After reading Pool School and The BBB Method AND having a recent problem with Pink Algae, I have decided to "Dive In" to the BBB Method of pool chemistry. I do have a few questions, but first ... my setup and chemistry.
Setup:
24' Round (14,600 gal)
Hayward Pro 18" Sand Filter w/ 1HP Powerflo Matrix Pump (Run from 10am to 8pm)
Water temp. was 80 Degrees today. Sun on pool from about 10am - 8pm
Chemistry:
FC - 2? (The ? is because I use, well, used to use, the dreaded test strip) A TF-100 is on order BTW
TC - Seemed way over 5 (Orange in color using HTH Test (OTO))
pH - 7.0 (HTH test)
CYA - 70 (HTH Test)
Total Alk - 130
Here was my usual method of madness. I would "Float" pucks daily, add a little Baking Soda when the pH tested low. Add shock if the TC was low, not realizing that I was fighting an increasing CYA all along (Darn test strips). I never knew that CYA takes a long time to "burn off" and just accumulates, well, until reading here. As the BBB method stated, "Everything was fine, until one day ....". And for me, Pink Algae that started at my stairs 48 hrs. ago was "one day".
My treatment is / was:
1) Reading this forum.
2) Add shock (2 1/2lbs, with one directly into skimmer) immediately. FC on test strip was dark purple when I tested at 24hrs. (Numbers above are after 48hrs.)
3) Add HTH AlgaeGuard 10 (I want to say 18 oz., should have wrote it down)
4) Ran pump continuously for last 48 hrs.
5) Knock off and manually clean Pink Algae from stairs. (at 24hr. point)
6) Vacuum pool bottom and sides. (at 24hr. point)
7) Backwash pump (at 24hr. point)
8) Added 96oz. of 6% Aldi Bleach because the pool calculator said so using above (48hrs) numbers.
9) Added 18oz. (volume) of HTH pH UP (Sodium Carbonate)
10) Went to Wally World and bought Borax. DID NOT add any, awaiting numbers post Sodium Carbonate.
Now, after 24hrs. it looked like the Pink Algae turned white while I was manually scrubbing and vacuuming. After 48hrs. there are very little "floaties" in the pool, the "cotton candy" looking Pink Algae, which from reading here I realize is actually bacteria. So I am HOPING that my problem is resolving, and it looks like is going in that direction, now that I am keeping on top of the FC number and adding chlorine in relation to CYA. I do realize that because of my high CYA level, and obvious bacteria load (hopefully reduced) that I will be using plenty of chlorine in the short term. But with such a short rest of the season here in the Northeast, I was planning on shopping at Aldi's a lot and letting the CYA dilute naturally. I read a great deal before I post, so please don't flame, now here are my ???
1) With rain, backwashing, and water adds, the CYA should dilute down, right? I really would like to avoid a water exchange if I could.
2) I feel I should be prepared with enough chlorine to fight high CYA (Aldi's is just around the corner), but I wonder in the next few weeks just how much? I guess there are plenty of variables ... most being environmental, that there probably isn't even an answer to this.
3) At pool closing, what should I do if my CYA is still above 40? Do I use twice the shock at closing? With the sun the pool gets I figured a CYA of 40 should suffice during summer, please let me know if you think different as I can see from reading that there are quite a few experts on this forum.
4) Is there a chart that that guides as for how long after you add a chemical, that you can test for that chemical and get accurate results? ex. - 24hrs. after adding Borax or Sodium Carbonate?
5) Away from my pool chemistry, What is a "Safe for Me" FC or TC level for getting in the pool? As I mentioned, I was swimming in a FC and TC bath for a short time (30 mins.) and proceeded to take an immediate shower upon exit and a wash of the swim gear.
6) What is a "Safe for The Family" level of FC and TC? I'm willing to accept some danger, but nothing for my family, thank you.
Anyway, sorry for such a long first post, but I don't roll into a forum uninformed and asking non-pertinent, or already answered questions. I did go to Pool School, well at least most of it ... still getting to the last couple of subjects. This is a VERY informative forum and I WILL be recommending this to my fellow water-logged mateys. I wish I found this forum back in May 2007, our pool installation. Thank you for reading, and thanks in advance for any and all replies!!! AAARRRGGGHHHH!!
BTW - I think Test Strips should be banned from ALL 50 states and US Territories !! Write your Senator and Congressman today !! LOL !!!
I found out the hard way.
The Pirate Morgan
Setup:
24' Round (14,600 gal)
Hayward Pro 18" Sand Filter w/ 1HP Powerflo Matrix Pump (Run from 10am to 8pm)
Water temp. was 80 Degrees today. Sun on pool from about 10am - 8pm
Chemistry:
FC - 2? (The ? is because I use, well, used to use, the dreaded test strip) A TF-100 is on order BTW
TC - Seemed way over 5 (Orange in color using HTH Test (OTO))
pH - 7.0 (HTH test)
CYA - 70 (HTH Test)
Total Alk - 130
Here was my usual method of madness. I would "Float" pucks daily, add a little Baking Soda when the pH tested low. Add shock if the TC was low, not realizing that I was fighting an increasing CYA all along (Darn test strips). I never knew that CYA takes a long time to "burn off" and just accumulates, well, until reading here. As the BBB method stated, "Everything was fine, until one day ....". And for me, Pink Algae that started at my stairs 48 hrs. ago was "one day".
My treatment is / was:
1) Reading this forum.
2) Add shock (2 1/2lbs, with one directly into skimmer) immediately. FC on test strip was dark purple when I tested at 24hrs. (Numbers above are after 48hrs.)
3) Add HTH AlgaeGuard 10 (I want to say 18 oz., should have wrote it down)
4) Ran pump continuously for last 48 hrs.
5) Knock off and manually clean Pink Algae from stairs. (at 24hr. point)
6) Vacuum pool bottom and sides. (at 24hr. point)
7) Backwash pump (at 24hr. point)
8) Added 96oz. of 6% Aldi Bleach because the pool calculator said so using above (48hrs) numbers.
9) Added 18oz. (volume) of HTH pH UP (Sodium Carbonate)
10) Went to Wally World and bought Borax. DID NOT add any, awaiting numbers post Sodium Carbonate.
Now, after 24hrs. it looked like the Pink Algae turned white while I was manually scrubbing and vacuuming. After 48hrs. there are very little "floaties" in the pool, the "cotton candy" looking Pink Algae, which from reading here I realize is actually bacteria. So I am HOPING that my problem is resolving, and it looks like is going in that direction, now that I am keeping on top of the FC number and adding chlorine in relation to CYA. I do realize that because of my high CYA level, and obvious bacteria load (hopefully reduced) that I will be using plenty of chlorine in the short term. But with such a short rest of the season here in the Northeast, I was planning on shopping at Aldi's a lot and letting the CYA dilute naturally. I read a great deal before I post, so please don't flame, now here are my ???
1) With rain, backwashing, and water adds, the CYA should dilute down, right? I really would like to avoid a water exchange if I could.
2) I feel I should be prepared with enough chlorine to fight high CYA (Aldi's is just around the corner), but I wonder in the next few weeks just how much? I guess there are plenty of variables ... most being environmental, that there probably isn't even an answer to this.
3) At pool closing, what should I do if my CYA is still above 40? Do I use twice the shock at closing? With the sun the pool gets I figured a CYA of 40 should suffice during summer, please let me know if you think different as I can see from reading that there are quite a few experts on this forum.
4) Is there a chart that that guides as for how long after you add a chemical, that you can test for that chemical and get accurate results? ex. - 24hrs. after adding Borax or Sodium Carbonate?
5) Away from my pool chemistry, What is a "Safe for Me" FC or TC level for getting in the pool? As I mentioned, I was swimming in a FC and TC bath for a short time (30 mins.) and proceeded to take an immediate shower upon exit and a wash of the swim gear.
6) What is a "Safe for The Family" level of FC and TC? I'm willing to accept some danger, but nothing for my family, thank you.
Anyway, sorry for such a long first post, but I don't roll into a forum uninformed and asking non-pertinent, or already answered questions. I did go to Pool School, well at least most of it ... still getting to the last couple of subjects. This is a VERY informative forum and I WILL be recommending this to my fellow water-logged mateys. I wish I found this forum back in May 2007, our pool installation. Thank you for reading, and thanks in advance for any and all replies!!! AAARRRGGGHHHH!!
BTW - I think Test Strips should be banned from ALL 50 states and US Territories !! Write your Senator and Congressman today !! LOL !!!
I found out the hard way.
The Pirate Morgan