SLAM- skimmer and return plastic turned orange

[patrickc01]

I've started to SLAM our pool I've currently reached FC 7, and noticed that the plastic skimmer and return port have changed from white to orange. When I rotated the return port and revealed plastic that had not been out in the open, it was white. Does anyone know what is happening and is this permanent?
The pool water itself is a hazy blue/green and a lot of white fluff had appeared on the walls overnight.
Thanks!

 

[PAGirl]

Could it be metal staining?

 

[Casey]

It could be metal staining. What is your fill source?

 

[ranger_ric]

Welcome to TFP!! Do you have some Test Results?? Pics?? It could be your fill source??? Need more info!

 

[patrickc01]

Our fill source is the hose attached to the house. I don't believe it is high in metals, but don't know for sure.
When we began SLAM 2 days ago:
FC 0.2
CC 0.2
pH 7.3
TA = 120
CH = 60
CYA = 34

At 8pm tonight FC 6
Added Chlorine (miscommunicated and added 150oz 8.25% instead of 90)
At 10:15 I checked, and FC was 16.

I read about taking a vitamin C tablet and pushing it against the plastic to see if it is metals. Might try that tomorrow.

 

[patrickc01]

Yall were right, it is metal staining. I took a multivitamin and set it on top of the plastic return outlet. The vitamin immediately started bubbling, and I could watch the orange color dissolve away. Pretty amazing , thanks!

 

[patrickc01]

Current picture of our 'Green Swamp'
Visibility ~24 inches

 

[Casey]

So lets clear the pool by SLAM'ing and once we get it clear, we can work on treating the metal staining. You ready to do this?

What test kit do you have?

 

[patrickc01]

Ive been ready to go swimming since June. Just realized it wasnt going to happen taking the pool store's advice.
I have the Taylor FAS-DPD K-2006. So far I have gone through ~7 gallons of Clorox!
Just tested, I think this is a good place to end the night, right?
FC 12.5
pH 7.4
CYA 32

 

[patrickc01]

This morning FC was at 8
To reach 13, the calculator says I should add 64oz Clorox. I was wondering though, would it be bad to add say 100oz since I apparently am not close at all to neutralizing everything in the pool?

 

[Abigail K]

I would advise you to check "effects of adding chemicals" at the bottom of PoolMath.
100oz of 8.25% would raise your FC by 7.8, bringing FC to ~16.

 

[patrickc01]

Right, but so far the FC might get to my target SLAM FC temporarily, but always goes down due to who-knows-what is in the pool.
So I wondered if I added more Clorox than the calculator calls for, if the FC drop 8 hours later would be less.

When we bought the house, the pool cover was about 5 inches underwater and it was a bird and squirrel sanctuary/watering hole. I wonder if they added so much whatever that it is using up all of the chlorine. Could they have added all of the metals in the water too?

 

[Task]

I think that by adding the extra bleach, you will most likely just be wasting it as the sun will eat most of it up.

 

[PAGirl]

That's why, especially in the beginning, you should check FC every hour or so. At 8 hours, you will like
Y fall below target, even if you you overdose.

 

[patrickc01]

Well, we've been adding chlorine to our pool for 2 weeks now. I work, so it is usually once in the morning and once or twice in the evening. So far we have added 23 jugs of 8.25% Clorox.
Over the nights, the FC will go from 13 to ~10.5 the next morning.
During the day it will go from 13 (after adding chlorine in the morning) to ~6-7 by 6pm.
Our CYA has held steady at ~34. On the plus side, you can see the bottom of the pool now, and with vacumming it looks better and better.

I was wondering how typical it is to use >20 just of chlorine while SLAMMING. Also, is the FC loss test meant to measure from ie 13-12ppm overnight, or 3-2ppm?
This summer has definitely been a learning experience. I've almost given up on swimming this summer, but would like to get everything down so that I can hit the ground running next year.

 

[Kiss4aFrog]

If you can see the bottom it's safe to go swimming in the higher chlorine water up to your CYA/SLAM level. You could dive in for a dip if you wanted to.

If I only used 20 jugs I'd be a VERY happy camper but I do have a lot more water to treat. I usually start out with four cases of 4X1gal jugs of 12% to start out with and then a few more trips as the SLAM continues.
Photos of owners being creative in keeping track of how much bleach they've used.

 

[patrickc01]

Thanks, but can I perform the FC loss test after adjusting the chlorine to 13 at night? Or is it best to test at lower levels?

 

[patrickc01]

Here is a pic of our pool this evening.
FC 5
CC <0.5
I'm going to see what is the drop is by tomorrow morning. Hope it goes well!

 

[Kiss4aFrog]

The OCLT is usually done at the SLAM level. I do not know if doing it at a lower level would work as an indicator.