Ascorbic Acid Treatment
- Thread starter DOMO
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So I took a look at the housing when I got home. There are multiple screws around what appears to be the outer housing. It looks like there is one screw on the top of what might be the inner housing (an inner ring that covers the bulb edges and looks like it has a rubber gasket that meets up with the bulb). I'm wondering if I take that one screw off, will it allow me to take the bulb out?
More importantly, however, is IF I do this and IF there is algae in the conduit behind the bulb, am I opening Pandora's box to a big algae problem by releasing it into the main pool? I'm very concerned about this.
Also, would it make sense to try doing an algae dose of the Poly 30 algecide that I have? In previous posts, I believe you may have said something along the lies of 'if it's polyquat....., it will be fine', and so I'm wondering if that will be ok from a metals standpoint? Hope that made sense?!
More importantly, however, is IF I do this and IF there is algae in the conduit behind the bulb, am I opening Pandora's box to a big algae problem by releasing it into the main pool? I'm very concerned about this.
Also, would it make sense to try doing an algae dose of the Poly 30 algecide that I have? In previous posts, I believe you may have said something along the lies of 'if it's polyquat....., it will be fine', and so I'm wondering if that will be ok from a metals standpoint? Hope that made sense?!
If there is algae in there then it is already in the pool. So getting it out of there will expose it to the chlorine in the pool to kill it. All I would do is watch th FC level closely and keep it in the target range. Polyquat 30 is fine, it will just use up some FC.
Definitely try the one screw it probably holds the bulb in and the multi screws probably holds the niche to the pool.
Definitely try the one screw it probably holds the bulb in and the multi screws probably holds the niche to the pool.
That's what I assumed about the algae being in the water already, just wanted to make sure I didn't create some massive new issue!
Makes sense about the screws, but if I take out the one in the inner ring, that should allow the light to come out, yes? Would think I don't want to mess around with the ones that hold the niche in?
Last question, if the algae is already in the water, then why pull the light out? Why not just add some algecide to help combat what is eating all my FC?
Makes sense about the screws, but if I take out the one in the inner ring, that should allow the light to come out, yes? Would think I don't want to mess around with the ones that hold the niche in?
Last question, if the algae is already in the water, then why pull the light out? Why not just add some algecide to help combat what is eating all my FC?
Yes, agreed.
Because the algae needs to be exposed to the chlorine. Algae can build up a biofilm that helps protect it from chlorine, especially in low circulation areas. That is why it is important to brush during a slam.
If you're too worried about, you could try what I do. Whenever I remove my light to clean up any debris buildup behind it, I swim up to the light wearing a scuba mask and with the vacuum hose in hand. Then, as I remove the light, I stick the vacuum hose behind the light to minimize the amount of gunk that falls in the pool. I then use a small towel or brush to clean everything while holding that vacuum hose next to it and this way all the solid that are stirred up get sucked into the vacuum hose.
Good ideas, I was thinking of something like that. I assume I need to turn off the power to the light when messing around with it, just in case, yes?
But much worse news, am starting to see the stains returning!!!!!! :grrrr:
But much worse news, am starting to see the stains returning!!!!!! :grrrr:
As a follow up to my earlier post today, have been reading our lite (Amerlite) manual and watching some videos on line on light maintenance. Most receommend changing the rubber gasket when replacing a bulb, but since the inside of th actual light should be water tight behind the lens, you're talking about algae being inside the actual niche in the pool wall, right? And therefore, no need to take the lens off the light housing, but rather take the housing off to check if algae has grown inside the niche behind the housing, yes?
Yes, that's right, the niche is what often needs to be cleaned out. No need to unseal the light bulb housing.
So you guesse it , TONS of algae in the niche. Too much to contain. Tried to catch big pieces with net. So now what? Wipe housing and niche clean with a towel? Algecide? Run robot vac? MORE bleach?
Nice! Ues, wipe it all clean and reinstall the light. No algaecide, but you can if you want. Yes robot/vac. And definitely keep your FC up. 
OK. Got it all clean. I did use some algecide on a toothbrush to clean the housing as there was some algae in th edges where the lens meets the housing.
Starting robot and will be checking FC often.
Fingers crossed! And thanks!
Starting robot and will be checking FC often.
Fingers crossed! And thanks!
Me too! It's been aa tough year for our little pool! Robot doing its thing, light and niche thoroughly cleaned and re-installed (those lights are much harder to put back in vs taking out!), system back up and running, and added more bleach to get a little over target.
A few new questions:
• The niche is clean, but water gets into the conduit, which I assume also has algae given how much was in the niche. Since water gets in the niche and the conduit and if algae is there, how will the problem not persist and more grow in the niche?
• stupid question: since water gets into the light's electrical conduit, why does that not need to be blown out at closing?
A few new questions:
• The niche is clean, but water gets into the conduit, which I assume also has algae given how much was in the niche. Since water gets in the niche and the conduit and if algae is there, how will the problem not persist and more grow in the niche?
• stupid question: since water gets into the light's electrical conduit, why does that not need to be blown out at closing?
Alright, time to relax for the rest of the summer! 
I've never closed a pool, but I think maybe because it is open to the air and it can expand and contract in there as it freezes. Maybe?
I would take the light out and clean it every spring or two. My light had a bunch of junk in it a couple of years ago. I probably need to go clean it again.
I've never closed a pool, but I think maybe because it is open to the air and it can expand and contract in there as it freezes. Maybe?
I would take the light out and clean it every spring or two. My light had a bunch of junk in it a couple of years ago. I probably need to go clean it again.
Good idea on periodic cleaning, that's going on my list! Ran the robot twice yesterday and did a thorough cleaning of it when done. Did a backwash last night (partly for the algae and partly because we are starting a 2 day sequestrant process). Here's some potential good news..... added bleach yesterday afternoon after the cleaning to bring to target. Tested FC around 8 PM last night and again early this morning around 6 AM, and reading was around 11-12 both times!
Spoke too soon. Cloudy cool day here and no one swimming and FC dropped 4 ppm from this morning to 8. That seems like too much of a loss, yes?
Hi. Thought I'd provide an update as it's been a week since the light niche algae remediation. Unfortunately, still experiencing daily FC loss in the neighborhood of 5-7 ppm, which means I'm still going through 100+ oz of bleach daily! 