Hi everyone! I’ve been lurking for a while and have a real head scratcher now. I could really use the forum’s help and would appreciate any insight.
At the start of the summer, my pool was green after being neglected all winter/spring. I followed the SLAM process, which I am all too familiar with. I’ve been SLAMing for what seems like forever and have gone through hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of liquid chlorine. I’ve been passing the OCL test with flying colors for days now but I can’t seem to fix a lingering problem with staining.
I’ve included some pictures of the staining from different angles and different days/times. It’s a bit hard to see from the pictures but it really looks like algae in person and I totally assumed it was algae for the past couple of weeks. However, as mentioned, I’ve maintained SLAM levels consistently for weeks, I’m passing the OCL tests without issue, have continually recorded 0 CC, and when I brush the stained areas, the stains do not lift. The stains are also not slimey to the touch or anything like that. The stained areas feel exactly the same as the unstained areas.
I’ve been able to confirm that the stains are organic by using chlorine pucks as you can see from one of the pics. The only thing I can think of is that the stained areas are calcium scaling that turned this color rather than white due to the algae that was present. Unfortunately, I missed the window to drain my pool as it is now far too hot in Vegas so I won’t be able to drain it safely until the fall/winter rolls around.
What would you all suggest now and once I’m able to drain? I’m thinking I just leave the staining alone for this pool season and then do an acid wash once I’m able to drain it. The pool was built in 2013 so it’s about 9 years old now and I’ve never done an acid wash.
At the start of the summer, my pool was green after being neglected all winter/spring. I followed the SLAM process, which I am all too familiar with. I’ve been SLAMing for what seems like forever and have gone through hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of liquid chlorine. I’ve been passing the OCL test with flying colors for days now but I can’t seem to fix a lingering problem with staining.
I’ve included some pictures of the staining from different angles and different days/times. It’s a bit hard to see from the pictures but it really looks like algae in person and I totally assumed it was algae for the past couple of weeks. However, as mentioned, I’ve maintained SLAM levels consistently for weeks, I’m passing the OCL tests without issue, have continually recorded 0 CC, and when I brush the stained areas, the stains do not lift. The stains are also not slimey to the touch or anything like that. The stained areas feel exactly the same as the unstained areas.
I’ve been able to confirm that the stains are organic by using chlorine pucks as you can see from one of the pics. The only thing I can think of is that the stained areas are calcium scaling that turned this color rather than white due to the algae that was present. Unfortunately, I missed the window to drain my pool as it is now far too hot in Vegas so I won’t be able to drain it safely until the fall/winter rolls around.
What would you all suggest now and once I’m able to drain? I’m thinking I just leave the staining alone for this pool season and then do an acid wash once I’m able to drain it. The pool was built in 2013 so it’s about 9 years old now and I’ve never done an acid wash.
t's very possible that is calcium-related discoloration by now since you have passed the OCLT. Obviously your CYA is too low, and if you are chlorinating manually, you really need the CYA at about 50 now. The Vegas Valley sun is much too intense for a low CYA this time of year.