Brown pool start up help!

[caitym]

Hi, I’m helping my elderly neighbor who is really struggling with their pool (my guess is dementia is setting in). I started managing my own pool last year, but I’m still trying to perfect it. Anyhow, the pool is concrete and in-ground with pebble tech coating and jacuzzi variable speed pump and city water. It’s totally brown/green. I bought everything I need to SLAM it, but want feedback first on the initial chemistry. I also just cleaned the filters. I have the recommended TF Pro testing kit, which I used:

TA 110
PH 7.2
FC 2
CC .5
CYA less than 30 as I still see the black dot and the tube is full
CH 75

Should I begin the slam process or make adjustments first?
Side question: he has a Polaris pool sweep with booster pump. The sweep suddenly keeps getting twisted and not going to one side of the pool. These are such a pain! Any ideas?

 

[PoolStored]

Should I begin the slam process or make adjustments first?

Get any large debris out...leaves, logs etc. Start the SLAM process.
You want to raise the CH to 250 to protect the plaster when you are done with SLAM. You could also use Cal-Hypo during the slam to help raise CH.

Side question: he has a Polaris pool sweep with booster pump. The sweep suddenly keeps getting twisted and not going to one side of the pool. These are such a pain! Any ideas?

Post up in pool cleaners forum...

Post some pictures of the pool water so we can see what we are dealing with.

 

[caitym]

Get any large debris out...leaves, logs etc. Start the SLAM process.
You want to raise the CH to 250 to protect the plaster when you are done with SLAM. You could also use Cal-Hypo during the slam to help raise CH.

Post up in pool cleaners forum...

Post some pictures of the pool water so we can see what we are dealing with.

Just attached a couple photos— no debris in pool!

 

[PoolStored]

Great! Slam away!

 

[caitym]

Great! Slam away!

Thank you! I’m on it! Any idea why the color looks so bad, but it shows free chlorine?

 

[TinFoilHat]

Puck floaters in use or a SWG in use? It doesn't matter, get some gallonage of chlorine in it.

 

[PoolStored]

Thank you! I’m on it! Any idea why the color looks so bad, but it shows free chlorine?

Did you test FC with the FAS/DPD, powder and reagent? How much sample water did you use? 5ml, 10m, 25ml? How many drops?
I'd get enough CYA to add 30ppm in a sock soaking, and slam with FC of 12. Test CYA 24/48 hrs later. Adjust slam FC based on that result.
How was the owner chlorinating?

 

[wireform]

Go slow on the CYA additions as the higher the CYA the more chlorine for the slam. Not your pool so you don't really know the capacity.