Got my first algae...Uggh. Comments and questions

[Tallredrider]

I noticed that I have struggled to keep my FC levels up this summer, but did not think much of it, which was somewhat of a mistake. The water has remained crystal clear and everything else seemed to be in order. According to the calculations in Pool math (yay!), my SWG was running at a high enough level, but just didn't seem to keep up. I mostly left the levels lower than expected (1-3), but the pool does not see a lot of use, and the water remained clear.

After several vacations, a respiratory illness, and some pool neglect a bit of extra organic debris stayed in the pool for a while. Then suddenly, my FC was less than 1 yesterday morning. By last night, there was some green on the wall in several locations.

I should probably be happy that it has taken over a year for me to fail, I am proud of that.

My working theory is that I have had a low level algae infestation for a while, and it just finally blew up. It was thus consuming my chlorine as fast as I could make it and levels would not come up. Until the algae declared victory and moved on in. I failed by never checking a FC/CC ratio or overnight test. So rookie mistake number 1 was not asking questions why this year seemed different than last year.

So I started a SLAM process now. Added the right amount of chlorine according to Pool Math. Water has remained crystal clear and the green areas easily scrubbed off and have not returned as of yet.

With my CYA at 50, Pool math gives me a target of 20 FC. My Taylor test kit only goes to 5. How are ya'll measuring levels any higher than 5? My levels remained higher than 5 this morning, but I just added the chlorine last night. So I don't have a feel if the enemy surrendered quickly or not.

Thoughts on any of that would be appreciated.

Here is my test kit, note it only goes to 5 on the Chlorine side.

 

[PoolStored]

With a 2006C, you should have R0870 powder, R0871 reagent and reagent #3.

Use them to test FC and CC.

FAS-DPD Chlorine Test

The FAS-DPD chlorine test is used to find the level of Free Chlorine in the … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Newdude]

Rookie mistake #2 was using the block test. Besides being vague, it's also inaccurate.

I use mine as a 'it's SO yellow (or orange) that I won't be near minimum today' test.

But yeah. SWGs can keep algae at bay for a long time, which is both a blessing and a curse. Many new folks don't want to believe us when they've had clear water for a long time. Algae is microscopic, if you can see it, it's had many many growth cycles to overrun the pool.

You got this. Hollar if you need anything.

 

[dereksanders]

The sooner you accept what you have and deal with it the sooner you’ll have TFP clear water. It’s no joke.

My water was crystal clear but I failed the OCLT. I slammed and found the culprit causing the problem. Many times the culprit is innocuous. Algae is insidious and hides everywhere in plain sight. What you think is clean likely isn’t.

 

[Newdude]

+1. I just found my pool light full of crud. I run hot, rarely touching a single digit FC, but there's no circulation in there and it's had 2+ years to fester.

 

[dereksanders]

Someone asked me why I brush and vac a clean pool. That’s why. Sooner or later something is going to catch most everyone. Daily monitoring allows you to see it and react.

 

[Tallredrider]

Much to my chagrin, it appears that my test kit is not the 2006C, I have been 'pool stored' sort of. Mostly my own ignorance. I have the Leslie Pools knock off test kit, which does not have the more detailed chlorine level (FAS-DPD) test. It has everything else that is in a 2006 kit. So as of right now, I only have the block to help me with my chlorine levels. About all I can say right now, is that my levels have stayed higher than 5, so I guess that is a good sign. I will put my tail between my legs, order the right chlorine test and finish my SLAM according to the instructions. I think it is probably complete, but I can't do an OCLT as long as my levels are greater than 5, and it sounds like using the block is not that precise anyway.

I greatly appreciate all the comments and knowledge here.

 

[Newdude]

So it's a k2005 equivalent, which is a great kit, you just need to add the k1515 to it for specific FC results.