Algae keeps coming back

[JoeSelf]

Yes, to bring back to slam level. Each time.

 

[rowiac]

Test for FC each time before you add chlorine and then add the amount that PoolMath tells you to get to your SLAM FC level (SLAM FC=12 if your CYA=30). It will seem like you are adding a whole lot of chlorine, but keep at it. It's likely to take several days, but the amount of chlorine use will go down as you progress through the SLAM.

 

[jandersen13]

Is it ok to swim in during SLAM process?

 

[mknauss]

You can safely swim in a pool as long as the FC is above the minimum and at or below SLAM level based on your CYA. You must also be able to see the bottom of the pool in the deep end of the pool.

 

[jandersen13]

Ok so I raised the FC to 16ppm last night. This morning it was at 11ppm. Added more and around 1pm my wife checked and it was about 8ppm. She added more. I checked at 5:30pm and it was 8ppm. I added more chlorine.

My question here is that there is still algae growing on the bottom. I brush and there’s a small amount in the deep end floors. Am I doing this right? Still a slight tint of green.

 

[mknauss]

Keep brushing it up. You need to disturb the biofilm on the algae to get the chlorine to it to kill it. Stay at it.

 

[jandersen13]

Dolphin auto pool vacuum ok for that?

 

[mknauss]

Sure. Check its filters as they will get plugged up with algae.

 

[jandersen13]

Great thanks!

 

[jandersen13]

I decided to take the ladder out in the deep end tonight just in case it had algae that I didn’t kill. Could this be the culprit?

 

[IceShadow]

That sure doesn't look like it's helping! I'd get an old toothbrush and some diluted bleach and go to town on it.

EDIT: Or a power washer followed by a rinse with diluted bleach

 

[jandersen13]

Thanks! Will do. I’ve kept it out until I get it washed properly.

Just a check in. FC lost 2-3ppm last night. Held at 8ppm from this morning until noon today. I just added more. Still a small amount of algae as I brush the deep end.

My question is, will I still see that light algae for a few days? Just want to know what to expect. I thought that would be gone by now. Pool looks great other than that.

 

[duraleigh]

I am just now skimming this thread and, unless I overlooked it, you need to add 4 more lbs of CYA (stabilizer). That will get you to 30 ppm which is where you should be for the SLAM. You really didn't add enough to do a valid test.

 

[jandersen13]

I did add some more. My last CYA test showed levels between 40-50

 

[IceShadow]

I did add some more. My last CYA test showed levels between 40-50

Figure 50 then - we round up to the nearest 10

 

[jandersen13]

I’ve been maintaining the chlorine pretty well the past few days. The water looks pretty clear and good. I’ve been brushing and running the robot vacuum. But I still see a small line of algae in a few spots and then when I brush the bottom it kicks up a small amount of what I think is algae as well. What am I doing wrong here? Or will this last for days?

 

[duraleigh]

It will last until you have eradicated all the algae in your pool and you have brushed it up into the water so your filter can pick it up. Continue the SLAM.

 

[jandersen13]

Still continuing here. My main drain does not work so I just work from 2 skimmers. Do you think this will take a bit longer to get the dead algae out because of that? Also would dead algae not clump but just remain on the bottom when I brush it and look like dust as I brush? Or is that active algae. Trying to understand if I have active algae or just dead algae I need to get out.

 

[mknauss]

Main drain does not help much. Vacuum up the dead algae. What you are seeing is dead algae.

 

[jandersen13]

Ok thanks. And if the pool robot vacuum doesn’t seem to be doing it, switch to manual vacuum to waste or normal?