Cant exit high CYA slam

[JonF7]

Hey everyone, water is nice and blue after dropping the swamp cover in at the start of the season, but was noticing tiny dust particles that go poof on the pool bottom so figured I’d slam to be safe.

Thing is, I am absolutely horrible at the CYA test. I think it’s 70, but was going to SLAM at 80 FC levels since this if a lot of resource investment. After day 1 CC dropped to 0, but any FC added over 28 is disappearing quickly.

Can I assume that’s because my true CYA is 70, or just keep trying to hold 31?

 

[PoolStored]

Why do you think it is 70? How do YOU read your CYA?

 

[JonF7]

Why do you think it is 70? How do YOU read your CYA?

Sorry I thought I replied, just in my head I guess. I’m just never sure how long a glance is. Do I instantly see it, no? Do I need to stare also, I would say not really?

Either way, I continued on and it was definitely unrelated to cya, lost 5 on the OCLT. Took apart the main drain and light and found this. Is this regular algae and the source of my problem?

 

[JonF7]

Apologies for the double post, but does where the dead algae land say anything about where it is?

Even after cleaning the light fixture, had 3FC loss overnight. A small amount of dust is near a skimmer on the vinyl seams, but can’t seem to find any other algae spots

 

[JonF7]

On Day 5, burning through test materials and ~$30 worth of chlorine per day, not to mention it is scary to think what the electric bill will be with 6 days of 24/7 pump running...losing hope and wondering what am I doing wrong?

There is one seam where tiny dust settles maybe once a day, along with one singular brown circle that poofs on brushing. Despite just having one area, I am vacuuming the entire pool once per day and brushing twice. Pressure gauge on filter is unchanged. Here are my readings below...looking for any advice anyone can offer. Just seems like it'll all be for nothing when I start traveling on Monday. After every reading used poolmath to add enough to get between 31-32 FC

CYA: 80, Target FC - 31
Date	Time	FC	CC	OCLT
18-Jun	9:30 PM	29.5	1
18-Jun	10:30 PM	31	1
19-Jun	8:00 AM	28	0.5	-3
19-Jun	11:15 AM	29	0.5
19-Jun	2:45 PM	20	0.5
19-Jun	4:45 PM	26	0.5
19-Jun	6:40 PM	27.5	0.5
19-Jun	9:00 PM	35.5	1
20-Jun	5:30 AM	30	1	-5.5
20-Jun	9:35 AM	28.5	0.5
20-Jun	11:35 AM	32	0.5
20-Jun	3:30 PM	26.5	0.5
20-Jun	9:00 PM	26	0
20-Jun	10:30 PM	35.5	0.5
21-Jun	5:25 AM	32.5	0.5	-3.5
21-Jun	11:00 AM	28.5	0.5
21-Jun	3:00 PM	27.5	0
21-Jun	9:10 PM	29.5	0.5
21-Jun	10:45 PM	31	0
22-Jun	5:30 AM	Slept through alarm	N/A
22-Jun	11:00 AM	26	0
22-Jun	8:30 PM	26.5	0
22-Jun	10:00 PM

 

[PoolStored]

5 days isn't all that long. Don't fret, you are doing good!

Post a picture of the pool water, wide view so we can see the whole pool.

Did you remove the weir doors and check the foam for algae?
Do you have a ladder? Have you removed it and scrubbed the steps and INSIDE the tubes?
Scrub around the plastic pieces that hold the liner around the stairs.

 

[JonF7]

No ladder or anything (it broke and caused a nasty injury, decided to leave it out moving forward), and I took pictures behind the door and didn’t see anything, but maybe it’s time to look how to remove skimmer doors.

Again failed the OCLT, starting to wonder if I bump my SLAM to 90 since as soon as I hit 31 it is down to 26-28 in an hour or so. Pictures of pool below, weird shade, but only thing on the floor is minor dust on seams and some acorn pieces I haven’t vacuumed yet. The liner got badly stained last year when we dropped a lot of granular shock before the pool was up and running as the cover was dropped and turned it into a swamp.

Also I’ll be traveling the next 2 days, is it okay if I leave my swcg going 24/7 at 80% to help with FC? And to have the Polaris go for a few hours to sub for “brushing”? Or would both of those be a bad idea?

 

[PoolStored]

Both fine ideas.

 

[PoolStored]

Did you remove the main drain and scrub in there?

 

[JonF7]

I did, lots of sand / some rocks but nothing algae looking. Didn’t feel anything in the pipe either.

To remove the skimmer doors, do you just kind of pull up?

Also thank you for your help, appreciate it. If the pictures are no help, sorry!

 

[PoolStored]

Depends on the skimmer. Look on the underside of the lid to get a part number. Search for that part number (google) for a manual. Should have instructions for insertion and removal.

 

[JonF7]

This got delayed due to travel and constant heavy storms, however finally had time to remove the skimmer door. There’s some tiny stuff in the foam, kind of looks like tiny caught leaves, but could be algae? Would something this small be the culprit for consuming so much FC?

 

[PoolStored]

but could be algae?

Yes.

 

[JonF7]

Yes.

And that tiny amount is causing the chugging up chlorine? That is wild!

 

[PoolStored]

I know, right?