I have a 13 year old pool that I have had for three years. This year I am getting daily dirt buildup (never had it before) in one area of the pool. I have an in-pool cleaning system that may be broken, or is it possible that there is a break in my return flow? Is there an easy way to check both? Thoughts?
Fine dirt in pool
- Thread starter johnhugo
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 58,369
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Can you post a full set of test results?
Does the dirt brush easily? Or does it 'poof' away when you try to brush it?
Does the dirt brush easily? Or does it 'poof' away when you try to brush it?
It mostly poofs away as it is very fine. It brushes very easy.
Ph 7.8
FCl 2-4ppm
NACL 3700
CYA 70 (I know FCL could be a bit higher)
Ca 1200 (I live in Az!)
Alk 90
Borate 40
- May 3, 2014
- 58,369
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
You likely have algae. How are you testing?
If CH is 1200, it is time to replace your water.
If CH is 1200, it is time to replace your water.
I am not testing for algae. How do I do that?
I can replace the water, but it does not matter where I live. I have no issues with Ca. I scrape the tiles once a year and all the equipment is fine. I will lower the pH a bit when I start swimming.
Thanks.
I can replace the water, but it does not matter where I live. I have no issues with Ca. I scrape the tiles once a year and all the equipment is fine. I will lower the pH a bit when I start swimming.
Thanks.
- May 3, 2014
- 58,369
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
To check for algae - do a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. You need a FAS-DPD FC test kit to do it.
Great if you are good with calcium scale. No problems with that then.
Great if you are good with calcium scale. No problems with that then.
- May 3, 2014
- 58,369
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
- May 3, 2014
- 58,369
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
If you are passing OCLT and you are convinced the material is dirt, then go to FC target level for maintenance based on your CYA. Vac up the material when it accumulates.
Problem is the dirt accumulates every day. For the last two years it has not accumulated at all. Something is obviously wrong. Any ideas what to check?
- May 3, 2014
- 58,369
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Compromised filter cartridge? Run off into pool from sprinklers?
Or algae. But you are sure that is not the case.
Or algae. But you are sure that is not the case.
I was hoping it was algae as that is the easiest fix! I am going to see if I can scrape some up and look at it with a microscope. I am heating the pool now so it is warm enough for me to get into it. I am now looking at the in-floor cleaning system as that seems like the next logical cause. I do not know anything about it, so that is another learning curve. I cleaned the cartridge filters a month ago and they looked good. They are about 2 years old so it is getting time to replace them. There is no runoff into the pool. I will let you know what I find out. I really appreciate your help.
- May 3, 2014
- 58,369
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
My cartridges are 5 years old and just fine. You should not have to replace them at 2 years.
If you can get some of it smear it on a paper towel. It may show some green if algae.
Your CYA is pretty high for a non-SWCG pool. So be aware you need to run much higher FC levels. See FC/CYA Levels
If you can get some of it smear it on a paper towel. It may show some green if algae.
Your CYA is pretty high for a non-SWCG pool. So be aware you need to run much higher FC levels. See FC/CYA Levels
When I inherited the pool about 2 years ago the CYA was well above 300! It is finally down to where it needs to be without adding any. It is a SWGC pool. The Cl was well above 50 and it took 6 months with everything off to get it lowered. The rest of the chemistry was equally bad. Following the advice on this forum I now have everything stable and perfect. I just turned up the salt cell (cycle time) and I will raise the Cl to 5. I called paramount and I will be adjusting my in-floor cleaning system as soon as the pool gets warm.
- May 3, 2014
- 58,369
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I just replaced one of the valves in my in-floor cleaning system. Hopefully that will do the trick. I will let you know in a couple of days if that solves it.