Another update. The hits just keep on coming......
i concluded the SLAM and allowed my FC levels to drop down to the appropriate levels for my CYA (45 ppm - ~7 ppm). I also stabilized my other parameters in the following manner:
Increased CH by adding hardener
Decreased Ph by adding muratic acid (over shot this in an attempt to reduce TA)
Here is where the fun begins. First, I noticed some small patches of what looked like algae in a spot the it was previously located before the SLAM. It was small and very hard to scrub off. All spots show up in the corners between the pool bottom and the wall or a similar place on the steps on the same side of the pool. Second, while my overnight FC reductions were stabilized right at 1 ppm, I've noticed extreme drops during the day. I decided to test CYA again and for the second time in this 3-week process I saw a significant drop in CYA (from 45 to below 30 within a day). I have an automatic float switch that adds city water to the pool when the water level dips less than an inch. At first I attributed the CYA loss to this. Well that broke five days ago so now I've been watching the water levels dip (approximately 3 inches in five days). Also, I have received some rain, but IMO, not enough to warrant a CYA drop.
Here are my latest test results after the overnight period:
FC - 5.5 (dropped 1 ppm from the previous afternoon which is consistent with previous overnight drops).
CC - 0. This has remained steady for awhile now, but up until yesterday I had been maintaining above or close to SLAM-level FC with clear water and no signs of algae.
Ph - Started at 7.8, but I worked it down to 7.2 - I was hoping to let the waterfall bring this up while maintaining a lowered TA.
TA - Started at 140 and I worked it down to 120 via the process described above. I was trying to get it sufficiently low enough to achieve an optimal CSI.
CH - Increased it from 70 to 220 in 24 hours.
CYA - Dropped from 45 to below 30 (barely off the K-2006 meter) in 24 hours.
A few notes:
The pool surface is gunite and old. there are portions of the surface that have been chipped away. There is also a white pasty film I can remove with my fingernails. I'm not sure if this is paint or just degraded plaster. When I conducted my original drain and replace, I added a bunch of city water. City water here is very soft and has a TA of 200. That resulted in low CH levels during the slam process. I'm sure that did not help the already-degraded surface. A chalky dust plume kicks up every time I rake for leaves or scrub. I figured it was a combination of dead algae, dirt, and plaster material. During the SLAM my FC dropped below slam-level for a day because I had to go out of town. Therefore, I decided to use my new Dolphin to clean the surface of the pool to remove some of this dusty material. I did not want to use my new equipment in elevated FC levels. The robot grabbed a bunch of the pasty white material each time. I had purchased some DE and was planning on using it today along with the dolphin to remedy some of this.
The pool has a rather large cascading water fall that quickly aerates the pool and increases Ph (see pictures in previous posts).
There are rock features all along the edge and side of the pool (see pictures in previous posts). If it was not for those I'd be barking up the SWG tree. They look nice, but they present many hidden opportunities for hidden organics.
There are numerous small plants located along the pool that keep me busy with the net.
The previous owner planted a crape mrytle tree just to the west of the pool which is driving me crazy. I've kept the pool clean of debris however.
I removed the two light casings and scrubbed inside them during the slam. I also scrubbed under the rock features as best I could. I still feel I could have scrubbed more on the bottom in the deep end by it wasn't time feasible and is difficult from the surface.
The sand filter was replaced a few weeks ago and after initial increases in pressure and subsequent backwashing, began to operate at consistent pressure levels during the SLAM.
The water has never been green since I began SLAMing but it does get cloudy from kicking up the plume. It got really cloudy the one time I ran the Dolphin. But toward the end it was crystal clear unless I kicked up the plume.
The only indications of algae I've ever seen have been small patches in the corners or on the steps (before SLAMing). It was green spots or patches.
We've had a few weeks of triple-digit heat in South Louisiana.
It seems the most plausible possabilities here are:
1) The SLAM was not carried out long enough and therefore needs to be redone
2) I have Mustard Algae or an ammonia issue that would require SLAMing at a greater level. This could also cause the CYA loss.
3) I have a leak causing the CYA loss. I plan on conducting the bucket test.
4) While maintaining a CC of 0 (for now), I'm overreacting to the small algae spots and need to concentrate on the CYA issue.
I've always heard the issues associated with owning a pool and I knew it would require extra work, but it's starting to disrupt my ability to be a dad or be at work. I know by choosing to use the TFP method that additional responsibilities are required on the front end and I accept that. I could just toss hockey pucks in there and cut the kids loose to go swim, but I've set the bar higher than that. I can no longer keep my kids out of the pool so any significant work will need to happen after this weekend.
Please let me know what y'all think. I've learned a bunch in the last three weeks, but I'm still a relative pool virgin.
Thanks in advance.