Cloudy again... few questions

[Staci]

Still learning and I have been reading a lot of this forum & I seem to still have organics living in my pool I have done a SLAM, even took out my wedding cake stairs (have not put them back in) and passed the OCLT a few weeks back, but I let my FC drop to just below recommended level, but not under the minimum level and we are cloudy again for the last week or so . I guess that was enough to let those greenies start to grow. So I guess another SLAM is in order. I'm also still trying to get my TA down, it has come down a little from kids splashing in pool, but still over 100. (TA should be between 50-90 correct?)

So a few questions once I complete my SLAM

What is the best time to test and add chemicals? morning, afternoon or night (after everyone has swam)

What time of day should filter run and approx how long? I have it on in the evening about 5pm - 10pm

For my size pool in direct sunlight all day, is it normal to have to put 8-10 cups of 8.25% bleach in daily? or is that just because it's fighting the algae?

Thank you so much for all the help I received and continue to receive!

 

[Texas Splash]

Yes, it sounds like a SLAM is on again. For your questions though:
1 - Test anytime. But if you do a lot of swimming, perhaps check afterwards since all the swimmers will deplete FC quickly. Boost it up ASAP.
2 - It varies for each pool based on traffic, surface debris, etc. Try reviewing the TFP Pool School - Determine Pump Run Time page.
3 - I'd say that's a bit high. Something's eating that chlorine. Either the sun (CYA is low), excessive organics from lots of swimming, or algae. My pool is almost 18K and I add about 1/2 gallon (8 cups) each day. To try and rule-out algae, you could of an overnight (OCLT) test. That may help.

As for the correct TA level, we do list a TFP recommended level (see below), but also keep in mind that TA has a large impact on how well pH remains stable, so we usually focus on that relationship a bit more. As long as the TA isn't exceptionally low (below 50) or exceptionally high (over 150) we may simply say watch the pH movement. If your pH is rising really fast, try lowering the TA down to about 80, then 60 (if needed) to see how that works. Hope that helps.

 

[Staci]

Started SLAM yesterday, brushed like a mad woman and lost 5 ppm overnight, so continuing SLAM today. Thanks for the answers to my questions.
As for the TA, it was 110 last time I checked (about a week ago) my pH does crawl up to what looks like about 7.8 but not as red as 8.2. can I check TA level during SLAM?

 

[Staci]

OK, so my water is crystal clear, there is nowhere for algae to hide, took out stairs as stated above. Floor and walls have been brushed. I failed OCLT last night (5 ppm loss) so I continued SLAM today, but my FC loss seems a bit high to me... it's losing anywhere from 4-5 ppm in 1.5hrs. Pool is in direct sunlight all day and the water temp is 88-90* My CYA was 60 before I started SLAM (target of 24) & pH was about 7.8... not sure what could be contributing to the high FC loss. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I also think that my pool got this way because the FC dropped below the targeted range recommended. Would it be a good idea to bump the recommended target up from 7 - 9 to 9 - 11?

 

[Texas Splash]

You can test TA during the SLAM, but there's really no need to. FC and CC are the most important right now - maintaining that SLAM level of 24. You will experience more FC loss not only because the bleach is fighting algae, but also because the sun is grabbing some of that elevated FC level. Think of it like this ..... when your FC is in the normal recommended range, there's an appropriate amount of CYA (stabilizer) to protect it. But when we elevate the FC higher for algae, the higher we go the quicker some of that elevated FC will be taken by the sun - especially in the summer heat. Just do your best to maintain during the day. At night is the true test when there's no more sunlight to fight the FC. So for now, continue what you're doing. Now that your water is crystal clear, maybe you'll have better luck with the next OCLT.

Once you pass the SLAM, you should still be able to stay in the recommended FC range for your CYA. But that's why it's so important to have a good CYA reading. If in doubt, you can hover on the high end of that FC range if it helps.

 

[Staci]

Thanks Texas Splash!

A little bit frustrated and honestly baffled... my water is sparkling, but I lost 4.5 ppm on the OCLT 2nd night in a row. Could something be off?? I tested CYA got between 50-60 so I went with 60 and used that for SLAM level ... can I retest CYA (if the sun comes out) during SLAM?

 

[Texas Splash]

You can test CYA again, no problem. So a 4.5 drop during the OCLT tells us that there is something missing. The organic bug is in there somewhere. You have a typical 24" AGP round, and steps are already removed. No light right? If there's nothing else in the pool, that leaves the filter. When was the last time you looked in, or deep cleaned, the sand in that filter? Perhaps it's time: Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter

Now I will also say that you just started the SLAM a couple days ago. That's very quick. Most SLAMs take a few days or more. Unlike those green swamps, it's probably even more frustrating when you see clear water and expect to pass quickly, but algae can form in various stages and still thrive even if you don't see the green. You might have just caught it before it exploded into a green mess. So hang in there and continue to maintain the SLAM. If you find something changes with your testing later, let us know. Have a good day.

 

[FatMongo]

I had similar issues when I found this forum. I was using a crapped test set and ordered the Taylor K-2006 (order the Taylor K-2006C comes with extra reagents). But i was advised to keep adding 60oz bleach daily until my test set came. My water was starting to clear up but still a tad cloudy, not perfect. Test set came and I found my CYA was over 100 and learned thru pool school this was WAAAY high and reduced the effectiveness of FC, so I drained pool and got CyA to a reasonable level of 50. Kept my FC super high as recommend by the chart for a SLAM until I passed the Overnight test. When my pool water was clearer but still found i failed overnight test I ended looking in my skimmer and into my pump basket, I found a ton of leaves in my pump basket and some jammed in the skimmer and a few sticks and leaves sticking out of my bottom drain. Once I cleaned those out and back washed my filter and I always run the RINSE for about 2 minutes after I back wash. I started to lose less FC overnight.

I just kept my FC up at SLAM level for about 7-8 days and now water is clear and it has stayed clear.

 

[Staci]

FatMongo, your an old neighbor!!! We moved from Jackson, NJ to SC 11/2015

You can test CYA again, no problem. So a 4.5 drop during the OCLT tells us that there is something missing. The organic bug is in there somewhere. You have a typical 24" AGP round, and steps are already removed. No light right? If there's nothing else in the pool, that leaves the filter. When was the last time you looked in, or deep cleaned, the sand in that filter? Perhaps it's time: Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter

Nope, nothing in pool, no lights, no stairs, nada. Nothing around to fall into pool and sand in filter was changed out in April, so all clean there. Now I tested CYA before SLAM and it was a bit cloudy out and I got a 60, I just retested in the bright sunshine and it is 50, so I was SLAMming at 24 instead of 20, will that make a difference in the 4.5 ppm loss or is what I lost what I lost no matter what?
The reason I started the SLAM is because the pool had a slight cloudiness to it and I wanted to avoid any chance of going green.
Also my CC is 1 right now, not sure if that's because of SLAM level (its always been 0)

 

[Staci]

FatMongo, your an old neighbor!!! We moved from Jackson, NJ to SC 11/2015

You can test CYA again, no problem. So a 4.5 drop during the OCLT tells us that there is something missing. The organic bug is in there somewhere. You have a typical 24" AGP round, and steps are already removed. No light right? If there's nothing else in the pool, that leaves the filter. When was the last time you looked in, or deep cleaned, the sand in that filter? Perhaps it's time: Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter

Nope, nothing in pool, no lights, no stairs, nada. Nothing around to fall into pool and sand in filter was changed out in April, so all clean there. Now I tested CYA before SLAM and it was a bit cloudy out and I got a 60, I just retested in the bright sunshine and it is 50, so I was SLAMming at 24 instead of 20, will that make a difference in the 4.5 ppm loss or is what I lost what I lost no matter what?
The reason I started the SLAM is because the pool had a slight cloudiness to it and I wanted to avoid any chance of going green.
Also my CC is 1 right now, not sure if that's because of SLAM level (its always been 0)

 

[FatMongo]

FatMongo, your an old neighbor!!! We moved from Jackson, NJ to SC 11/2015

Thats cool I am over by Glory's. How is SC?

Also, the CC of a 1 probably means your chlorine is still attacking organic material. And I would say yes no matter your FC level you would probably have lost FC over night in the same amount. I had my FC up about 30+ during my slam and as high as 39 because I had a boat load of CyA in my pool.

Have you vacuumed your pool yet? And are you brushing the bottom and sides 2 - 3 times per day. When I had mine I was brushing every morning and every night. I kept the filter running 24x7 and was back washing every morning and evening after I brushed the pool. I also was vacuuming to waste ever other day.

What I found is a full frontal attack and a ton of patients got my pool to be clear.

 

[Staci]

Thats cool I am over by Glory's. (I WAS BY THE STOP & SHOP OFF COUNTY LINE/ BROOKWOOD 3) How is SC? (NICE, SO MUCH MORE FOR YOUR MONEY AND TAXES ARE SUPER LOW!)

Also, the CC of a 1 probably means your chlorine is still attacking organic material. And I would say yes no matter your FC level you would probably have lost FC over night in the same amount. I had my FC up about 30+ during my slam and as high as 39 because I had a boat load of CyA in my pool.

Have you vacuumed your pool yet? (NOTHING TO VACUUM, NOTHING AROUND POOL TO FALL INTO IT)
And are you brushing the bottom and sides 2 - 3 times per day. (YUPPER AT LEAST 1X IF NOT 2X)
When I had mine I was brushing every morning and every night. I kept the filter running 24x7 (YUP 24/7) and was back washing every morning (YES, BACKWASHED IN AM) and evening after I brushed the pool. I also was vacuuming to waste ever other day.

What I found is a full frontal attack and a ton of patients got my pool to be clear.

I passed the OCLT last night, only dropped .5 ppm Thanks for the help guys!!