Hi all
Just posted an introductory post, thanks in advance for your advice.
As noted in my post, I have a reasonable grasp on what I am doing, but was hoping for some help on a specific item.
About 6 weeks ago I had an algae outbreak. Prior to the outbreak, I notice that I had to keep raising my chlorine setting on my SWG. After reaching max (8), I needed to then start increasing my filter run time from 8 - 10 hours per day. The pool shop noted that all people have trouble with SWG during hot whether periods and that I needed to substitute with stabilised chlorine. At the time my stabiliser levels where in the range.
Shortly after I let the water get too low which stopped filtering for a night, and the pool turned green. I ran a shock process as prescribed by the pool shop using non stabalised chlorine and an algaecide. I then cleared the algae by way of vacuuming and the pool and it was back clear again. Then, a week later I accidentally let some air into my filter when clearing the pump basket. When I turned the filter back on and it forced the air into the pool via the returns, it also forced a whole lot of green much. I then cleared the pool via a clarifier tablet and back washed.
After the shock, I lasted 6 weeks with the salt chlorinator set at 3 and the filter running for 8 hours per day. The Chlorine was quite stable.
Recently, due to some heavy use, the FC dropped to about 0.5 - 1. Since then, I have needed to constantly increase the Chlorine level on the SWG. I am now back to 7 (out of 8) and it's only just maintaining my FC level at around 3.
A test at the local pool shop reveals the following:
FC 2.8
CC 2.8 (total chlorine)
PH 7.5
TA 95
CYA 43
CH 227
Salt 4530
Copper - 0
I have also added a maintenance dose of Algaecide (copper based), the same as I used to in the shock
The pool gets about 5 hours of direct sun per day as it's between two houses.
The water temp is 28 degrees celsius, outside temp has been high 38 degrees celsius.
Swimming once per day to once every two days.
I don't currently have an at home kit suitable to carry out a OCLT test, but I will try to perform over the weekend by taking a sample at evening and morning. I am in the process of purchasing the recommended test kit.
My question is, why does my Chlorine demand keep rising. I am guessing that there must be a form of algae that is eating it all up, but the pool is clear. Does this indicate I need to SLAM the pool. If so, is it better to SLAM using Chlorine or an oxidiser? The last time I shocked the pool I couldn't use it for 2 weeks, so I am hoping I may be able to use an oxidiser if possible?
I know there are people on this forum who rarely need to SLAM , so am open to any advice on how I can keep my Chlorine demand at a steady rate.
One other bit of information, a blond child who recently swam in my pool (for about 4 hours) got green hair??!? I don't know if this is due to the copper algaecide, but it says - no green hair, and copper came up 0 on the test??
I have read similar threads but none that specifically relate to my issue.
Thanks in advance.
Just posted an introductory post, thanks in advance for your advice.
As noted in my post, I have a reasonable grasp on what I am doing, but was hoping for some help on a specific item.
About 6 weeks ago I had an algae outbreak. Prior to the outbreak, I notice that I had to keep raising my chlorine setting on my SWG. After reaching max (8), I needed to then start increasing my filter run time from 8 - 10 hours per day. The pool shop noted that all people have trouble with SWG during hot whether periods and that I needed to substitute with stabilised chlorine. At the time my stabiliser levels where in the range.
Shortly after I let the water get too low which stopped filtering for a night, and the pool turned green. I ran a shock process as prescribed by the pool shop using non stabalised chlorine and an algaecide. I then cleared the algae by way of vacuuming and the pool and it was back clear again. Then, a week later I accidentally let some air into my filter when clearing the pump basket. When I turned the filter back on and it forced the air into the pool via the returns, it also forced a whole lot of green much. I then cleared the pool via a clarifier tablet and back washed.
After the shock, I lasted 6 weeks with the salt chlorinator set at 3 and the filter running for 8 hours per day. The Chlorine was quite stable.
Recently, due to some heavy use, the FC dropped to about 0.5 - 1. Since then, I have needed to constantly increase the Chlorine level on the SWG. I am now back to 7 (out of 8) and it's only just maintaining my FC level at around 3.
A test at the local pool shop reveals the following:
FC 2.8
CC 2.8 (total chlorine)
PH 7.5
TA 95
CYA 43
CH 227
Salt 4530
Copper - 0
I have also added a maintenance dose of Algaecide (copper based), the same as I used to in the shock
The pool gets about 5 hours of direct sun per day as it's between two houses.
The water temp is 28 degrees celsius, outside temp has been high 38 degrees celsius.
Swimming once per day to once every two days.
I don't currently have an at home kit suitable to carry out a OCLT test, but I will try to perform over the weekend by taking a sample at evening and morning. I am in the process of purchasing the recommended test kit.
My question is, why does my Chlorine demand keep rising. I am guessing that there must be a form of algae that is eating it all up, but the pool is clear. Does this indicate I need to SLAM the pool. If so, is it better to SLAM using Chlorine or an oxidiser? The last time I shocked the pool I couldn't use it for 2 weeks, so I am hoping I may be able to use an oxidiser if possible?
I know there are people on this forum who rarely need to SLAM , so am open to any advice on how I can keep my Chlorine demand at a steady rate.
One other bit of information, a blond child who recently swam in my pool (for about 4 hours) got green hair??!? I don't know if this is due to the copper algaecide, but it says - no green hair, and copper came up 0 on the test??
I have read similar threads but none that specifically relate to my issue.
Thanks in advance.