Algae?

[waterbugs57]

Hi all,
looking for some input. My pool looked all pretty and sparkling so far this season. I was away for 2 days and todays test gave me FC .5 cc 0-.5 CYA 20. I have had to drain a couple of times due to rainfall so I understand why the CYA is 20 but my water looks a little cloudy and there is a substance on the bottom only. I want to think it is pollen because I see it everyday floating until the skimmer gets it and I have a lot of wrinkled and divots, imperfections in the liner and that is where the substance is. I don't know if I have the beginnings of a bloom or not. I don't really have the experience to judge. Can I rely on the test @ for CC? I have posted a pic or two....I did add chlorine and brought my level to 5.5 and added a couple of lbs of stabilizer...

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pictures will not upload...

 

[jblizzle]

To raise your picture storage allotment, you either need to Become a TFP Supporter or follow the How To Post Pictures tutorial.

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Your FC level dropped too low. I would raise the FC up to SLAM level and Perform the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to see if something is growing.

 

[waterbugs57]

I have my CYA at approx. 27 FC 12 cc 0 will test again before daybreak.Thanks jblizzle.

 

[waterbugs57]

http://s1375.photobucket.com/user/melindalthomas/slideshow/

 

[BoDarville]

When I click on that link, it says that your library is private. Therefore, the pics do not appear.

 

[waterbugs57]

Bo, fixed that privacy setting. My FC reading at this early hour reads no chlorine loss, it is still 12. Not sure which direction to move(except back to bed). I will vacuum and brush and assess water quality in the daylight. I will keep my chlorine at shock level in the mean time until I can figure out what is going on. Thanks for any input.-Melinda

 

[Abigail K]

What CYA level were you aiming for when you added? 30ppm?
If yes, with a 7hr interval between testing, it seems like you're passing OCLT - someone will chime in if I'm wrong.

 

[waterbugs57]

Abigail, I was aiming for 30...used all the stabilizer I had on hand and fell alittle short. I intend to pick up some today and raise it a little more. It looked like it was at more than halfway between 20 and 30 on the cylinder. Thanks.

 

[waterbugs57]

Good afternoon, so I learned a that the issue I am having is almost certainly algae simply by the increase overnight and the green clouds that I could see when brushing. What I don't understand is why I had no loss in FC overnight and my CCs stay at 0. I have my FC at 17 ( a little overkill for the 27 CYA) and am adding some stabilizer as per calculator. I am going to test every hour through out the day and ON chlorine loss test in the am. I am on my last couple days of vacation from work. Just don't understand why the tests were not definitive. Should I consider that with the visual in the pics and the .5 FC reading that algae would indeed be present?
Thanks for the help and patience. I am learning...

 

[jblizzle]

Most of the algae may be dead and it does not always result in CC. There is a reason there are 3 criteria to stop the process.

 

[waterbugs57]

Hello all. I thought I would follow up on this post, if it helps someone else. The problem I saw in my pool was algae due to low chlorine levels. I learned that the algae doesn't care what is going on in your life, it is waiting for an opportunity and will take it. Thank goodness for TFP. I followed the steps for SLAMing and maintained the chlorine levels, brushed the pool a few times, performed the overnight loss tests and ran the filter non-stop for 5 days. It was probably a little overkill to keep the FC at 12 as long as I did...but I needed to be sure it was gone. I have changed the minimum FC level in my pool-closer to 4 and 5 instead od the lower end of the range. Is there any reason why I should not? I need a little cushion....just in case. Thank you for your guidance...- Melinda

 

[RobbieH]

You have the right idea. You want to make sure the FC does not ever fall below the recommended level. You will want to shoot a little high to ensure this is the case.