My pool was built last winter, and I started filling in early December. I have followed TFP methodologies since Day 1...I even had my TF-100 test kit before we started filling. I do the full suite of testing every Friday, and a few times a week I use the Taylor K-1000 to check chlorine (orthotolidine) and pH. Other than some pH and alkalinity excursions during the initial days right after filling, I am not aware of any time that my chemistry has been "out of whack" (according to TFP recommendations), and I've never seen my TC drop below 3. My pool has been clean and sparkly since Day 1--even my fill water was perfectly clear!
I don't have a "traditional" in-ground pool with waterline tile; instead, I have gunite boulders that roll from my decking into the water, which make for a lagoon-type of vibe. (Check out my build thread if you want to see what I'm talking about.) Do to the design, it's hard to use my pole brush to clean the boulder waterline. Instead, I use a small hand brush and clean the waterline boulders when we're swimming. Recently, when I brush this area, I see a brief amount of brown cloud that quickly dissipates. This cloud seems to be the same color as the brownish dye in my gunite boulders. If I run my hand over some of the nooks and crannies, it can sometimes feel something a bit slimy. A few days after brushing all of this away, it seems to come back.
So I know what you're thinking right now: "This Bauman guy is another one of those pool owners who can't possibly imagine that his pool has algae." But please hear me out...while I cannot imagine how any algae found the opportunity to take over, I am fully open to the possibility that I might be suffering from this malady. But before admitting my pool care failures to the entire world, I've been trying to self-diagnose my problems. I thought I might SLAM my pool just to be sure, but I'm not sure how I know when I'd be done since I already pass all 3 indicators:
Does anybody have any idea what this could be, or is this something I shouldn't even worry about? And what would be the purpose of doing a SLAM, since I already pass the requirements?
Oh yeah....before I forget. Here's what inquiring minds want to know:
*I raised my FC before the OCLT. I know I wasn't at SLAM levels, but I wanted a bit more resolution during the test. Last night it took 31 drops for the vial to get completely clear, and this morning it also took 31 drops.
I don't have a "traditional" in-ground pool with waterline tile; instead, I have gunite boulders that roll from my decking into the water, which make for a lagoon-type of vibe. (Check out my build thread if you want to see what I'm talking about.) Do to the design, it's hard to use my pole brush to clean the boulder waterline. Instead, I use a small hand brush and clean the waterline boulders when we're swimming. Recently, when I brush this area, I see a brief amount of brown cloud that quickly dissipates. This cloud seems to be the same color as the brownish dye in my gunite boulders. If I run my hand over some of the nooks and crannies, it can sometimes feel something a bit slimy. A few days after brushing all of this away, it seems to come back.
So I know what you're thinking right now: "This Bauman guy is another one of those pool owners who can't possibly imagine that his pool has algae." But please hear me out...while I cannot imagine how any algae found the opportunity to take over, I am fully open to the possibility that I might be suffering from this malady. But before admitting my pool care failures to the entire world, I've been trying to self-diagnose my problems. I thought I might SLAM my pool just to be sure, but I'm not sure how I know when I'd be done since I already pass all 3 indicators:
- My pool is currently perfectly clear
- CC is 0 (I've never measured anything greater than 0.5)
- Passed OCLT (I had zero loss between last night at 11:00pm and this morning at 5:00am)
Does anybody have any idea what this could be, or is this something I shouldn't even worry about? And what would be the purpose of doing a SLAM, since I already pass the requirements?
Oh yeah....before I forget. Here's what inquiring minds want to know:
PARAMETER | LAST MEASUREMENT | TYPICAL RANGE for my Pool |
TEMP | 90°F | 85° - 92°F |
pH | 7.5 | 7.5 - 7.8 |
FC | 15.5* | 4 - 6 |
CC | 0 | 0 - 0.5 |
CYA | 70 | 60 - 80 |
TA | 80 | 70 - 80 |
CH | 300 | 275 - 300 |
*I raised my FC before the OCLT. I know I wasn't at SLAM levels, but I wanted a bit more resolution during the test. Last night it took 31 drops for the vial to get completely clear, and this morning it also took 31 drops.