Cannot get total alkalinity down

[amycole84]

View attachment 322366View attachment 322367

The substance in the bottom is mostly pollen, we literally get clouds of it.

That water does look like a SLAM is in order. Are those green patches algae, do they react to brushing, or are they metal stains?

Don't worry about TA now, you need to get chlorine in asap. You should never allow FC to drop below the min level in the FC/CYA chart.

I suggest to follow the SLAM process:

SLAM - Shock Level and Maintain

We’ve all had to deal with a green pool. Clear algae from your pool with a SLAM! Read here to use shock level and maintain to clear your pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

Keep the SWG off for now. Once your pool is clear, you can add more salt and start the SWG.

The K-2005-Salt is a great kit, but it doesn't have the FAS-DPD test, it only has DPD. That means you add DPD powder or drops which turns the water pink. The exact shade of pink correlates with the FC-level. That is not very precise and doesn't allow to test at higher FC-levels required during a SLAM.

Only the K-2006 has the FAS-DPD test. After adding the DPD, you add FAS drops until the sample turns from pink to clear. The number of drops gives you an exact measurement of the FC-level.

You can buy a separate FAS-DPD test as an add-on to your K-2005 kit. You will need that for your SLAM.

the reagents were ordered separately, I forgot I had done that. The patches are actually yellow colored- I believe it to be from massive pollen clouds we get every year. The pollen was floating on top before I added the floc.

 

[mknauss]

before I added the floc

I suspect some floc will get to your sand filter That means the sand will need to be changed. Wait until the floc is gone.
We never recommend floc.

 

[mgtfp]

The patches are actually yellow colored- I believe it to be from massive pollen clouds we get every year. The pollen was floating on top before I added the floc.

You should be able to remove pollen from the surface by skimming. Make sure that the water level is right for the skimmer to work and that the skimmer weir is working. Also important to adjust the pool return eyelets so that there is a circulating current round the pool, past the skimmer.

When my water surface looks too dirty, I sometimes speed up the skimming process by pushing the dirt gently with the brush towards the skimmer.

In pollen season, I need to keep the pump running basically all day if I want the water surface to be clean.

You should vacuum the remains of the floc with a manual vacuum to waist. Once all the floc is gone, check the filter pressure.

Anyway, get chlorine into the pool asap, and maybe run an OCLT to make sure that there really is no algae (actually very likely after a few days with zero FC):

Perform the Overnight FC Loss Test (OCLT)

The Overnight Chlorine Loss Test tells if the SLAM is finished or if you need to start a SLAM. This article says how to do the OCLT.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[amycole84]

I suspect some floc will get to your sand filter That means the sand will need to be changed. Wait until the floc is gone.
We never recommend floc.

how would you suggest pollen be removed? the pollen does not sink to the bottom of the pool. It stays suspended and floats.

 

[Lilypad]

You might want to try these disposable hairnets in your skimmer. Take one and put the elastic
around the top and the rest in the basket. The pressure of the water will keep it down. Some
use a rock but to weight it but I haven't needed it. Not sure how much it will capture but may help you.

https://www.amazon.com/Products-Disposable-Spun-Bonded-Polypropylene-Non-Woven/dp/B002XK2FS0

 

[amycole84]

You might want to try these disposable hairnets in your skimmer. Take one and put the elastic
around the top and the rest in the basket. The pressure of the water will keep it down. Some
use a rock but to weight it but I haven't needed it. Not sure how much it will capture but may help you.

https://www.amazon.com/Products-Disposable-Spun-Bonded-Polypropylene-Non-Woven/dp/B002XK2FS0

I have been using short stocking, the stocking was not fine enough to trap the pollen in the water but did help with the clumps on top.

 

[CrystalRiver]

Your filter will capture and remove the pollen. Just let it skim. That's what it's for.