Help: algae bloom I can't control

[martink]

Instead of messing with GPM, power consumption, etc - run at a fixed RPM 24/7.

Clean your filters and note the clean pressure. When filter pressure rises 25% of clean pressure (use a high RPM to check this), clean the filters again. Rinse, repeat as necessary. During the SLAM Process, you may have to clean the filters several times. And clean them again once the SLAM is complete so you are starting normal poll ops with clean filters.

If cartridges are properly cleaned, they can last 7-8 years. 2 years is a pretty short life span.

I can track gpm and consumption from my phone. But I can't track pressure.

Also I noticed when I run at fixed speed and the filter get clogged. Gpm drops as the pump can't compensate for the higher flow restriction and consumption goes down as the pump is pushing lower GPM at higher head as the speed is constant (verified in the pump curve). I have monitors installed in the panels and can set up an alarm on my phone to alert me to the higher pump consumption so I can clean the filter. Doing this will help me not lose GPM when the filter get clogged and save on power consumption when filters are clean.

What is the proper way to clean the cartridges. Just hosing them?

 

[mknauss]

What is the proper way to clean the cartridges. Just hosing them?

Cartridge Filter Use and Care - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[proavia]

I can track gpm and consumption from my phone. But I can't track pressure.

Also I noticed when I run at fixed speed and the filter get clogged. Gpm drops as the pump can't compensate for the higher flow restriction and consumption goes down as the pump is pushing lower GPM at higher head as the speed is constant (verified in the pump curve). I have monitors installed in the panels and can set up an alarm on my phone to alert me to the higher pump consumption so I can clean the filter. Doing this will help me not lose GPM when the filter get clogged and save on power consumption when filters are clean.

For what purpose during a SLAM?
You're doing a SLAM and will be out by the pool often enough testing and adding chlorine. You can surely look at the filter pressure then too.
You need to know filter pressure at a given RPM ( in the 3000-3450 range - pick an RPM) to know when to clean the filter.

Follow the SLAM Process - To. The. Letter.
No shortcuts.
No extra magic potions.
After the SLAM is correctly completed, you can reset everything so you can track GPM and electric consumption to your liking.

Your phone can't track FC, empty skimmer baskets, check for equipment malfunctions or leaks or odd noises and a whole lot of other items a pool owner should be keeping track of.
But by going out to the pool in person for 5 minutes a day, you can check on all those items and more.

I think you are getting WAY OFF TRACK with your technology and with trying to rush the process. Use the KISS principle to get your pool clear.
Do you want to complete a SLAM or play around with your phone?
If it's the former - put down the phone, set the filter to run at a constant RPM and monitor the FC levels, add chlorine as needed, check the filter pressure and clean the cartridges when the pressure rises 25% above clean pressure - and get thru this SLAM.
If it's the latter, good luck and God speed.

 

[duraleigh]

+1 what Proavia said.

 

[martink]

Ok, will change it to constant speed control for the slam and monitor pressure.

Here are some pictures from this morning. I failed the FC overnight test today. At 12a I was at 9ppm, at 6am I was at 4ppm. I didn't notice any difference in water color or cloudiness compared to yesterday. If you do please let me know

 

[magiteck]

When I compare yesterday's picture to today's, it looks more blue (and less green) to me. Hang in there! You're at the part of the SLAM now that requires what we like to call POP -- Pool Owner Patience. Remember, it didn't get green overnight, and it's not going to get crystal clear overnight either. BUT, when you're done and have passed all SLAM criteria, you'll know you have truly eradicated the algae -- and as long as you maintain your FC levels moving forward, you'll never have to worry about it again.

Keep in mind that the more often you can bring the FC levels back up to SLAM level, the better. You're fighting a constant battle -- you've got algae that wants to multiply, and you're trying to kill it. The lower the FC gets, the more of a chance it has to try to multiply -- and then you've just got more to kill. Keeping the levels as close to SLAM as often as you can helps to ensure you're killing the algae and the remaining algae has no opportunity to multiply.

 

[RLP]

Make sure that you brush frequently. Breaks up the biofilm on the algae.

 

[Mdragger88]

Ok, will change it to constant speed control for the slam and monitor pressure.

Here are some pictures from this morning. I failed the FC overnight test today. At 12a I was at 9ppm, at 6am I was at 4ppm. I didn't notice any difference in water color or cloudiness compared to yesterday. If you do please let me know

Looks more blue to me!
About the clarity- try putting a pole brush in the water and take a pic each day to help see the difference. It’s changing but it’s hard to tell when you look out & just still see cloudiness.

 

[martink]

Progress pictures for today. I added the brush picture. Still using FC

I have a question that is not related directly to the SLAM. After buying 50 gallons of pool essentials chlorine 10% from Walmart ($5.67/gallon), I decided to look seriously for a local chlorine supplier. I was able to find a supplier that can sell directly to consumers. He sells 12.5% for $3.00/gallon.

The only issue I see is that I didn't see the 5 Gallon jugs he sells as practical, so I asked him to fill my 1gallon empty pool essential jugs for me which are not sealed.

Talking to other suppliers, they stated that chlorine is manufactured at 12.5% but it is highly unstable at these levels so it loses concentration during transport and it goes down to 10%.

So my question is since I am not using a perfectly sealed jug (I seal it best way I can and it does not allow sunlight) and chlorine does not stay at 12.5% for long time. Should I assume I have 10% concentration and dose it accordingly? Does anyone have experience with using 12.5% chlorine?

 

[mknauss]

Breakdown of Bleach Over Time by Storage Temp - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[an1vrsy]

I was able to find a supplier that can sell directly to consumers. He sells 12.5% for $3.00/gallon.

The only issue I see is that I didn't see the 5 Gallon jugs he sells as practical

From your profile under your member name, you’ve specifies your chlorinating method is liquid. $15 for 5 gallons sounds like a great price. What makes it impractical? Unless it is too far away to go pick it up.

 

[martink]

From your profile under your member name, you’ve specifies your chlorinating method is liquid. $15 for 5 gallons sounds like a great price. What makes it impractical? Unless it is too far away to go pick it up.

I was referring to the container. It is heavy and will make dosing it hard. The supplier is ok with filing up my 1 gallon pool essential empty jugs for a tap he has for $3.00/gallon, which is the same price of a 5 gallons jug. So I opted for that.

 

[RickRude]

That’s an amazing price for liquid chlorine. Nothing even close to that I’ve found in Dallas.

 

[martink]

Breakdown of Bleach Over Time by Storage Temp - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Do you usually adjust to this table, or trust what is written on the bottle?

 

[martink]

That’s an amazing price for liquid chlorine. Nothing even close to that I’ve found in Dallas.

Try small cleaning and pressure washing supply places. This supplier is in a storage unit at the back of a Plaza. His main customers are cleaning businesses, pressure washing businesses and pool owners. Talking to him he said that pool service companies don't prefer liquid chlorine as it is hard to carry around. They use granular.

 

[mknauss]

Do you usually adjust to this table, or trust what is written on the bottle?

Not sure what you mean? The bottle should tell you %sodium hypochlorite. Use that as the start for fresh stock. As you store it for longer periods, the chart will show what strength is most likely.

 

[Mdragger88]

Your gallon walmart jugs are sealed enough- the air isn’t the problem its the heat & uv. Store them in a cool dark place for it to stay potent the longest.
I like the 2.5 gallon “carboy” jugs - they are heavy too but I use a plastic gallon pitcher for my dosing until I have used about half the jug.

 

[martink]

Progress pictures for today. I don't notice any change in color or clarity. Color seems OK but cloudiness is out of control.

FC dropped from 6 to 4.5 ppm in 5 hours overnight, CC is at 0.5. I am starting to doubt the capability of the new cartridge filter media to take care of the cloudy water. I purchased them from Amazon, they claim to use trilobal filter media and has 4.5 rating.

PELLUCID PCC105-PAK4 Pool Filter... Amazon.com

Can it be a filter issue, or what I am seeing is normal with cartridge filters?

 

[an1vrsy]

Martin, You are not logging your test results in poolmath. We see your chlorine dosage amounts but no test results. Are you dosing to 12ppm? That is your SLAM level with CYA 30.

FC dropped from 6 to 4.5 ppm in 5 hours overnight

This post indicates you’re not following the SLAM appropriately. Dose to 12, test to make sure you achieved 12ppm. Follow the SLAM directions.

 

[martink]

Martin, You are not logging your test results in poolmath. We see your chlorine dosage amounts but no test results. Are you dosing to 12ppm? That is your SLAM level with CYA 30.

This post indicates you’re not following the SLAM appropriately. Dose to 12, test to make sure you achieved 12ppm. Follow the SLAM directions.

I dose to 12, but to do the overnight FC test, I was told to take a reading at night without dosing and check again in the morning, that is why it was 6. Let me know if it is wrong and what should I do, so far I have used around 45 gallon in the SLAM