Am I at risk of an algae problem from topsoil runoff - muddy pool

[Mdragger88]

24 hour update. Pool still very cloudy but can now see stairs and ledges. Stopped pump for next few hours to allow settle. Will clean filter shortly.

Last evening FC at 17.5 (CC at 0.5), this morning at 15.5 (CC at 0). Should I be concerned about drop in FC even though the SWG ran all night?

Keep the fc up - all the organic material is likely chewing through your fc.

From another somewhat related thread it was suggested to add MA to make the chlorine work better. Without an accurate pH/alk test, how do I know how much to add?

I’m not sure what you read but with cya in the water any normal ph (in the 7’s) is perfectly fine & doesn’t make a whole lot of difference to fc’s effectiveness.
In the slam article it is instructed to lower ph to 7.2 before beginning because slam can take time and makes testing ph invalid due to fc levels above 10ppm. So you want to adjust it beforehand so there’s no worries for a while.
If your ph was ok (somewhere in the 7’s) before you raised fc its likely fine now.
If the situation drags on (weeks) & you generally suffer with ph rise then you may want to allow fc to fall below 10ppm and test/adjust ph.

 

[Newdude]

suggested to add MA to make the chlorine work better.

CYA mostly mitigates any gains. Usually we see this nugget from newbs that haven't dug deep enough yet. Do you have a link?

 

[datadr93]

If the situation drags on (weeks)

Weeks? I'm supposed to host birthday party this weekend. I need days.

 

[datadr93]

CYA mostly mitigates any gains. Usually we see this nugget from newbs that haven't dug deep enough yet. Do you have a link?

I'll do search later and provide reference. In interim, maintaining status quo

 

[datadr93]

In the slam article it is instructed to lower ph to 7.2 before beginning because slam can take time and makes testing ph invalid due to fc levels above 10ppm. So you want to adjust it beforehand so there’s no worries for a while.
If your ph was ok (somewhere in the 7’s) before you raised fc its likely fine now.

It was 7.6 when did the partial slam. I did half suggested amount chlorine and rounded to even figure (full was 228oz... I added 96oz).

 

[Bperry]

It was 7.6 when did the partial slam. I did half suggested amount chlorine and rounded to even figure (full was 228oz... I added 96oz).

For reference, filters tend to perform better at lower pressure. Might try not running the pump and full speed.

 

[datadr93]

For reference, filters tend to perform better at lower pressure. Might try not running the pump and full speed.

Currently been running pump full speed to clear the muddy water faster. But if suggestion to run lower, I'll accept that recommendation.

Normally I run my pump at 2 speeds... High (2800) for 10 total hours, and low (1400 fow SWG minimum) for 14 total hours. The schedule is split 7hrs high, 4hrs low, 3hrs high, and 10hrs low (overnight since pump sits outside bedroom window). And I'm wide open on suggestions if there's a more optimal schedule. Our pool sits in full view of the southern sky. So from sunup to sunset... It gets full blast of sun all day long if that means anything.

 

[wireform]

I've dealt last year with a pool that this happened three times and pool looked like black coffee. No floc no nothing except elevated FC. Shut the filter pump off for several hours then when it's time for vacuuming it's a methodical pattern with no abrupt movement. This way it's not stirring up much. I had to stop when the cartridge filter got overloaded and started spewing brown water back through the returns. It was rinse and repeat three times and before the third vacuuming I was able to see the floor as the the water clears nicely as it settled to the floor. It looks worse because you're seeing through clear water but the dirt on the floor fools you. No robot, the robot is worse then anything you can do as it immediately goes to work mixing it up all over again.

 

[proavia]

There is no such thing as a half or partial SLAM.
You're either doing a SLAM Process or you raised FC to some arbitrary level over target range.
Time to fully commit to the SLAM Process if you want to stand any chance of the pool being swimmable in the near future.

 

[datadr93]

I greatly appreciate that advice. In process now of pushing topsoil away from pad and going to line with 57 limestone to prevent further runoff into pool area.

I'll grab the hose pool company left when dropped off pool. Never opened.

 

[datadr93]

There is no such thing as a half or partial SLAM.
You're either doing a SLAM Process or you raised FC to some arbitrary level over target range.
Time to fully commit to the SLAM Process if you want to stand any chance of the pool being swimmable in the near future.

I'm following advice from another member in this thread who provided that input. I'm not calling anyone out and will let them reply accordingly.

 

[PoolStored]

I'm following advice from another member in this thread who provided that input. I'm not calling anyone out and will let them reply accordingly.

@proavia he passed OCLT in his other thread.

 

[datadr93]

@proavia he passed OCLT in his other thread.

This is the other thread for reference which was technically unrelated to the question I posted in this thread.

Increasing RPM for SWG to work

Pool opened 2 months ago. Salt generator was connected about month ago when the concrete form was completed (ran a chlorinator until then). When first connected we could run pump at 1400 RPM and generator ran fine. We have come to point now we have to constantly increase RPM for the SWG to...

www.troublefreepool.com

My apologies if should have kept everything in one thread... please don't shame me too much.

 

[Newdude]

please don't shame me too much.

Nobody means any harm by it.

Sometimes things diverge then cross paths again. It happens.

 

[proavia]

Maybe one of the moderators can merge them.
@Newdude @mknauss @kimkats

MOD NOTE: Threads merged

I still stand by my statement that there is no half or partial SLAM.
You are either in the SLAM Process or you aren't.
We don't want members or visitors to think not dosing to SLAM Process FC levels is going to rid their pool of algae or allow them to pass all three SLAM Process criteria.

 

[datadr93]

Not fighting algae. That was determined from the OCLT.

I'm fighting freshly laid topsoil that drained into pool after heavy rain same night. I'm understanding to raise my FC higher than normal to counter any organics from the muddy water to prevent a further issue.

No one is using pool until sediment drops to bottom and can be cleaned up. Day 2 of issue and can now see the drains at bottom of pool but water still slightly brown.

 

[Bperry]

Currently been running pump full speed to clear the muddy water faster. But if suggestion to run lower, I'll accept that recommendation.

With a cartridge filter I’m not as sure of the benefit. If you’re filter is clogging up several times a day, then its obviously catching plenty of dirt. So just something to experiment with. Sometimes higher pressure tends to push particles out of the filter before they are caught, especially with sand filters. Cartridges may be less susceptible to that.

 

[Newdude]

IMO the higher speed/volume makes more mixing too, which can be counterproductive as the process drags on.

 

[datadr93]

@Newdude ... that makes sense. Dropping down from the 3400 I've been running last 24 hours. I'm currently running at my normal high-speed mode... 2800 (unless suggestion to go down further... 2800 sits around 12 psi start and watching dial to hit 16 before clean).

Will also be running for about 3 hours/off 3 hours to allow better settling. It's getting better so fingers crossed I'll still be good for hosting event on Saturday.

May the pool gods be generous...

 

[datadr93]

Reviewed this old thread

Update:
Pool is sparkling since 2 weeks again. I just wanted to share my experience to help the next person that gets something like that.

a) I tried cleaning up the mess by running the pump 24h for a couple days added DE to improve the filtering, but that didn't help. -> fail
b) Tried clarifier -> fail
c) Tried flocking -> fail

Realized that there is no quick solution when dealing with dirt. You need lots of POP.
Even called pool store and they said that they had 6 model pools flooded and the only thing that helps is switch off the pump and wait till it settles and then vacuum to waste.

d) Switched off pump and waited a solid 2 days until I used the vacuum for the first time. It took that long for the stuff to settle. I was dealing with very fine sediment type dirt. Also the vision at that time was about 10 inches from top. So I was vacuum in the dark as I couldn't see the bottom.
e) Waited another 1.5 to 2 days. Then I was able to see the bottom on the shallow end. Vacuum to waste again.
f) Waited another 1.5 to 2 days. Saw bottom on deep end. But also was dealing with algae at that time. So vision was blurry from green algae. Final vac to waste.
g) Shocking and running pump again 24h for a couple days. Used DE and back washed regular.

Hope this will help somebody in the future with a similar problem.
Thanks for all the advise from you guys.

Hopefully I'm not that long but it is what it is. I'm hoping the initial layer of clay that was laid under the topsoil didn't leach in. I don't believe so since it's nearly 4 inches below the top layer of topsoil that washed in.