cloudy pool

[tatemathison]

I am new to TFP. My pool guy unexpectedly is unavailable. We live in a small town and I cannot get a new pool guy. For the time being I am going to attempt to do it myself. It is a large pool (66,000 gallons) with a 55ft infinity edge. It also has a UV filter in addition to a regular filter.

Last week my pool became cloudy. I cannot seem to get it clear again. I've tried shocking it twice over the past 4 days.
My current test results are as follows:
FC - 0
TC - 1
CC - 1?
PH - 7.2
TA - 100ppm
CH - 520
CYA - 40ppm
I can't keep my CC up overnight it keeps lowing going down to zero or near zero.

 

[HermanTX]

You do not state what type of filter. Does it need to be cleaned or backwashed?
Also with a CYA of 40 the FC level should be at least at 4ppm. You are using liquid chlorine so add that to increase FC. That may be what you meant by shock. If you can not hold FC in the water then it may be algae which will require more effort and lots of liquid chlorine.

Please look at
SLAM Process
FC/CYA Levels

 

[tatemathison]

Thanks for responding. I have a Pentair FullflowXF C-Series (4 separate filters in the can). I have two sets which I just switched them out today. I also have a Paramount Ultra UV2 Pool Sanitizer. I am using a granulated chlorine, maybe that is not the correct kind?

 

[tatemathison]

I just reviewed the links you sent, I missed them in my original reply. I looks like I need to use liquid chlorine. Then I will do SLAM process?

 

[HermanTX]

I just reviewed the links you sent, I missed them in my original reply. I looks like I need to use liquid chlorine. Then I will do SLAM process?

I thought you were using LC because that is denoted in your profile (see info under your avatar).
I would raise my chlorine level so that FC is 4ppm or higher Monitor it throughout the day.
Then, do a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test tomorrow night That will tell us if there are algae. You will need to turn off the UV device.
After the FC test on the following morning, post the findings of overnight test.

It is good that you changed out the filters. Chlorine kills algae but the filter captures it so you may need to do another filter exchange in coming days.

 

[wireform]

In your opening thread you list your levels and the culprit of your troubles is front and center. With a CYA 40 minimum is 3 ppm and target is 5-7 which you clearly were skirting danger with your "4" because if your daily loss is only 2 you're already below the minimum which you should never be at. I'd skip the OCLT and head straight for a fully active slam before it gets any worse. If you actually had a number in your FC column you'd most likely have a higher CC number too.

 

[tatemathison]

I thought you were using LC because that is denoted in your profile (see info under your avatar).
I would raise my chlorine level so that FC is 4ppm or higher Monitor it throughout the day.
Then, do a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test tomorrow night That will tell us if there are algae. You will need to turn off the UV device.
After the FC test on the following morning, post the findings of overnight test.

It is good that you changed out the filters. Chlorine kills algae but the filter captures it so you may need to do another filter exchange in coming days.

Thanks! I updated my signature to include more of my pool info. I will do the test tomorrow. I am not looking forward to changing the filters again... they are a lot of work. Is there an easier way to clean them? Thanks for the tip on the UV, why do I have one?

 

[tatemathison]

In your opening thread you list your levels and the culprit of your troubles is front and center. With a CYA 40 minimum is 3 ppm and target is 5-7 which you clearly were skirting danger with your "4" because if your daily loss is only 2 you're already below the minimum which you should never be at. I'd skip the OCLT and head straight for a fully active slam before it gets any worse. If you actually had a number in your FC column you'd most likely have a higher CC number too.

Thanks! It looks like I will be doing the slam soon. New to all this.... I updated my signature with my pool info. Not sure if the info is helpful.

 

[wireform]

Thanks for the tip on the UV, why do I have one?

You can disconnect it and leave it off. UV doesn't add anything to the chemistry and is totally unnecessary in an outdoor environment.

 

[HermanTX]

Thanks for the tip on the UV, why do I have one?

It is a technology that pool equipment suppliers and pool builders promote such that owners can supposedly use less chlorine. Point being, it creates a situation that you are in. You have plenty of UV from the sun. Furthermore that UV lamp only attacks bacteria flowing through it. It doesn't give any immediate sanitization protection when a person pees in the pool or if a frog dies in your pool, etc. - only chlorine can do that. If you want to know more please read

UV Systems - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[HermanTX]

Thanks! It looks like I will be doing the slam soon. New to all this.... I updated my signature with my pool info. Not sure if the info is helpful.

Thanks for updating your pool information. It is very helpful. I see you have the K2005 kit. That kit does not have the FAS/DPD test for FC. That is what is needed for a SLAM. Please purchase this additional kit from TFTESTKITS.net

Chlorine

tftestkits.net

Also, can you post your results of the testing you have done yesterday and today?

 

[tatemathison]

I will pick up FAS/DPD test. I will post my test results later today.

 

[tatemathison]

Using the Poolmath calculator it appears I need 17 gallons (7 gallons) of liquid chlorine. Do I add it all at once? Do i need more to maintain FC level?

 

[JJ_Tex]

Using the Poolmath calculator it appears I need 17 gallons of liquid chlorine. Do I add it all at once? Do i need more to maintain FC level?

17 gallons would raise your FC by 26, then you would need to maintain that FC level for the SLAM.

How confident are you in the 66,000 gallons? That would be a massive residential pool (that we totally want to see pictures of when all is said and done ).
If you are not confident in the 66k gallons, add chlorine 5-10 gallons at a time then test 30 mins later and re-add accordingly so you don't way overshoot your mark.

 

[tatemathison]

17 gallons would raise your FC by 26, then you would need to maintain that FC level for the SLAM.

How confident are you in the 66,000 gallons? That would be a massive residential pool (that we totally want to see pictures of when all is said and done ).
If you are not confident in the 66k gallons, add chlorine 5-10 gallons at a time then test 30 mins later and re-add accordingly so you don't way overshoot your mark.

Great! I was a little nervous about 17 gallons. I am fairly confident in the 66,000 gallons (28ft x 65ft) + (4ft x 65ft spill). I attached a picture of the pool and spill pool.

 

[HermanTX]

Using the Poolmath calculator it appears I need 17 gallons (7 gallons) of liquid chlorine. Do I add it all at once? Do i need more to maintain FC level?

I looked at your PM logs. Just so we are all on the same page. 7 gals of LC (10%) will raise FC by 11ppm in 66k gals. But 17 gals will raise FC by 26 as indicated by @JJ_Tex. The logs showed that 17 gals was added.
Your earlier post said CYA was 40ppm. Then you added 44 ozs of dry stabilizer will raise CYA by 5ppm (that is margin of error in the test).
For a SLAM you require 16ppm of FC for CYA of 40 or 20ppm of FC for CYA of 50.
Suggest you test and show the results once you obtain your FAS/DPD test kit. Your K2005 kit does not show FC levels above 5ppm but you can dilute the sample to get approximate higher levels of FC until your new kit arrives.

 

[Newdude]

I attached a picture of the pool and

I did not wake up today knowing that I'd regret only being able to attach one 'love' emojii to a post. But here we are.

Here are the others you deserve

 

[tatemathison]

Started the slam process today. My test results before were:
FC - 0
TC - 0
pH - 7.2
TC - 80
CH - 350 (learned how to swirl the sample correctly)
CYA - 35 (swirled correctly)

I added 17 gallons of 10% chlorine
after 5 hours my levels are:
FC - 20
TC - 16
does that look correct?

 

[PoolStored]

For purposes of slam, your CYA is 40. Always round up to the next round X0.

FC SLAM Target is 16. You over shot. No worries.

TC = FC + CC. TC should neve be less than FC.

Test FC. Add enough liquid chlorine to raise current FC to 16. Wait 2 hours, test, raise again to 16. Rinse and repeat.

Print out the SLAM process, read three times, and keep it with you, really helps. Link-->SLAM Process

 

[wireform]

So the TC of 80 is probably TA of 80. The CYA let's call it 40 so the slam level is 16. Well you overshot but nothing terrible at all. Keep the slam as close to 16 again and again till done.