Help pleaseeee :D

[steveb21]

I have only been in the pool maintenance game for 12 months, completed a SLAM last year and got myself clued up on how things work.

I have been away for a few months and had a friend to check FC/CC levels for me - not his fault however I don't think he understood how things work.

Anyway, I am back home now.

Pool has had a solar cover on for 2 months - with the odd exposure to daylight.

Issues:
The plaster where the coping meets the wall of the pool is breaking up, along with the small tiles coming off! I picked up approx. 20 tiles that had come off from around the water line. Looking at the results below, I take it this is because the CH has dropped so low?

CYA - I done the test multiple times, each occasion I could still see the black dot - so my CYA is below 30. What shall I do about this? I cannot SLAM until I know an approx. CYA rating.

Pool floor needs a clean up of leaves that have fallen.


I am little confused on what order to tackle things so any input would be great.

Completed tests now as follows:

FC = 0 (added 3 drops of powder)
CC = 0.5
PH 7.4
TA = 30 (3 drops)
CH = 120 (12 drops)
CYA = 30 maybe even less - dot is still visible



(A test which I did 6 months back were:

FC 8
CC 0
pH 7.2
CH 280 (aim is to get this to around 350)
TA 80 (was 100 before i started reducing pH)
CYA 40)

 

[Texas Splash]

Hello Steve! Looks like a SLAM is in order first. To do that, you'll want to do the following:
- Lower pH just a little more if you can - to about 7.2 to be safe.
- Make sure the CYA is clearly to 30
- Increase FC to "12" (based on a CYA of 30) and continue with the SLAM (link below). If you find out later the CYA went a little higher closer to 40, then your FC SLAM level will be 16.

Once you complete the SLAM, then it will be time to address the low calcium level which will include:
- Increasing TA to the recommended minimum
- Maintaining the pH in the mid-7s range
- Increasing CH to the recommended minimum range

The TFP recommended levels (link) is below in my signature as well. Hope that helps. Good luck!

 

[steveb21]

SLAM time - again!

Questions:
I have removed the solar cover - OK?
Shall I leave trying to clear up the leaves on the pool floor? or get much as I can out now?
Shall I start the pump?
pH - Pool math states to add 200g dry acid to reduce to 7.2 from 7.4
As stated on my tests, the CYA is below 30, how can I raise this?
I tested CYA on my tap water - I get the same results ? The CYA reagent I have has a date of 06/18

What about the small tiles that have come off? I can see some others are a little loose aswell now.

There is an on coming big temp drop coming for the next 7 days, temp dropping to -6 for a few days over night, will this have any affect on the SLAM?

 

[mknauss]

You should leave the cover off during the SLAM
Get all the leaves out.
You need to run the pump to SLAM
You should use muriatic acid to lower pH. Dry Acid (sodium bisulfate) adds sulfates to your pool water. As they build up they destroy metal items and concrete (plaster).
You use Cyanuric powder to raise your CYA. Place the powder in a sock and hang in front of a return. I would add CYA in 10 ppm steps so that you do not go too high.

Not sure about the tiles. To just put them back you might be able to use a water resistant caulking or adhesive.

Why would your CH fall so much? Rain? You need to add that now too.

Take care.

 

[steveb21]

Hey buddy, I recall speaking to you last year regarding muriatic acid and not using sodium bisulphate.
https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/150803-Reducing-pH?p=1336172#post1336172

There is the thread - I was going to (have not yet) order the brick cleaner as the manufacturers stated it was plain muriatic acid. At the moment shall I use the sodium bisulphate I have to reduce ph 7.2 from 7.4 ? or shall I wait for the order to come through?

Again, as I am in the UK, I cannot get hold of Cyanuric powder ... how else can I increase CYA?

 

[mknauss]

You can use dichlor or trichlor to increase your CYA. Monitor how much you add. Use it for your FC until your CYA gets were you want it.

Why are you dropping your pH so low? In the 7's is good. In fact, with your low CH, I would keep it in the high 7's until you get your CH up. And the dichlor or trichlor are acidic. So be aware of that.

I would suspect long term use of sodium bisulfate is attributing to your loss of tiles.

 

[steveb21]

Ah I just ready that pH can be between 7.2 and 7.5 for SLAM - so im OK with my current reading of 7.4pH (I will order the muriatic acid for future use )

Last year by CYA was set at 40 - I guess that on OK figure for an inground?

I have some PUCKS which the previous owner left behind, they should do the trick for bring up CYA right?


Shall I add a puck, restest in a few days and then start SLAM when I have correct CYA ?

 

[Texas Splash]

I have some PUCKS which the previous owner left behind, they should do the trick for bring up CYA right? Shall I add a puck, retest in a few days and then start SLAM when I have correct CYA level?

They will increase CYA - slowly but surely. To see how much it will increase per puck, refer to the "Effects of Adding Chemicals" as listed on the Poolmath Calculator. No need to wait to do the SLAM and remove algae. If you have chlorine available, increase the FC to 12 and maintain it until you pass all 3 SLAM criteria. You can follow-up on the CYA progress over the next week or two. Once the CYA is where you want it, stop using pucks and stick with a non-stabilized chlorine. If you have any Cal-Hypo chlorine products in your area, that could also be used to increase FC while also increasing your CH level at the same time.

 

[steveb21]

Sorry f this sounds obvious however why do I know I need to slam at CYA30 / Shock level FC 12 WHEN.... I CYA is 30 and below?

I have chlorine liquid available, are you suggesting I add a puck to the skimmer basket (to aid with increasing CYA) and also liquid chlorine to bump on the FC?

 

[Texas Splash]

Sorry f this sounds obvious however why do I know I need to slam at CYA30 / Shock level FC 12 WHEN.... I CYA is 30 and below?

Perhaps I misunderstood Steve - my apologies. If you have no algae following your return, then there is no need to SLAM. Simply adjust your levels as required and press-on. Yes, you can use a puck or two to increase your CYA. We recommend using your in-line chlorinator or a floater though because they are acidic. Never place them in the skimmer basket. Hope that helps. If you have any other questions, please let us know.

 

[cfherrman]

could he put a puck into a sock and bust it up with a hammer, then set it front of a return not touching the pool?

How much rain did you get? I believe your pool has got a 56% water dilution from rain and the water level was so high it got into your coping and behind it too many times.

Use pool math to add enough pucks to get from a estimated '17' cya to 30-40 (I would add around 20ppm). With the miss managed pool I would go ahead and slam it so you can be 100% certain your good to go and no troubles later when it's actually hot.

 

[steveb21]

The water level got high however not has high has hitting the coping level .... ?

The tiles that have come off and taken the grout completely off with them.... so its a plaster type of finish I can see. There was already further tiles already off when I purchased the property. Will try getting pictures up.

- - - Updated - - -

Perhaps I misunderstood Steve - my apologies. If you have no algae following your return, then there is no need to SLAM. Simply adjust your levels as required and press-on. Yes, you can use a puck or two to increase your CYA. We recommend using your in-line chlorinator or a floater though because they are acidic. Never place them in the skimmer basket. Hope that helps. If you have any other questions, please let us know.

No need to apologise buddy, you are prob right, im just trying to make sense of this all

I happy to go through with a SLAM that's not the issue, my query was why would I shock against a CYA of 30 ... when in fact currently my CYA is less than that?

 

[Texas Splash]

my query was why would I shock against a CYA of 30 ... when in fact currently my CYA is less than that?

You wouldn't - unless there was indeed algae or you failed an overnight (OCLT) test. If all is well with your water, then simply bump-up that CYA and maintain your FC to the appropriate level and you should do fine.

 

[denniswiseman]

I’m in the UK and don’t have a problem getting CYA search for chlorine stabiliser conditioner
This link is one http://www.ukpoolstore.co.uk/a catalog/blue_horizons_chlorine_stabiliser_cyanuric_acid.html

 

[denniswiseman]

I’m in the UK and don’t have a problem getting CYA search for chlorine stabiliser conditioner
This link is one http://www.ukpoolstore.co.uk/a catalog/blue_horizons_chlorine_stabiliser_cyanuric_acid.html

Blue Horizons Chlorine Stabiliser - Cyanuric Acid - Chlorine Stabiliser
Sorry that link above got messed up

 

[steveb21]

Thank you! Funny enough now ive seen a pic of it.... I think there is a tub in the garage! Will double check shortly.

 

[steveb21]

Yep, I have :grin:

Its the same brand aswell although slightly different packaging. Chlorine Stabiliser / Chlorine Granules.

Plan of action tomorrow:

Vacuum pool
Add granules to increase CYA

How long after do I have to wait to add chlorine?

Thanks

 

[AftonJeeper]

You can add the chlorine now. The sun will burn off the chlorine quicker when the CYA level is low. That is why a minimum of 30 is recommended.

Maintain your FC and pH daily. Keep an eye on the other numbers every week or so. More often if you are having issues.

 

[cfherrman]

Cya of 20-30 is also recommend since you can test for that, anything under 20 is a guess.

 

[steveb21]

Thanks for all your input so far.

We are having a drop in temperature currently in the UK. Was -3 last night with it to to drop to -6 in a few days - expecting the cold snap to last a week.

With the solar cover removed there was a blanket of ice over the pool this morning - will this cause any issues?

I guess its a thought to leave the pump running until the cold snap stops? If not shall i release the prime in the pump to allow air in?