Algae help

[kewpie]

Hi,
I just recently realized the stuff at the bottom of the pool is algae...I thought it was dirt or sand from install that my robot was not able to pick up. Mainly near the areas where the bottom liner is not flat...greenish brown color like dust....so I have used the manual vacuum to clean them out twice and it keeps coming back. What should I do? Is it safe for the kids to still swim in it?

Below are my results from my test today. Salinity is low and will add a bag of salt later when husband is free (the red light just recently came up on the swg) so it’s a new problem for today...which prob explains my low FC.

FC= 3.5
CC=0.5
Calcium hardness = 25
Total alkalinity = 40
CYA=50

So I plan to add a bag of salt and I think I need to get CYA to 70? What else do I need to do for the chemicals and algae?

Thank you so much!!

 

[Texas Splash]

If you have algae, don't increase the CYA yet. Follow the SLAM Process first. With a CYA of 50, increase your FC to "20" and follow that SLAM page. NOTE: Make sure to lower the pH to about 7.2 is not there already before increasing teh FC. Maintain that FC level until you pass all 3 criteria on that page. Once you complete the SLAM, then you can increase your CYA to 70 and balance according to the FC/CYA Levels. Good luck!

 

[Casey]

Definitely need to SLAM the pool. The algae needs killed. You'll never be able to vacuum it out of the pool.

 

[kewpie]

Thank you! Working on SLAM now. Can I use the low speed of my 2 speed pump for this? Also, can I use robot vacuum or must I use manual? Lastly, when I use manual vacuum, I’ve been leaving on filter mode then backwash, is that ok or must I use the WASTE mode?

One more thing...we’ve been using the pool because I didn’t realize the stuff is algae...is that harmful??

Thx!!

 

[Casey]

You can use the pool during a SLAM.

 

[mknauss]

And you can use the robot.

Run pump on low speed. 24/7.

 

[kewpie]

Thank you! Will follow all that!

 

[kewpie]

Hi, so I failed to remove the algae...followed the SLAM process (though not super religious) but did get tons of chlorine in water...thought got rid of algae but they are back. I was talking to a pool person about closing my pool and he suggested phosphates remover...then I googled and read that I don’t need that and should get the hypochlorite shock...I think my algae is the yellow algae. What should I be doing? Thanks!

 

[wireform]

If you haven't followed religiously, then there's your problem. No need to look any further. The slam process is a pretty intense process and there's no half Rear about it. You HAVE TO keep your FC at slam level without it dropping to low in between otherwise it's not going to burn off the alage. Pump needs 24/7 and brushing the pool in every nook and cranny is a must once if not twice a day till your slam is called done which includes the three criterias on the slam page. By the way the pool people have their way with pools but here the TFP community works on different principles which have been proven time and again. All contributors here have been through this at least once so we're speaking from experience. We can only help those that want to help themselves. Let us know what else we can help you with.

 

[duraleigh]

I was talking to a pool person about closing my pool and he suggested phosphates remover.

That pool person has a complete misunderstanding of phosphate remover. Phosphate remover does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to kill algae....period.

Phosphate remover is used by some as a preventative but that is not particularly helpful, either. Chlorine will fix your pool.

 

[kewpie]

If you haven't followed religiously, then there's your problem. No need to look any further. The slam process is a pretty intense process and there's no half Rear about it. You HAVE TO keep your FC at slam level without it dropping to low in between otherwise it's not going to burn off the alage. Pump needs 24/7 and brushing the pool in every nook and cranny is a must once if not twice a day till your slam is called done which includes the three criterias on the slam page. By the way the pool people have their way with pools but here the TFP community works on different principles which have been proven time and again. All contributors here have been through this at least once so we're speaking from experience. We can only help those that want to help themselves. Let us know what else we can help you with.

Thank you! I will redo SLAM next week when I can commit the time to check frequently and brush. I am planning to use robot to vacuum daily, hope that is ok. Thanks! Will update results...

 

[duraleigh]

I am planning to use robot to vacuum daily,

That works. I would suggest you brush the sidewalls manually.....it's quick and more thorough than the robot.....every other day should be fine.