Ready to start Slamming

[deviouslyvivid]

Long story short we bought a house that has an Intex Ultraframe pool. Looks to be in pretty good condition (no evident leaks) but there's is an algae problem. Previous owners said the water was thick with algae and they started the shock process but as you can see there's no chlorine anymore. The water is a cloudy green but when I took the water sample it was very clear with a hint of brown color.

We're just guessing that there's roughly 10,500 gallons in the pool as it was partially drained but it's been raining like crazy here for the last 3 or 4 weeks and the pool is almost full again. I've replaced the crappy cartridge filter with a 2650 sand filter. I have some DE but haven't added it yet. There is a SWG but it's not currently hooked up. What do y'all recommend to fix or do before I start the shock process? Thanks!!

TF-100 test kit readings are:
FC: 0
pH: 6.8
TA: 100
CYA: 60
Salt: 2000

 

[Patrick_B]

Welcome to TFP!

First, study the ABCs and SLAM procedure in pool school. Links are in my signature.

With bad Algae, I suggest a drain to lower Cya to 40 minimum, 30 being preferable.

Don't add DE yet nor worry about other parameters until drained, and done refilling to get the suggest Cya of 30-40.

If this was my pool, that's what I would do.

 

[JasonLion]

Adjust the PH up to somewhere between 7.0 and 7.4. Because the standard PH test reads anything lower than 6.8 as 6.8, your current PH could actually be much lower.

Other than that you are good to SLAM.

 

[deviouslyvivid]

Thanks for the advice! pH was definitely a concern of mine. Is the rationale for lowering CYA to 30 or 40 so as to not use so much chlorine? Or is there another reason?

 

[Divin Dave]

The CYA of 30 is not to use so much chlorine. The higher the CYA, the higher FC you need.....

 

[deviouslyvivid]

That's what I thought! Gonna start tackling this beast after I go Sam's and stock up on bleach.

 

[pooldv]

That's what I thought! Gonna start tackling this beast after I go Sam's and stock up on bleach.

Make sure to get plain old bleach. No scents, no easy pour, no nothing.

Ready, set, go! You're all set!

- - - Updated - - -

According to PoolMath your pool is 11,400 gallons.

 

[Patrick_B]

If you are 46" deep in this pool. figure the volume at 11,000 minimum. I like 11,400 better even though a touch high, but you don't want to under-dose. A little extra will only help you.

 

[deviouslyvivid]

Thanks! The pool manual says 90% capacity is 10,980. But it has rained so much in the last week that the pool is at maximum capacity right now. As in, if it rains any more then the water will be spilling out of the sides. I'm thinking I really need to drain it a bit.

 

[tim5055]

Thanks! The pool manual says 90% capacity is 10,980. But it has rained so much in the last week that the pool is at maximum capacity right now. As in, if it rains any more then the water will be spilling out of the sides. I'm thinking I really need to drain it a bit.

Draining is good, it takes CYA with it. I started with 200+ CYA and was willing to take all the rainwater I could get to help bring that down.

 

[deviouslyvivid]

Bad new, I'm just now starting this process. Good news, I've successfully survived and graduated Nursing school! Now I've got 3 weeks to completely dedicate time to the pool before I start my new job. Came home yesterday and found that my DH had drained all but 6 inches of the pool water. So much for all that bleach I bought. While the water level was low I scrubbed down the walls and got up all that could from the bottom. It's still a bit of a mess but not like it was.

The pool is now refilled, per the water meter we've got about 9126 gallons in it. I added a little less CYA than the Pool Calc suggested since I'm not 100% sure how reliable the water meter is.
These are my current readings:
FC: 0
pH: 7.2
TA: 40
CYA: 0


Should I wait until until my CYA starts to register and levels out before I start the process? I know it can take a better part of a week to get true CYA readings. Or do I treat based on what my daily CYA readings are?


Thanks for all your help. Y'all are awesome!

 

[Azgirl71]

Welcome to TFP! What CYA level did you shoot for when you added?
Your PH is a great level to SLAM.

 

[deviouslyvivid]

I was going for a CYA around 30

 

[Azgirl71]

I was going for a CYA around 30

Ok then just assume your CYA will rise to 30 through the week and use a shock level target of 12. It is important you test every couple hours in the beginning and add as needed. Lots of brushing the pool down too. Backwash as needed. I usually go according to my water flow from the return instead of relying on the guage.

 

[deviouslyvivid]

Fabulous! Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Azgirl71]

Your welcome

 

[deviouslyvivid]

My CC is .5 and my OCLT is less than 1. I can see the bottom of the pool now but the water is a slight cloudy white and has been for the last few days. Will adding DE to my filter help clear this up?

 

[Azgirl71]

Yes adding DE will help. Make sure you are home to watch the pressure. Don't let your levels drop from SLAM until pool is crystal clear. Congrats on passing 2 of the3 criteria.