Algae in common return pipe

[jdlangley1]

My common return stays closed; however, seems like since I shut off common return, what appears to be algae is growing.

Puzzled how it would have gotten in there and if I should treat it?

Open common return to allow flow and perform a slam treatment?

 

[setsailsoon]

Jd,

Sorry to hear of your problem. Can you please post a complete set of test results? This will help us to analyze your problem. I suspect your zero flow is aggravating the situation but could also be your water chemistry. Are you using TFP methodology and recommended testing? And yes, it looks like you need a SLAM but we need test results first.

Chris

 

[jdlangley1]

Hi Chris-I am using TFP and recommended testing. I also believe the zero flow may be my issue and eventually the algae will make its way out of the common return and to the hot tub.

I’ll open common return and conduct a slam.

PH 7.8
FC 5
CC 0.5
TA 90
CH 290
CYA 40
Temp 87

 

[setsailsoon]

Jd,

Yep, your numbers look pretty good. I had a similar problem with the bubbler line for my spa. It would sit stagnate until I use it. One evening I turned it on and strong chloramine odor! So now I run the bubbler pump ever few days for a few minutes and no chloramine odor. Algae can form little colonies in low flow areas with dead cells on the outside so the cells inside are in waiting. In a low flow area the FC gets consumed and the algae just start to take over.

Bottom line... SLAM away! And good luck.
Chris

 

[Jimrahbe]

jd,

I have no clue what a common return is...

Can you post another pic showing how it ties into the overall plumbing???

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jdlangley1]

Jim piece I am speaking of is red valve. When open, it causes water to constantly flow to hot tub causing water to spill over non stop.

Turned it off and use the spillover feature instead.

 

[jdlangley1]

Performing slam process now. Opened valve to all check valve to have water flow through it. Caught as much algae as I could in my net.

Added muratic acid to lower PH to 7.2ppm.

Once PH is in necessary range, I will add chlorine to get me to slam level.

 

[jdlangley1]

Got the check valve guts switched out today with a valve Diverter and hooked up automated actuator.

This should eliminate algae in the pipe since water is no longer stagnate.

Will start using this to chlorinate spa rather than spill over mode with hopes that a small trickle down water fall will reduce PH rise vs how fast it was rising in spillover mode.