- Jun 7, 2016
- 78
- Pool Size
- 32000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60
I let the pool go for about a month (vacation, laziness, etc.) and now appear to have an ammonia and algae problem.
I initially put in 12 gallons of 8.25% bleach to start SLAM (unaware of ammonia - expecting CYA to be around 60), let it circulate overnight, tested FC in the morning at 0.5. I put in another 12 gallons and did a full water test (I know I should have done this from the start).
pH: 7.5
FC: 0.5
CC: 8.5
TA: 270
CH: 475
CYA: 0
Bor: 20
I do research to figure out how the CYA could have evaporated and learn about ammonia. First resource I found indicated that to get rid of ammonia put chlorine in at a ratio of 10 ppm for every ppm of ammonia + 1 ppm chlorine for every ppm of CC.
So I go buy ammonia test strips, test the ammonia at 4.5 ppm, and put in 26 gallons of bleach at about midnight, test at 7 the next morning, FC shows 1 and CC now reads at 24.
I do some more research and find a thread (https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/111138-Dealing-with-Ammonia) that says after starting SLAM, test FC at 10-minute intervals.
Questions:
- Because I didn’t hold the shock level, has the chlorine I’ve added thus far gone to waste, or would it have helped somewhat?
- Sounds like I only need to get shock level to 10 ppm, which is about 5 gallons to start, correct?
- I have some algaecide as well, would it help to put any in, or just shock first?
- If the ammonia is going to consume the bleach fast enough that I need to test at 10-minute intervals, how much bleach is it going to take (considering I’ve already put in 50 gallons so far)?
- Are there other options? Flush out some of the water? Drain it all the way?
- Temps are under 60 now, so algae shouldn’t continue to grow further; will it cause problems if I leave it as-is until spring?
The pool needs some repairs as well (new coping, acid wash, painting, etc.); I’ve thought about draining it now in preparation for those repairs, but am concerned about the pool floating/rising without water in it; is that a possibility? I tried to do some research and it sounded like it can happen more from high water saturation in the ground, not necessarily as a result of ground freezing, but not sure. It’ll need to be emptied for repairs eventually, so how do you mitigate that risk? Is it how long it’s empty (a month is okay, 6 months is a risk)? I’m also concerned about the cover and being weighed down by snow (i.e., ripping out the tracks) without the water to help support it from underneath, but also don’t want to leave a big open hold all winter (and have it fill up with water and leaves).
I initially put in 12 gallons of 8.25% bleach to start SLAM (unaware of ammonia - expecting CYA to be around 60), let it circulate overnight, tested FC in the morning at 0.5. I put in another 12 gallons and did a full water test (I know I should have done this from the start).
pH: 7.5
FC: 0.5
CC: 8.5
TA: 270
CH: 475
CYA: 0
Bor: 20
I do research to figure out how the CYA could have evaporated and learn about ammonia. First resource I found indicated that to get rid of ammonia put chlorine in at a ratio of 10 ppm for every ppm of ammonia + 1 ppm chlorine for every ppm of CC.
So I go buy ammonia test strips, test the ammonia at 4.5 ppm, and put in 26 gallons of bleach at about midnight, test at 7 the next morning, FC shows 1 and CC now reads at 24.
I do some more research and find a thread (https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/111138-Dealing-with-Ammonia) that says after starting SLAM, test FC at 10-minute intervals.
Questions:
- Because I didn’t hold the shock level, has the chlorine I’ve added thus far gone to waste, or would it have helped somewhat?
- Sounds like I only need to get shock level to 10 ppm, which is about 5 gallons to start, correct?
- I have some algaecide as well, would it help to put any in, or just shock first?
- If the ammonia is going to consume the bleach fast enough that I need to test at 10-minute intervals, how much bleach is it going to take (considering I’ve already put in 50 gallons so far)?
- Are there other options? Flush out some of the water? Drain it all the way?
- Temps are under 60 now, so algae shouldn’t continue to grow further; will it cause problems if I leave it as-is until spring?
The pool needs some repairs as well (new coping, acid wash, painting, etc.); I’ve thought about draining it now in preparation for those repairs, but am concerned about the pool floating/rising without water in it; is that a possibility? I tried to do some research and it sounded like it can happen more from high water saturation in the ground, not necessarily as a result of ground freezing, but not sure. It’ll need to be emptied for repairs eventually, so how do you mitigate that risk? Is it how long it’s empty (a month is okay, 6 months is a risk)? I’m also concerned about the cover and being weighed down by snow (i.e., ripping out the tracks) without the water to help support it from underneath, but also don’t want to leave a big open hold all winter (and have it fill up with water and leaves).
