Constant Battle-Never Goes Away

[Linushut]

Good Morning. I fought this some last year but it has gotten worse this year. Below is a set of my current numbers. I have kept the numbers below "about" the same, typically the only thing that has fluctuated since opening and balancing is the FC and CC (and CYA from all of the vacuuming to waste, so I have replaced as needed). Losing on average of 3-5 ppm per day and 1.5-3 at night. All other numbers has stayed the same since opening in May (I have let it dip below 10 ppm a few times to ensure I got an accurate PH reading). I brush everyday, vacuum to waste almost daily and still right back in the same spots, sometimes worse and sometimes in other spots. Between the bleach and the water replacement it's getting expensive quick. When the spots are swept they poof up. Otherwise the water is clear and has not been cloudy, even after sweeping the spots. I have inserted some photos below. One shows the problem and the others mark the areas in the pool where the spots keep coming back. The middle arrow indicates that there are various spots that show up in the crease where the floor meets the wall. The problem picture is directly on the lip of the transition from the shallow to deep end. The arrow to right is to indicate the wall and the drain area. Can anyone shed some light on what I am dealing with?
FC-16
CC-2.5
PH-7.6
TA-110
CYA-30
CH-250

 

[Texas Splash]

Some things that come to mind when we see suspected matter floating/settling in the water, coupled with an excessive FC use is:
- Any potential hiding spots for stagnant water/algae? Even though it's hard to tell, your pool appears to have fiberglass steps. I doubt that water can get in/behind them otherwise you would have a leak, but if somehow your pool is sealed behind and does allow water back there, I thought I'd mention it. In addition, I'm guessing you have a pool light. Have you removed it, thoroughly cleaned inside the niche and left it exposed for the elevated chlorine to penetrate all areas?
- When was the last time you did a deep clean of the sand? If not for a season or two, I would. Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter
- Do you have a main drain? If so, have you taken a look to see if anything is stuck under the cover?
- Circulation. Sometimes this can be a concern, but you have an wide-open pool with no quirky coves and such, so water should be able to move freely in the large oval. Plus you already noted daily brushing and movement in those areas, so I think we can rule that out.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I'm looking at your picture for any lights that may have algae behind them?

I only see one return on the left of the picture. Where else do you have returns?? I'm wondering about circulation problems??

Only one skimmer or is a second out of picture view?

Where are you buying your bleach? What %? You're using PoolMath to tell you how much to add, right? Do you ever test after adding it to check that you've met your goal??

Just some thoughts...

Maddie

 

[Linushut]

Thanks for the reply. I have marked the answers below. I appreciate your thoughts on this. I just can't wrap my head around it not being green or yellow or cloudy.....it's just there. Until I sweep or vacuum. Then it's there again.
Some things that come to mind when we see suspected matter floating/settling in the water, coupled with an excessive FC use is:
- Any potential hiding spots for stagnant water/algae? None. There is no ladder and I have checked behind all the crevices I can find.
Even though it's hard to tell, your pool appears to have fiberglass steps. I doubt that water can get in/behind them otherwise you would have a leak, but if somehow your pool is sealed behind and does allow water back there, I thought I'd mention it- You are corect, they are fiberglass but it is sealed.
In addition, I'm guessing you have a pool light. Have you removed it, thoroughly cleaned inside the niche and left it exposed for the elevated chlorine to penetrate all areas?- Yes, I have a light it is around the right arrow. The bulb went out early in the season so I took the opportunity to scrub and let it "seep" in the chlorinated water for a bit.
- When was the last time you did a deep clean of the sand? If not for a season or two, I would. Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter- This is a sticking point. It needs to be done- hopefully this will be the ticket. It's the only other thing I can think of.
- Do you have a main drain? If so, have you taken a look to see if anything is stuck under the cover?- I do, in the floor of the deep in around the right most arrow. That has been cleaned thoroughly as well.
- Circulation. Sometimes this can be a concern, but you have an wide-open pool with no quirky coves and such, so water should be able to move freely in the large oval. Plus you already noted daily brushing and movement in those areas, so I think we can rule that out.- Geesh, the brushing man. I feel that is all I ever do with this thing. If the person who put this in would have thought to put at least one more jet in there, ya know. Anyway, I do what I can but the circulation is poor which is why I have to brush constantly.

 

[Linushut]

Thanks Maddie for the input. I have labeled the answers to your questions below.
I'm looking at your picture for any lights that may have algae behind them? Yes, I have a light it is around the right arrow. The bulb went out early in the season so I took the opportunity to scrub and let it "seep" in the chlorinated water for a bit.
I only see one return on the left of the picture. Where else do you have returns?? I'm wondering about circulation problems??- Only two jets, one that you see and one is right below me on the stairs. None in the deep end. Not sure how much sense that makes but...it is what it is I guess.

Only one skimmer or is a second out of picture view?- Just one skimmer, again let's place that bad boy as far away from a jet as possible, right?! I think they only 3/4 thought this construction through.

Where are you buying your bleach? What %? You're using PoolMath to tell you how much to add, right? Do you ever test after adding it to check that you've met your goal?? Usually Walmart. 10% when they have it. If not available I just get the 5.7% stuff on the laundry aisle and use it but double. I was using pool math in the beginning but I know that if I add one jug of 10% the FC will go up somewhere around 5.5 to 6 ppm. Two jugs of the 5.7% will raise it in the same neighborhood. Honestly, I have just kept it above what the calculator has told me what the slam level is, which is 12 (and held at mustard shock for awhile). You can kind of tell in the photo in the shallow end how the liner is beginning to fade because of the high level of chlorine maintained. Yes I check usually about 2-3 hours after addition (this is about the max mixing time for me I have found) to ensure that it has at least went up as far as it should for the addition I made.

Just some thoughts...I appreciate them. Thank you for stopping by.

- - - Updated - - -

For the record, not sure that picture does this justice on the color. It is brown brown. Not yellow brown or orange brown but brown brown. Not sure if that helps in identifying this stuff but....