Algae blooms & pool testing

[quincy915]

Not sure how to treat this green streek that has come about at the bottom of my pool. My water is perfect except for my chlorine is a bit high.

Leslie Pools is having me Shock it. I’ve brushed with a metal brush and it doesn’t make a difference.

Not sure if you can see it in the picture or not.

Thoughts?

I've been battling above .5 CC and on/off algae blooms for at least 2 months now. November and December Texas months really confusing to me for algae blooms. I have NEVER had to SLAM my pool. Safe to say I'm not feeling up to the task...12/18 my cc was 1.13! I don't know how I'm going to lower my pH when my TA is always low (this has been a battle with the pool since following TFP). Rarely used the pool this summer. Neighbors leaves, yes. No backwash for over year, because pressure has not changed.
Last testing 12/18: FC 2.22 TC 3.35 pH 7.6 TA 51 CH 199 (never had low CH before either!) CYA 49 PHO 694
Is cooler water temps affecting test results? I notice when using pool math if I lower the temp, CSI changes.

Yesterday I brushed, 2 pints 10% pool essentials, and had to add water. Was going to re-test this afternoon. Green "blooms" not visible, but cloudy for sure.
So, I never meant to let my CYA get this high approaching winter months. I was forced to use pucks while on a vacation early November.
Should I bring that CH up to 250 or 350? It looks like my chlorine will need to be higher until that CYA goes down, huh?
Also, any advice to that pH/TA balance issue problem I have? pH wants to be at 7.9-8.0. When I lower it, TA dips below 50. Very frustrating.
Any advice would be much appreciated. Paula

 

[quincy915]

I've been battling above .5 CC and on/off algae blooms for at least 2 months now. November and December Texas months really confusing to me for algae blooms. I have NEVER had to SLAM my pool. Safe to say I'm not feeling up to the task...12/18 my cc was 1.13! I don't know how I'm going to lower my pH when my TA is always low (this has been a battle with the pool since following TFP). Rarely used the pool this summer. Neighbors leaves, yes. No backwash for over year, because pressure has not changed.
Last testing 12/18: FC 2.22 TC 3.35 pH 7.6 TA 51 CH 199 (never had low CH before either!) CYA 49 PHO 694
Is cooler water temps affecting test results? I notice when using pool math if I lower the temp, CSI changes.

Yesterday I brushed, 2 pints 10% pool essentials, and had to add water. Was going to re-test this afternoon. Green "blooms" not visible, but cloudy for sure.
So, I never meant to let my CYA get this high approaching winter months. I was forced to use pucks while on a vacation early November.
Should I bring that CH up to 250 or 350? It looks like my chlorine will need to be higher until that CYA goes down, huh?
Also, any advice to that pH/TA balance issue problem I have? pH wants to be at 7.9-8.0. When I lower it, TA dips below 50. Very frustrating.
Any advice would be much appreciated. Paula

 

[dereksanders]

Who is performing your water testing?

 

[quincy915]

Who is performing your water testing?

Those numbers were from Leslie's. I test FC, pH, TA myself 1-2x per week. So those numbers are usually pretty close.

 

[Bperry]

Those numbers were from Leslie's. I test FC, pH, TA myself 1-2x per week. So those numbers are usually pretty close.

Post your own numbers from a recommended kit. We don’t trust Leslie’s.

If you have algae, it’s cause your FC is too low.

 

[pjt]

Those numbers were from Leslie's. I test FC, pH, TA myself 1-2x per week.

What specific test kit model do you use? Stay away from pool store testing.

 

[quincy915]

What specific test kit model do you use? Stay away from pool store testing.

I use the older smaller Pentair that tests FC, pH, TA. It's been easy to manage my pool without a lot of bathers. This fall/winter has been very different.

 

[quincy915]

I would have to buy a FAS-DPD to calculate CC. It's time for me to order more Pentair chemicals. Is there a kit that includes FAS-DPD that I could buy to replace my daily testing kit? I could replace my smaller kit model. And a recommendation for buying test chemicals the most economic way please.

 

[Bperry]

I would have to buy a FAS-DPD to calculate CC. It's time for me to order more Pentair chemicals. Is there a kit that includes FAS-DPD that I could buy to replace my daily testing kit? I could replace my smaller kit model. And a recommendation for buying test chemicals the most economic way please.

The TF-100 is the recommended kit. The other kit is likely why you have algae. It won’t test FC above 5 it isn’t all that accurate below 5.

 

[pjt]

I use the older smaller Pentair that tests FC, pH, TA.

As you've proven to yourself, you need a proper test kit.

I would have to buy a FAS-DPD to calculate CC.

Yes.

It's time for me to order more Pentair chemicals.

Switch to a TF-Pro or TF-100.

Is there a kit that includes FAS-DPD that I could buy to replace my daily testing kit? I could replace my smaller kit model. And a recommendation for buying test chemicals the most economic way please.

The TF-Pro is the better option since it includes a stirring device and nice case.

TF-Pro

tftestkits.net

How are you chlorinating?

 

[quincy915]

As you've proven to yourself, you need a proper test kit.


Yes.


Switch to a TF-Pro or TF-100.


The TF-Pro is the better option since it includes a stirring device and nice case.

TF-Pro

tftestkits.net

How are you chlorinating?

Liquid pool essentials 10%. In the summer months I can buy it only a month or so old. Not so much now.

 

[pjt]

Liquid pool essentials 10%. In the summer months I can buy it only a month or so old. Not so much now.

Great. You might want to consider adding a SWCG. FC demand over the winter is almost nothing.