Hello all! Is constant brushing normal? I have to brush my pool daily to prevent any algae growth. If I go two days with light it, I gets light algea growth on all walls and floor. Illhave to shock, then brush, and then I see a bunch of dead algae on the bottom the next day. If I let it go too long again, I rinse and repeat. I will say that I've yet to get my own pool testing kit and am still relying Leslie's. All my levels are fine (according to them), except FC. That's high because I happened to shock my pool a couple hours before it was tested. This makes me nervous for any vacations where I won't be home.
Constant brushing
- Thread starter j.howell616
- Start date
J.howell:
Welcome to TFP and please add your signature. We need to know a lot more about your pool and its construction. You will hear this time after time, that here at TFP, we solely rely on our own testing. You can not trust pool store testing. The recommended kits usually pay for themselves just by not wasting time, gas and the extra expense of chemicals.
When I hear that a person has to brush daily to prevent algae, this usually leads to lack of circulation, which includes above ground pools or poorly designed pools, which include limited returns, etc. The pump and filter can also be a culprit, but please tell us exactly what you have, and how you take care of your pool. The more information you provide, the better. Thank you.
Welcome to TFP and please add your signature. We need to know a lot more about your pool and its construction. You will hear this time after time, that here at TFP, we solely rely on our own testing. You can not trust pool store testing. The recommended kits usually pay for themselves just by not wasting time, gas and the extra expense of chemicals.
When I hear that a person has to brush daily to prevent algae, this usually leads to lack of circulation, which includes above ground pools or poorly designed pools, which include limited returns, etc. The pump and filter can also be a culprit, but please tell us exactly what you have, and how you take care of your pool. The more information you provide, the better. Thank you.
J,
The answer is really pretty simple... you are just not keeping your FC high enough in relation to your CYA level. If you do that, you just will never get algae, and you can quit dumping pool store shock into your pool on a weekly basis..
See this chart.... [FC/CYA][/FC/CYA]
My guess is your CYA is off the charts and your FC is almost zero.
If you really want to take care of your own pool, you need the right tools.
Check out our pool school and then let us know if you want to come over to the TFP process... Pool School - Pool School
Thanks for posting,
Jim R.
The answer is really pretty simple... you are just not keeping your FC high enough in relation to your CYA level. If you do that, you just will never get algae, and you can quit dumping pool store shock into your pool on a weekly basis..
See this chart.... [FC/CYA][/FC/CYA]
My guess is your CYA is off the charts and your FC is almost zero.
If you really want to take care of your own pool, you need the right tools.
Check out our pool school and then let us know if you want to come over to the TFP process... Pool School - Pool School
Thanks for posting,
Jim R.
Thank you. I've updated my signature.- - - Updated - - -
CYA is 50, FC is probably 9-10 right now so we I shocked it yesterday. Of course, this is on Leslie's testing, and late last week.
- - - Updated - - -
I also want to use the BBB method, I just still have so much powder shock that I'd rather use that up
- May 3, 2014
- 62,694
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Sadly, Pool Store testing is not regarded on TFP as accurate, repeatable, or reliable. So your test results might be OK, or more likely, not.
You should get yourself a proper test kit and manage your water chemistry without going to the Pool store. I use the TF100 from TFTestkits.net. Get the SpeedStir too, you will love it.
Good luck.
You should get yourself a proper test kit and manage your water chemistry without going to the Pool store. I use the TF100 from TFTestkits.net. Get the SpeedStir too, you will love it.
Good luck.
j,
The problem with shocking is that it gives you a false sense of security... if you let your FC fall too low and you get algae, pool store shock is not normally enough to completely kill it, just stunt its growth for a while. Making you think you have fixed the problem. In truth, your FC has to be pretty high for an extended period of time to actually kill algae... (as noted in the CYA/FC chart above...)
To kill algae we do what is called a SLAM.. It is a process and not a single event... See this... SLAM Process
You are really in a pretty good position to convert to the TFP process if your CYA is only 50...
Thanks for posting,
Jim R.
The problem with shocking is that it gives you a false sense of security... if you let your FC fall too low and you get algae, pool store shock is not normally enough to completely kill it, just stunt its growth for a while. Making you think you have fixed the problem. In truth, your FC has to be pretty high for an extended period of time to actually kill algae... (as noted in the CYA/FC chart above...)
To kill algae we do what is called a SLAM.. It is a process and not a single event... See this... SLAM Process
You are really in a pretty good position to convert to the TFP process if your CYA is only 50...
Thanks for posting,
Jim R.
With a CYA of 50ppm which mine is I always keep my FC at 9-10ppm target and really never go below 6ppm. I'm lazy and haven't brushed my pool all summer with no signs of any algae. My Polaris's wip tail scrubber seems to work nicely scrubbing the pool walls.
I think my issue is that I didn't realize I've had to keep my FC that high in correlation to my CYA. I figured 10PPM was just shock level. And yes I've read the abc chemistry here, just never connected the dots. My issue, listening to the pool store. I really do need to get my own kit! Right now I have about 50lbs of 70% Calcium Hypochlorite to burn through to maintain chlorine level. Or do you recommend just ditching that and using household bleach? To me, chlorine is chlorine, and I already have 50lbs.
We can not rely on Leslie's testing, but whether accurate or not, you should invest in a quality test kit. What about skimmers, main drains, and returns (how many do you have?) How often do you brush the floors and walls and how many hours is your pump running?
It appears your sand filter is sized properly including the pump. What about backwashing? Too much backwashing is also not a good idea. Only perform this function when the pressure rises 25%-30% over normal starting pressure.
It appears your sand filter is sized properly including the pump. What about backwashing? Too much backwashing is also not a good idea. Only perform this function when the pressure rises 25%-30% over normal starting pressure.
I do think I backwash too often. Normal pressure is 15psi. I think I backwash around 20. I try to brush daily. Pump has been running 24/7 for the last week. It runs more often than not. 1 skimmer and 1 main drain, but no selector switch when it comes to the pump. I also have 2 returns.
I'm starting to see the flaws in my ways!!!! Using the pool calculator, I realized that what I thought was shock level, was just barley over normal maintenance level. I didn't have nearly enough to have what's considered a shock. Shock for me is 20 ppm
50lbs of that Cal-Hypo will add about 150ppm of CH to your pool, or about 30ppm per 10lbs.
Once you have a reliable CH measurement you will be able to make that decision.
Once you have a reliable CH measurement you will be able to make that decision.
Look at these return jets for your pool. Your TA should be on the low side as it may raise PH. Not sure until you go through the course. If your TA is 110, you may have rising. These help out with circulation of chemicals.
ROTATING HEADS FOR A SWIMMING POOL
https://www.amazon.com/Circulator-10022a-Automatic-Rotating-Swimming/dp/B007Z32UOY
The Circulator Rotating Water Jets for Swimming Pools - YouTube