics? I would start with the assumption that you have plain ole algae and SLAM...

Yes, get the FC and CYA close, and then move to the salt system.

First, add liquid chlorine to get FC up to 4 (use poolmath to see the quantity). Wait an hour with the filter running, and test chlorine again. Add more if you need to. Keep doing this until you hit an FC of at least 4. Since you already added CYA, I recommend you don't touch the tabs. The CYA...

Either the Taylor K-2006C (you can find it on Amazon) or the TF-100 which is sold by this site's owner here: http://tftestkits.net/TFTestkits-TF-100-p4.html See: http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/124-pool-test-kits-comparison for a comparison of different kits with the needed tests.

I would refill and use chemicals because the pool and liner are using the water to stay stable and in place. You could be inviting new problems if you drain it all the way. Chlorine will get it clean. You'll need to do something called SLAM, and you'll need a high-quality test kit to be able to...

I think your theory about lack of circulation is correct. The FC can drop in nooks and crannies as it fights an algae growth attempt. If the water does not circulate to add chlorine-filled water, the algae will win and grow in those low circulation areas. How much to worry about it is an...

Hey, how are you doing? What are your latest numbers?

I don't know about vacuuming when the skimmers are dry. Go ahead and refill and retest the water. Get it balanced, and then worry about vacuuming.

Yay! on the manageable CYA level. That large a drop in FC with CYA at 50 seems really strange. I would SLAM; the chlorine is reacting with something. Is CC at 0 first thing in the morning before the sun hits the water?

Re: 3 questions oving Forward WIth Newly Filled/Balanced Pool In the winter, your chlorine consumption will be much lower, even with the sunny days. You will need to add some, but not nearly the rate you use in summer. You'll probably want CYA at 50 with the long sunny days you have there...

I trust your results more than the pool store's. Even if their test is accurate, the chlorine test is time-sensitive; 15 minutes is too long to wait before testing it to get a reliable reading. Re-test and see if CC is still running above 0.5. If it is, the chlorine is interacting with...

Yay! Clear is subjective, and you will get a much better feel for it the longer you keep your water in balance and see what it's supposed to look like. You can use the pool even while the water is cloudy as long as you can see swimmers all the way to the bottom. Cloudiness is not a health issue...

Another vote for SWG. If you need to leave the pool on self-pilot for 2-week stretches, SWG will do a fine job at preventing green. Just make sure you're keeping an eye on pH as soon as you get back from the trips. Ozone and UV systems are not useful in an outdoor, low bather load pool...

Is this a plaster pool? If so, go out and spray the plaster walls with the hose; keep the plaster damp while it's re-filling. You don't want it to get too dry or hot or it may form cracks.

Nice work--it looks great!

Don't worry about the TA until you get a pH reading. Dropping the TA using acid will also drop the pH, and that may not be ok to do right now. You won't know for sure until you can get an accurate pH reading. TA is the last priority in getting the water balanced.

Richard beat me---what he said! -------------------------------------------------------(my original post below) 1. Add muriatic acid to get the pH down. Run the filter and brush the pool to get it all mixed. 2. Add liquid chlorine assuming you have whatever your target CYA is. That tap water...

Re: Drain and Refill Almost Done — Next Step/ As noted above, pH and FC are your most immediate concerns. You're going to have to pay close attention to that pH for a while given the high CH level and currently high TA. TA will come down as you keep pushing the pH back down. In sunny Arizona...

Great job! Yes, I would turn off the SWS until the FC drifts down to 6-8. There is no need to run it right now. Also, you don't need to run the pH test until FC < 10. At that point, test pH and see if you need to adjust it. (The pH test loses accuracy when FC is above 10.)

Yes, your CSI is high, but within range. It's not causing a problem. It will go too high if you add calcium right now, and it will go too high if you don't stay on top of keeping your pH in-line like you're doing right now. I think that is what Smykowski is getting at--typically, your calcium...

Oh, and welcome! :D

What are the ingredients listed in the "shock"? If it's a non-chlorine shock, it may be causing a false CC reading. If you know how many pucks you put in, you can use PoolMath (http://www.troublefreepool.com/calc.html) to calculate how much CYA you've added. Put your pool size in number of...

I would bring it up to SLAM level, and run the OCLT tonight. That will tell you whether you need to keep going with the SLAM in the morning.

2 inches a week isn't excessive here this time of year. Do the bucket test; that's the only way to know for sure.

There is no such thing as "clean chlorine" granules. (Although, if somebody figures out how to do it, they can make a fortune!) Granules and pucks either add CYA or they add calcium. The Turbo Shock adds calcium, as posted above. The "shock" from my local Walmart also adds calcium, and since...

Welcome! Very cool that the previous owner sent you here. You're on the right track with the SLAM; isn't it great to see progress? Just keep following the process and update us on your progress. On the CYA being gone, if the FC dropped to 0, it is possible that something (bacteria) converted...

Pools with algae will guzzle chlorine. It sounds like you need to follow the SLAM process: http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/125-slam-shock-level-and-maintain-shockingl Before you start, you'll need a test kit that can tell you your CYA level and also read higher chlorine levels than your...