Brown debris on bottom of pool

[OctopusSquid]

Hey all!

For the past few weeks/ months I've noticed this intermittent debris at the bottom of my pool. Initially I thought it was a sign my sand filter needed cleaning (which is still likely does) but I'm not so sure anymore. I can brush it and vacuum it up but it tends to come back within a few days. I've also been having an issue with high pH but due to some more aggressive acidifying my most recent numbers are:

FC: 5.5
TC: 6
pH: 7.2
TA: 120
Calcium hardness: 364
CA: 15
Phosphates: 557
TDS: 1300

I have not yet used any algicide. I am actively starting a de-phos liquid treatment. I use a mix of liquid chlorine and powder (that I always dissolve in a bucket of pool water first).

I haven't been good about backwashing my filter recently and am getting back on that. I doubt the sand filter has been cleaned in >10 years (we just bought the home with it installed 2 years ago).

Otherwise the pool looks great and clear. The chemistry is usually very balanced with only needing to add a bit of chlorine every week and sometimes some muriatic acid when I fill it back up. I live in Central Texas where our water is very hard.

The pool has a roof over it (still outside) so little leaf/etc gets in.

Thank you!

 

[ajw22]

Are those test results from pool store testing?

My guess is dead algae. You need to do your own testing with the TF-100 Test Kit ™ or Taylor K-2006C.

Once you have a test kit do a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test and see if you have algae in the water. If so you need to follow the SLAM Process.

I suggest you read ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and look at Recommended Levels

 

[OctopusSquid]

Are those test results from pool store testing?

My guess is dead algae. You need to do your own testing with the TF-100 Test Kit ™ or Taylor K-2006C.

Once you have a test kit do a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test and see if you have algae in the water. If so you need to follow the SLAM Process.

I suggest you read ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and look at Recommended Levels

Thank you! Do you still need to SLAM if it's dead algae?

 

[ajw22]

Thank you! Do you still need to SLAM if it's dead algae?

YES.

You should have algae free water which the SLAM Process will give you. Algae in the water is a lurking problem.

 

[wireform]

The first order of the day would be to get your own test results as those look like fool store testing which is unreliable to say the least. The dead algae in the pictures is what it is, dead algae which means your killing off live algae.

 

[OctopusSquid]

YES.

You should have algae free water which the SLAM Process will give you. Algae in the water is a lurking problem.

Thank you so much!

 

[OctopusSquid]

The first order of the day would be to get your own test results as those look like fool store testing which is unreliable to say the least. The dead algae in the pictures is what it is, dead algae which means your killing off live algae.

I've been able to confirm all the readings reliably with my Taylor K-2006C. I'm really lucky to have a good Leslie's in town. Well, specifically there is one very good manager there... the others aren't great

Is a SLAM enough or do I also need an algicide?

 

[OctopusSquid]

Thank you so much!

Is a SLAM enough or do I also need an algicide?

 

[ajw22]

Is a SLAM enough or do I also need an algicide?

Algecides do not get rid of algae.

Algaecide - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Just follow the SLAM Process step by step with no shortcuts.

You may want to do a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test first and see what the results are.

 

[Casey]

Is a SLAM enough or do I also need an algicide?

Once you have algae an algaecide will not help. It's like trying to shut barn doors after the livestock get out. It's mainly used as a preventative. Be careful with the type of algaecides you are using for future references. Cheap algaecides will cause foaming and add copper to your water. A good algaecide is polyquat 60. I dont even use algaecides unless I'm closing my pool and most of the time, I don't even use it then.

 

[Saturn94]

Once you have algae an algaecide will not help. It's like trying to shut barn doors after the livestock get out. It's mainly used as a preventative. Be careful with the type of algaecides you are using for future references. Cheap algaecides will cause foaming and add copper to your water. A good algaecide is polyquat 60. I dont even use algaecides unless I'm closing my pool and most of the time, I don't even use it then.

Good to see you posting. I hope you’re hanging in there ok.

 

[Casey]

Good to see you posting. I hope you’re hanging in there ok.

I'm doing well. Just hit a $1k scratcher.