You can test in about 15 mins if you make sure the pump is running. Brush the area you add it to help mix it in even better.
Kim
Kim
All levels normal, pool still dark green
- Thread starter msdunkel
- Start date
Puzzling results this morning. Pool is still jade green but the FC level is now up to 38.5 from a level of 34 an hour after shocking. Because my CH was down to 125 and I had some Cal-Hypo shock left over from our previous pool antics, I opted to use the remainder of that granulated Cal-Hypo in addition to the recommended level of bleach. My guess is my FC keeps going up because all the shock hadn't dissolved within an hour of my original shock. Either that or I have a magic pool that generates its own chlorine 
.
Regardless, I'll measure again at the end of the day and report back. The pool looks like a great big vat of commercial grade Gatorade or nuclear waste. Any rough time estimate before that algae starts dying? Also, I've been adding DE to my Heyward sand filter as described in the pool school pages. How often should I backwash that DE? I noted that as soon as I backwash, the pressure out of my sand filter returns to 20 PSI immediately which leads me to believe that any backwash empties all the DE.
.Regardless, I'll measure again at the end of the day and report back. The pool looks like a great big vat of commercial grade Gatorade or nuclear waste. Any rough time estimate before that algae starts dying? Also, I've been adding DE to my Heyward sand filter as described in the pool school pages. How often should I backwash that DE? I noted that as soon as I backwash, the pressure out of my sand filter returns to 20 PSI immediately which leads me to believe that any backwash empties all the DE.
A few pictures might help illuminate the situation.
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CLEAR green and CLOUDY green are often two different things.
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CLEAR green and CLOUDY green are often two different things.
Don't worry about the variation in FC testing, it happens. Small variations in the amount of water in the 10mL water sample can throw the reading off a little here and there, and the pool is not going to be uniform because you're not swimming in it. Anyway, it's nothing to worry about.
The number of days this takes is variable really depending on how much algae is in there to begin with and how frequent you check and re-increase the FC, just keep it up!
The number of days this takes is variable really depending on how much algae is in there to begin with and how frequent you check and re-increase the FC, just keep it up!
Cloudy! The water is 3' deep at the foot of the steps and you can't see the bottom.
View attachment 67645
How often are you testing and adding these days? Keeping the filter on 24/7? Brushing the sides and bottom at least once a day?
The pool has only been full for a day. Brushing daily, filter running 24/7, testing 2x a day since I've got WAY more FC than the 28 required for my 70 CYA.
Evening FC reading was 29, hopefully that means the chlorine is doing its job. The wife and kids think the green isn't as dark as before, I'll reserve judgement until tomorrow . My son got a flying lesson today and I tagged along in the back. We were able to find my house from the air by looking for the greenest pool in the state!
. My son got a flying lesson today and I tagged along in the back. We were able to find my house from the air by looking for the greenest pool in the state!
- May 3, 2014
- 62,702
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Sounds good!
It is a suggestion to take a picture at the same spot each day, like straight down at the steps. It gives you reference as you progress through the SLAM
It is a suggestion to take a picture at the same spot each day, like straight down at the steps. It gives you reference as you progress through the SLAM
This morning's readings:
FC: 28
CC: 0
pH: 7.5
The color looks a tad bit darker but a little less cloudy. I think I brushed the pool in the previous picture, this picture is pre-brushing. I know the chlorine is doing something, skimmed 2 dead toads out of the pool this morning. The algae appears to be using the chlorine as food.
View attachment 67686
FC: 28
CC: 0
pH: 7.5
The color looks a tad bit darker but a little less cloudy. I think I brushed the pool in the previous picture, this picture is pre-brushing. I know the chlorine is doing something, skimmed 2 dead toads out of the pool this morning. The algae appears to be using the chlorine as food.
View attachment 67686
Awwwwwww but look close at the two pics. There is a change in the "tint" of the color. You ARE making progress in the right direction! Keep it up!!!
Kim
Kim
You can definitely see better outline of the steps in the pool on the second picture. Looks like it is improving.
Quick update, pool water is blue but still very cloudy. Maybe 3' of visibility right now.
How's your filter pressure? Is it getting close to time to backwash-20-25% over baseline pressure?
Otherwise keep at it....
Maddie
Otherwise keep at it....
Maddie
We are backwashing for 1-2 minutes every day. Pressure is a constant 20 PSI under normal circumstances. I have been adding DE to my skimmers which brings the pressure up to the 21-25 range, the pressure returns to 20 immediately after I backwash.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,702
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
A slightly dirty sand filter works better than a clean one. That is why you add DE, to make it dirty. So do not backwash until you see a 20-25% increase in your filter pressure.
Take care.
Take care.
The pool has been in shock for 8 days now, still getting FC drops overnight and still have to brush a few patches of algae in the morning. I can see that my pool has a bottom drain but it isn't clear yet. Per the CYA tables I should have the pool at a FC of 28, we've been keeping it around 30. Is the 8th consecutive day at shock level normal or do I need to elevate to get this job finished?