Advice on shocking a green pool & followup?

[mknauss]

Question about CC's; if getting a cc result of 0 from FASDPD test, does this mean no algae is present? Or could it test 0 now and then 4 hours later test higher?

CC - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Antlo]

CC - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

That link gave me flashbacks to organic chem and memorizing redox reactions. I'll never forget that LEO the lion says GER. (Loss of electron, oxidation, gain of electron, reduction). I'm going to get a magnetic stir plate and some beakers/vials to reinforce the nostalgia.

It answered my question nicely though, algae doesn't really impact CCs. Seems like the only way to chemically confirm algae presence is the overnight chlorine test.

 

[Antlo]

Morning! Quick question about algae (or dead algae): I've been brushing up brown spots here and there each day during the SLAM, and once they are brushed they become cloudy and just disperse into the water. I'm guessing this is either dead algae, or (hopefully not) growing algae? Does this indicate a persistent algae problem or am I just brushing up the dead stuff?

See photo below: dead algae (?)


FC tested at 19ppm this morning after ensuring it was 21ppm before going to bed, so I don't think algae growth would be possible at these FC levels, right? Just want to make sure I'm on the right track! I'm hoping while I'm at work today the deep end clears up (see photo) and we can stop slamming in the next day or two. We'll see!

deep end still a bit cloudy, can't quite see the floor drain yet!


Just stay the 20ppm slam course until completely clear, yes? So glad I found this forum!

 

[PoolStored]

Dead algae, you are doing everything right. From the look of your water, you are making progress.

If the dead algae bothers you, vacuum it to the filter. Move slowly.

 

[Newdude]

Just stay the 20ppm slam course until completely clear, yes?

You want to know the screws in the drains are Phillips. *that clear*.

Then pass an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test.

Then never even think about sniffing min FC per your CYA level. Don't even think about thinking about sniffing it. You'll be trouble free from then on.

With proper sanitation, and no rash additions such as adding gallons of Muriatic acid to tank your TA, we have all the time in the world to address anything else that arises as they're all long term concerns. They can all be a little out of range without harm in the short term.

 

[Antlo]

Dead algae, you are doing everything right. From the look of your water, you are making progress.

If the dead algae bothers you, vacuum it to the filter. Move slowly.

Great, dead algae bothers me much less than the alive stuff! Once the water is see-through I was planning to toss the Hayward Navigator in and let it suction-vac the floor clean!

 

[Antlo]

You want to know the screws in the drains are Phillips. *that clear*.

Then pass an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test.

Then never even think about sniffing min FC per your CYA level. Don't even think about thinking about sniffing it. You'll be trouble free from then on.

With proper sanitation, and no rash additions such as adding gallons of Muriatic acid to tank your TA, we have all the time in the world to address anything else that arises as they're all long term concerns. They can all be a little out of range without harm in the short term.

I'm looking forward to seeing those screws more and more as time passes, you have no idea! I've been stressing about this green pool for weeks now, finally seeing some progress is so relieving.


I'm never letting this happen again as long as I can help it FC will stay at the maximum from here on out!

 

[Newdude]

FC will stay at the maximum from here on out!

#teamrunhot cordially extends an invitation to the club. (Dues checks get made out to Newdude with a capital N). Mid target range is as low as you want to go, and dose your recent daily loss above that daily to land in the green after said loss.

When the universe throws curveballs such as a whopper storm, or a particularly high UV day, or the spouse calls to say they played hookey today and invited some friends over for an impromptu swim party......... you're covered.

 

[Antlo]

#teamrunhot cordially extends an invitation to the club. (Dues checks get made out to Newdude with a capital N). Mid target range is as low as you want to go, and dose your recent daily loss above that daily to land in the green after said loss.

When the universe throws curveballs such as a whopper storm, or a particularly high UV day, or the spouse calls to say they played hookey today and invited some friends over for an impromptu swim party......... you're covered.

Sold! I'm definitely going to be keeping it (safely) at the highest level possible. Tested FC 6 times yesterday, shocked me how much could get used up by the sun over 4-5 hours, especially during extreme UV/no clouds. Being the only one in the household doing any testing or chemical additions, I imagine I will be out there dumping liquid in pretty frequently

I know things like SWGs exist (I rent this home so unless the landlord wants to buy one, not an option sadly), but without that, will I find myself adding liquid chlorine 3-4 times per day to maintain? I'm doing that now for slam levels, just curious if it will persist. I'm hoping I'll be able to get by with adding some before & after work each day, but we will see! Proper testing will be performed of course, I'm guessing it will vary between pools, just wondering if the liquid chlorine users have any wisdom to share

 

[Newdude]

will I find myself adding liquid chlorine 3-4 times per day to maintain?

No. The loss is higher at slam levels. We'll adjust the CYA afterwards to find the sweet spot for protection and you'll lose the normal 2 to 4 ppm daily (time of season depending). You'll then use that recent loss as your guide to stay free and clear above minimum at the low FC point in the day, for tomorrow.

 

[Newdude]

*this is where folks get hoodwinked. They dose to mid target because that's OK, but fail to realize the recent July loss of 4ppm per day puts them playing kissey face with min when they started at 5 or 6.

Min
+ recent daily loss
+ 1 or 2 ppm insurance FC
-------------------------
= stoopid clear trouble free pool.

A 2ppm buffer may be a week long supply in April but only a 3 hour supply in August at lunch time. The chart and/or poolmath don't know the season or your climate. It's up to you to apply your skills.

 

[Antlo]

*this is where folks get hoodwinked. They dose to mid target because that's OK, but fail to realize the recent July loss of 4ppm per day puts them playing kissey face with min when they started at 5 or 6.

Min
+ recent daily loss
+ 1 or 2 ppm insurance FC
-------------------------
= stoopid clear trouble free pool.

A 2ppm buffer may be a week long supply in April but only a 3 hour supply in August at lunch time. The chart and/or poolmath don't know the season or your climate. It's up to you to apply your skills.

Makes sense. Will be a bit of a learning process but I'll figure it out! Recommended for 50cya is 4-8, definitely planning to stay around 8+ once all is said and done. I'd much rather use a little bit more chlorine each day than have to go through 20+gal on a SLAM

 

[Newdude]

I'd much rather use a little bit more chlorine each day than have to go through 20+gal on a SLAM

Technically more FC burns off at higher levels for the same CYA level, but near target range it's not really noticeable. In the 20s, such as a SWG slam, it becomes really noticeable and why we avoid higher CYA levels when possible. LC folks would benefit from SWG CYA levels, but be burned if they needed to slam. So we find a happy medium, say a 40 or maybe even a 50 CYA for LC in the mid Atlantic region if the daily FC loss exceeds normal daily loss.

We road test it at each addition of 10 and stop as soon as the daily loss is reasonable. We'll get there. Baby steps.

 

[Antlo]

Technically more FC burns off at higher levels for the same CYA level, but near target range it's not really noticeable. In the 20s, such as a SWG slam, it becomes really noticeable and why we avoid higher CYA levels when possible. LC folks would benefit from SWG CYA levels, but be burned if they needed to slam. So we find a happy medium, say a 40 or maybe even a 50 CYA for LC in the mid Atlantic region if the daily FC loss exceeds normal daily loss.

We road test it at each addition of 10 and stop as soon as the daily loss is reasonable. We'll get there. Baby steps.

Makes sense. When I first started this process, Leslie's had me add a gallon of their liquid stabilizer. Was chunky but I washed the bottle out a few times and added it through the skimmer (I know from reading now this is not recommended!) But I think that's where my 50CYA is coming from, plus the dichlor I shocked with Friday I suppose. Hopefully I don't need anymore CYA and I'm at the perfect spot!

Checking on the pool this morning and I can officially see the deep end's floor! Hard to make out in this photo, but you can spot the white floor drain & the brush I lost in the deep end a few weeks ago pole broke haha. FC tested at 17.5, I made sure to bump it to SLAM level before I went to bed, but it's had several hours of sunlight so not really indicative of anything.

Judging from other's photos on here, I think I can get it a bit clearer. I'm going to continue the SLAM throughout today and perform the OCLT tonight. Would you say that's a good idea? Definitely will be jumping in today, I must admit I have yet to swim in the pool since opening in late-April, I've been waiting for perfection. Almost there!

 

[Newdude]

Judging from other's photos on here, I think I can get it a bit clearer.

Goodness yes. You'll be checking the Phillips screws in the drains, from the patio, to ensure pranksters didn't swap them out for flat heads overnight.

There will be times you glance out back and think the pool drained, then race over there just to walk back slowly while giggling that it was just *that* clear.

 

[Antlo]

Goodness yes. You'll be checking the Phillips screws in the drains, from the patio, to ensure pranksters didn't swap them out for flat heads overnight.

There will be times you glance out back and think the pool drained, then race over there just to walk back slowly while giggling that it was just *that* clear.

Great, I'm definitely shooting for that screw-visibility clearness level. Been doing the SLAM since Friday, but I didn't have my proper test kit until Monday, so I didn't actually have my FC as high as necessary. Probably slowed down the process a bit but I'm happy with almost crystal clear in 3 days of proper slam. I'll take this over driving 30 mins to the local pool store anyday

 

[Antlo]

Just got stung by my third yellowjacket in the past 3 days. Went out to investigate and found their nest in the ground right next to the entrance to our pool area.

Safe to say I am traumatized and too scared to get in the pool now. Send rescue

Edit: Thankful for responsive landlord, yellowjacket nest was promptly dealt with by pest control. Glad I didn't have to get a can of raid and pray Just took my first measurement for the overnight chlorine loss test around 8:40pm (21ppm FC, brought it back up to slam level one last time) Planning to take the second one around 6:30-7am, hopefully that isn't too late in the morning. Fingers crossed for passing!

 

[Antlo]

Good morning! Got an early start so I could finish the first OCLT.

8:36pm last night
FC = 20.5 ppm
CC = 0 ppm

6:30am this morning:
FC = 20ppm
CC = 0.5 (had multiple swims yesterday, makes sense)

I believe this is passing?! Pool looks great, can see to the bottom even without any sun on the pool (couldn't do that before!)


Heading into work now, if this were your pool, what would your next steps be? I've been slamming since last Friday so we just hit the 7 day mark, green to clean in one week isn't too shabby. Do I end the SLAM here, and run a full set of tests (pH, CH, CYA, TA, etc)? Please advise! Thank you all for your help. I wish you many trouble free pool seasons!

 

[Newdude]

I believe this is passing?!

It passes the OCLT and the .5CC requirement for end of slam. 1 left.

can see to the bottom even without any sun on the pool

There is water movement and a reflection in the pic. Is it clear - clear ? Like stoopid clear ?

No poofing when brushing ?

No growth in the corners or nooks/crannies ?

If so then you've earned your wings and you can let the FC drift down. Ph has to wait for the FC to be under 10, but post the rest of the #s up.

 

[Antlo]

It passes the OCLT and the .5CC requirement for end of slam. 1 left.

There is water movement and a reflection in the pic. Is it clear - clear ? Like stoopid clear ?

No poofing when brushing ?

No growth in the corners or nooks/crannies ?

If so then you've earned your wings and you can let the FC drift down. Ph has to wait for the FC to be under 10, but post the rest of the #s up.

Good point, I'll go turn the pump off and snap a pic to see if it looks better. I did brush some dead algae yesterday, but i'll admit to being lazy I've just been brushing it and hoping the skimmer gets it eventually, I could vacuum it directly if anymore settles.

Thank you so much for your help on this thread!!

I'll run a fresh set of tests when I get home from work this afternoon. Very curious about my true pH, as I tested during the slam before knowing it wasn't accurate and added a little pH down I know better now!!