First Test - Green Algae in Pool

[david_]

First time pool owner, just got my TF-100 kit. Ran all the tests on my Pebbletec pool (filled with well water) with green algae around.

PH 7.8 / Chlorine 0
Chlorine drop test - never turned pink.
Calcium - 375
Total Alkalinity - 70
CYA - 30

Should I drop my pH to 7.2 by adding 56oz (1 qt, 3 cups) and start slamming?

 

[IceShadow]

First time pool owner, just got my TF-100 kit. Ran all the tests on my Pebbletec pool (filled with well water) with green algae around.

PH 7.8 / Chlorine 0
Chlorine drop test - never turned pink.
Calcium - 375
Total Alkalinity - 70
CYA - 30

Should I drop my pH to 7.2 by adding 56oz (1 qt, 3 cups) and start slamming?

You got it. Adjust pH, then go to town with the chlorine. Test as often as you can (up to once an hour) and add more FC to get back to SLAM level of 12ppm FC. Brush and vacuum. What type of filter do you have? We can get more specific with advice if you can fill out your signature - see mine for a template. (If you are on a mobile device, go sideways with the phone to see signatures.)

 

[david_]

It's a 36" DE filter that has new screens and was backwashed a few days ago with the help of my father in law. It's beige and has a Hayward clamp, so probably Hayward.

 

[IceShadow]

OK - you will probably need to clean that out pretty often. Watch the pressure - when it goes 25% over, backwash and recharge, though I've heard that it may be best to just open and clean out the filter when it fills up during a SLAM, because it'll catch that dead algae fast.

 

[IceShadow]

Also, please feel free to share pictures. No one here will blink twice at seeing photos of a green pool, I promise, and we do love seeing the progress of a green to clean pool as you go.

 

[david_]

Got the pH down to 7.2. Nice confidence boost on my pool size estimate.

@ctrav hello from a fellow TLFer! Just bought a place in Double Oak. The yard is a mess. I need to start a journal with this one. Going from 10k to 35k..

 

[IceShadow]

Time to dose that chlorine and keep it up

 

[david_]

Started slam this morning. Added 3.75 gallons, brushed the whole pool, backwashed and refilled with 7lbs of DE. Going to check every couple hours.

 

[david_]

Overnight I only lost .5ppm, but there was still green when I brushed this AM so I'm doing at least another day of SLAM. That said, seeing big improvement!

 

[duraleigh]

Finishing the SLAM requires three things...

A. Pool water should be crystal clear with no sign of algae anywhere
B. CC's test result should be .5 ppm or less
C. You should not lose more than 1 ppm FC overnight.

Keep SLAMing but you are getting there!

 

[david_]

I started Saturday morning and I think I'll be done tomorrow AM. 4 days, no algae left.

I even cleaned skimmers and behind lights. Curious how long it'll take to settle into my recommended range of 2-6 with 30 CYA.

Other projects:

• I get an LED bulb tomorrow and my pool light should be fixed too (after I replaced a bad switch and many other electrical issues around the pump)!
• I have some weir doors on the way
• We had a pool fence installed (2yr old and 5 yr old)

 

[david_]

Going to bump my CYA 10 ppm. 2.5lbs split between 2 socks to get me over 30ppm (last test was 20ppm) Will reassess from there.