Battling algae

[Swampthing2829]

I lost another 8 ppm overnight, which is worse instead of better but I passed all the other elements of SLAM

Interesting that you seeing such a large FC loss with clear water. Are you using liquid chlorine to maintain the required SLAM FC level? Any problems with the filter, reading PSI increase, or backwashing process? Any concerns with items noted in the SLAM Process page?

7.5% household bleach.
Pool logs should show my additions. I’m testing and bumping to 20 ppm at least 4x a day. Filter is fine, this is the first full season if use so sand is new. Psi is hovering around 15. Backwash was a little cloudy for the first day but has been clear since. Picture below was my pool this morning.

 

[Texas Splash]

7.5% household bleach.

I see your posts were merged with a previous thread, so you might have been asked this already, but .... that bleach isn't the Clorox brand is it? Only regular/plain bleach? No scented, splashless, or type of bleach that advertises some fabric enhancers?

 

[Swampthing2829]

I sprayed my ladder down with a bleach solution two days ago. Brushed daily for the first couple of days but skipped yesterday due to work commitments- can do it again this evening. Running the dolphin once a day but at this point it’s not coming up with anything. Kids have only been in once since starting SLAM so there’s really no debris

 

[Swampthing2829]

I see your posts were merged with a previous thread, so you might have been asked this already, but .... that bleach isn't the Clorox brand is it? Only regular/plain bleach? No scented, splashless, or type of bleach that advertises some fabric enhancers?

Correct. Not chlorox, no additives, not low splash. Purchased this week so not old. Great value 7.5% regular bleach

 

[Texas Splash]

Ladder? Is it still in the pool? If so, I would remove that right away. Ladders are a pool's nemesis retaining algae you never see.

 

[Swampthing2829]

Ladder? Is it still in the pool? If so, I would remove that right away. Ladders are a pool's nemesis retaining algae you never see.

I did remove it and clean it but put it back in so the kids could swim. I can take it out again

 

[Swampthing2829]

There is absolutely nothing visible algae wise. Whatever the chlorine is eating at is not visible to the eye unless it’s in the PVC or flex piping/return jet- but I’d imagine SLAM would eradicate that?

 

[mknauss]

Your picture shows pretty cloudy water. Just stay at the SLAM.

 

[Swampthing2829]

Your picture shows pretty cloudy water. Just stay at the SLAM.

Wow really? Its the clearest it’s ever been IMO. That’s interesting. I guess I didn’t realize this was considered cloudy!

 

[mknauss]

How Clear is TFP Clear? Let's See (Pics Please).

How clear should my water be? A very common question. Here is mine on a calm morning where I could finally vacuum. Yes I know, I'm still manually vacuuming. It took me 7 years to finally get an SWG, I'm working on a robot. :) So now let's see your water clarity.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Swampthing2829]

How Clear is TFP Clear? Let's See (Pics Please).

How clear should my water be? A very common question. Here is mine on a calm morning where I could finally vacuum. Yes I know, I'm still manually vacuuming. It took me 7 years to finally get an SWG, I'm working on a robot. :) So now let's see your water clarity.

www.troublefreepool.com

I’ll keep at it! Obviously I still have an issue! Thanks

 

[Swampthing2829]

Now I’m confused. Both my readings at 9 and now (1100), it is 20 ppm, no FC loss. Pool is in Direct sun. CC 0.

I’m curious as to why my overnight loss is so great but today my daytime loss is minimal? I was 3-5 ppm down every 2-4 hours yesterday during the day.

 

[mknauss]

Brush or swim in the pool. Above ground pools can have issues with circulation.

 

[JoeSelf]

Does the ladder have holes to let water in? If so there will be algae inside. Others have used turkey basters to inject bleach water into the steps to kill the algea.

 

[duraleigh]

The inconsistency of your tests indicate some possible testing errors. On this and all other drops based test, hold the dropper vertical and allow the drops to form and then fall from the tip. Try not to squirt them out. Then you keep adding drops and counting until the LAST drop you add makes absolutely no color change. Subtract that last drop and that is the endpoint of the test

 

[Swampthing2829]

Does the ladder have holes to let water in? If so there will be algae inside. Others have used turkey basters to inject bleach water into the steps to kill the algea.

The inconsistency of your tests indicate some possible testing errors. On this and all other drops based test, hold the dropper vertical and allow the drops to form and then fall from the tip. Try not to squirt them out. Then you keep adding drops and counting until the LAST drop you add makes absolutely no color change. Subtract that last drop and that is the endpoint of the test

It’s 18 ppm now @ 11:30. I had been doing that process. I’m going to get the kids in to swim and brush while they’re at it after lunch. One thing I did notice is that the test sample would be clear with no pink at all then I’d leave it for a few minutes to add bleach and upon return, the water was visibly pink again. Does that mean I didn’t add enough drops or is the test invalid after reading?

 

[JoeSelf]

That is normal. Test ends when its clear. It will slowly go back to a slight pink if left alone.

 

[Swampthing2829]

That is normal. Test ends when its clear. It will slowly go back to a slight pink if left alone.

I didn’t answer your question. It has screw holes so I’d bet my bottom dollar there may be algae inside. I didn’t even think of that. I’ll get it back out after the kids swim today and try flushing it

 

[Britali]

Wow really? Its the clearest it’s ever been IMO. That’s interesting. I guess I didn’t realize this was considered cloudy!

Just to give you a reference point. Here is my ladder in my ABG.

 

[Swampthing2829]

Just to give you a reference point. Here is my ladder in my ABG.

I’m headed in the right direction, I think. Bottom left was this morning, bottom right taken now. Taking my ladder out now for deep cleaning