Last 10% on SLAM and prepping for the next problem(s). Stains and deterioration?

[TonyMoc12549]

I started a SLAM on 07/08 not because I could see algae but because I kept losing FC and couldn't see why. I have passed OCLT a few times only to fail it the next day when I tried to get 2 days in a row. This morning my drop was 0.5 as I tested at 20 FC last night (10 pm) and was at 19.5 (6 am) this morning; I tested 2 times this morning to verify. CYA one-week ago was between 30-40...so I'm currently leaning toward 30 since I've added about 2-inches of water this week in order to backwash/clean filter. I know it's subjective, but its my best guess. My FC has not been less than 12 in 8-days. Thanks to reading on other SLAM forums...I found algae in the 2 light housings (07/12/15); and I believe a big problem (algae-wise) was the fact that my main return in the bottom of the pool had been turned off - for the most part - for about 8 years - except at pool closing time when I blow the lines out. It has been open and flowing since 07/13/2015 (2 weeks) when I read a SLAM forum and had a TFP ah-hah moment . Other than that I can't figure out why I haven't completed the SLAM but I'm running out of ideas and places to look. Based upon reading I also checked my two skimmer flaps but didn't find any there. This morning I tooth-brushed the grout lines leading into the skimmer area and had some "dust" go in the skimmer. Not sure if it was grout dust or dead algae dust, but its done and exposed to the FC.

This past weekend, I back-washed, took the filter apart; hosed all the grids down so they were white again and re-installed. I didn't do a Strip-Kwik treatment as I didn't have any, but the water was flowing well out of the grids so I don't believe I have any real "oil-based" blockages since I did a thorough cleaning in the Spring. See attached picture...left side has been sprayed...and the right side is post-backwash...is that color/gunk right for a post-backwash appearance?

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For the last 5 days I've been diligent about the brushing as I want to end this SLAM and get on to maintenance - but I am getting really concerned that my Ray-Vac is picking up this (ignore leaves please)...

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My CH for the last 2 weeks has been at 250; This morning I measured again because of water addition and it is now 225. Initially, I thought I had a broken grid in my filter with DE escaping, but this material is too course and I think it's my pool.

Finally, I have a fair amount of plaster staining. I'm having a hard time getting a good picture, but most of the staining looks like this...
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My apologies for dumping so much out there, but it's been building up for days and I'm hoping someone out there can help me. I just order my 3rd 2-oz bottle of R-0871 and all I can say is thank God for SpeedStir .

By the way...pool looks amazing...but LOL, here is problem #4...I don't know if the color is a problem or not. The blue hue seems much darker than I've ever seen it...is that right? Even my wife and kids have commented that they like the color, but I don't know if it's right or not so I just tell them I am working on it.

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Thanks for reading all that....suggestions?

Tony

 

[Divin Dave]

Hi Tony,
have you checked for algae behid your pool light. Its common to read other posts like yours, and the light niche behind the light was full of it. Any autofill that doesnt get used? Algae will hide in a autofill thing too. Any water pipes at all that havent been opened.... etc.

 

[TonyMoc12549]

Hi Dave, I did pull the lights out about 2 weeks ago and ran back to start up the vacuum there was so much stuff in the cavity. I scrubbed the lights; and inside the cavity; wiped/scrubbed the cord the best i could and re-assembled. How often do you need to do that? And LOL, a day after the light cleaning...it was probably a previous post of yours that made me re-think a closed water pipe...but that has been open for 2 weeks now. Sorry, what do you mean by "any autofill"?