I just recently bought a house with a pool, the previous owners opened it this year for the inspection but then left it go. So when I moved in, it was filled with green algea, I have since shocked it, vacuumed to waste and backwashed my filter as well as trying to balance out levels. My water is now blue but I can't see the walls or bottom through it and as far as the test strips go, I am not maintaining any amount of FC either (I have a Taylor kit on the way). I am brand new to pools and am trying my luck so I don't have to pay anyone but now I'm at a loss on what to do.
Brand new pool owner
- Thread starter Stein07
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 62,771
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Welcome to the forum!
While you are waiting on your test kit, add 5 ppm FC worth of liquid chlorine / plain bleach to your pool each evening with the pump running. This will replenish the FC lost each day to the sun and also inhibit any algae in the water from growing further.
I suggest you read through Pool Care Basics - Trouble Free Pool and even look at a few of our videos TFP-TV - Trouble Free Pool
While you are waiting on your test kit, add 5 ppm FC worth of liquid chlorine / plain bleach to your pool each evening with the pump running. This will replenish the FC lost each day to the sun and also inhibit any algae in the water from growing further.
I suggest you read through Pool Care Basics - Trouble Free Pool and even look at a few of our videos TFP-TV - Trouble Free Pool
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,684
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
When you get your test kit, follow the SLAM process. Link-->SLAM Process
The result. Link-->How Clear is TFP Clear?
The result. Link-->How Clear is TFP Clear?
Okay, thanks. I have been adding some liquid chlorine each evening trying to stay on top of it. I will also look at the SLAM process as well. Another question I had was how to know when it's time to change the sand in the filter. I have no idea how old any of the equipment is or when anything was last changed.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,684
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
If the sand hasn't been gunked up with a bunch of pool store products, sand does not wear out.
You will know during the SLAM if your filter is working properly...
You will know during the SLAM if your filter is working properly...
I can totally relate to your story. Last year we bought a house that just happened to have a beautiful pool that was not on our list of wants and needs. It was already open and clear for the month or so until the time came to close it. I managed it blindly with some help from the pool company that was recommended to me.
But fun time was over when I had it opened this year and I saw the green blob that grew over the winter. The pool company just said to shock it but without any detail on what to use or any detail. That's when I realized I had to really own the process and understand what was going on. I found TPF and immersed myself in the details.
I can say without any reservation that getting a TPF-Pro kit and embracing the SLAM process rewarded me with a clear pool and a real understanding of the chemistry involved in getting a clean safe pool. It took about a week to get there due to not being able to treat as often as recommended. Next year I will plan to open a week or two earlier and make sure to keep up the SLAM chlorine levels and I expect it to go a bit faster.
Using the Poolmath app has been great to track the results and once the SLAM was done I've been able to monitor and move my numbers where they need to be.
It's a relief to open the pool to family and friends knowing what's going on in there.
But fun time was over when I had it opened this year and I saw the green blob that grew over the winter. The pool company just said to shock it but without any detail on what to use or any detail. That's when I realized I had to really own the process and understand what was going on. I found TPF and immersed myself in the details.
I can say without any reservation that getting a TPF-Pro kit and embracing the SLAM process rewarded me with a clear pool and a real understanding of the chemistry involved in getting a clean safe pool. It took about a week to get there due to not being able to treat as often as recommended. Next year I will plan to open a week or two earlier and make sure to keep up the SLAM chlorine levels and I expect it to go a bit faster.
Using the Poolmath app has been great to track the results and once the SLAM was done I've been able to monitor and move my numbers where they need to be.
It's a relief to open the pool to family and friends knowing what's going on in there.
Thanks for the info! I've been reading up on the SLAM and will hopefully be getting to that starting this weekend and see how long it takes.
Okay, I got my Taylor test kit. Here are my results:
FC - .5
TC - .5
CC - 0
pH - 7.5
TA - 70
CH - 130
CYA - 30
I have been adding chlorine daily but not a whole lot. Would the SLAM process still be needed? My water is still blue but cloudy. I can't see the bottom of the pool or the sides starting about 3 inches in the water
FC - .5
TC - .5
CC - 0
pH - 7.5
TA - 70
CH - 130
CYA - 30
I have been adding chlorine daily but not a whole lot. Would the SLAM process still be needed? My water is still blue but cloudy. I can't see the bottom of the pool or the sides starting about 3 inches in the water
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,684
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
OUTSTANDING!!!!!
If the pool is cloudy, you should slam.
All those water parameters are perfect for SLAM. Your Target FC is 12. GO SLAM! Link-->SLAM Process
If the pool is cloudy, you should slam.
All those water parameters are perfect for SLAM. Your Target FC is 12. GO SLAM! Link-->SLAM Process