Algae - What happened?

[Randrx2]

Need a little help here trying to figure out what I did wrong. Please see logs under my profile.

I did a SLAM about 2 weeks ago and everything looked okay and steady. SWG was maintaining just fine. Then we had a heavy swim load (like 9 people in the pool). So I cranked up the SWG to 100% after everyone was out. FC level started to rise, so I dialed back down. I then noticed a big drop in FC, so I added bleach and raised SWG percentage again. Had to keep adding bleach to keep FC at 9. I also cranked the SWG to 100%. However, I am not noticing an expected increase in the FC. I would have expected 1-2 PPM today rise at least after adding chlorine and having SWG at 100%. Also, when I came home, I had some whitish blue stuff in my bowls (see pics). I think it is algae. It gathered in corners and when I touched it, it spread out in flakes. It also feels slimy.

I am wondering if I do not have enough circulation in the bowls. I am turning them off and emptying them for a few days to see if it helps with FC. Also, I am going to see how much it reduces my evaporation rate.

Water is clear now, but not that crystal clear I am used to. Easy to see a slight cloudiness at night when you look at the lights.

1. Are the flakes algae?
2. What should I have done different? I am thinking it had something to do with the extra people in pool. I think I should have done a preemptive strike on the pool by having the SWG running at 100% while people were swimming.
3. Are the bowls getting enough circulation? They are running enough to cause spill over in the bowls.
4. Pretty sure I will be starting a SLAM once I go get some chlorine tonight.

Thank you.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Unless your pump was running 24 hours a day, having it set to 100% is only going to mean its running only as long as the pump was on.

Personally if I have a heavy bather load and need an instant rise in FC, I prefer to use liquid chlorine for its immediate action. I like that I can test for it quickly to reassure myself I met whatever goal I sought, and it lessens the wear and tear on the cell so it might last longer.

Maddie

 

[Randrx2]

Understood. Normally I run the SWG for 18 hours at 40%. This is 3.5 ppm a day per PoolMath. I thought the 100% would give me a boost since at 100% for 18 hours it is 8.7 ppm a day.

 

[Randrx2]

Update.

So I have been SLAMing for about 5 days. Cannot pass the OCLT. Losing about 2-3 ppm overnight from 31 to about 28-29. Ran out of chlorine this morning, so I turned on the SWG to help maintain the level until I could buy some more. FC was up around 35 tonight, but I noticed the whitish flakes in the bowls again. They had not been there since 5 days ago when I started. Now I am thinking this is some sort of calcium flakes caused by the SWG. I cleaned the cell. There was no visible buildup and no bubbling when I poured in the water/muriatic acid mixture (4:1). My CH was higher at 500 when I started the SLAM process. I am beginning to wonder if I need to do a water exchange to bring it down. I have to wait until the FC level drops to get a good CH reading.

Anybody have any input? Am I on the right track? Thanks.

 

[zea3]

FC levels do not interfere with the CH test. Go ahead and run the test.

 

[mknauss]

TA and pH are big factors on your SWCG shedding calcium scale.

May have to live with it until you finish SLAM. Best to find more liquid chlorine when possible.

 

[Randrx2]

T

TA and pH are big factors on your SWCG shedding calcium scale.

May have to live with it until you finish SLAM. Best to find more liquid chlorine when possible.

OK, that makes sense. Thanks.

I think TA is high based on last test numbers. I tried testing TA during the SLAM and was shocked it turned yellow. Then I remembered the high FC level messes with the test.

I have been adding muriatic acid every couple days based on history of adding acid to pool. I have 2 bowls going causing the aeration and pH rise.

Crossing fingers for a good test tonight!