Help: algae bloom I can't control

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proavia said:
That is a K-2006 - not a K-2006C


You can always order the SmartStir or SpeedStir at a later date. Once you have one, you won't know how you ever did without one.

Add 5ppm liquid chlorine DAILY while waiting for the test kit to arrive.
Let us know when you get your kit and we'll be here to help.
Click to expand...
I finally have the kits and did my first round of testing

FC 0.5
CC 1.0
pH 8.2
TA 140
CH 600-625
CYA 20

For the FC and CC testing. The solution was clear after one drop, but it turns back to pink if I left it for few seconds. But it clears with one drop every time. Not sure if that is correct or not

For the CYA, I was still able to see the black dot even when it is completely full so I assumed it is 20 as I have been using tabs for over a year and I only partially drained it a week ago
 
OK. You should now make some adjustments to begin the SLAM.

1. Lower your pH into the mid 7's using muriatic acid.

2. Your CYA test is puzzling but assuming it is correct, your CYA is really Zero. Add enough to get to 30 ppm. You won't test it again until the SLAM is finished.

Re-read the SLAM process before you start. It is really a PROCESS and not a one time dose of chemistry.

3. Start your SLAM by adding enough liquid FC to get to 12-14 ppm. Do not "try" other additives. Follow the SLAM process.

4. Continue to add FC 2-3 times daily (or more, if you can) bring the FC back to 12-14 ppm each time

5. Run your pump 24/7, brush at least every day or two, clean the filter when psi goes above 25% of normal.

6. Keep adding chlorine as needed. Test FC and CC and report back tomorrow.
 
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duraleigh said:
OK. You should now make some adjustments to begin the SLAM.

1. Lower your pH into the mid 7's using muriatic acid.

2. Your CYA test is puzzling but assuming it is correct, your CYA is really Zero. Add enough to get to 30 ppm. You won't test it again until the SLAM is finished.

Re-read the SLAM process before you start. It is really a PROCESS and not a one time dose of chemistry.

3. Start your SLAM by adding enough liquid FC to get to 12-14 ppm. Do not "try" other additives. Follow the SLAM process.

4. Continue to add FC 2-3 times daily (or more, if you can) bring the FC back to 12-144 ppm each time

5. Run your pump 24/7, brush at least every day or two, clean the filter when psi goes above 25% of normal.

6. Keep adding chlorine as needed. Test FC and CC and report back tomorrow.
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I will lower PH, but I have some concerns adjusting the CYA. Assuming CYA is 0. Can I still SLAM the pool without raising it?
 
martink said:
Assuming CYA is 0. Can I still SLAM the pool without raising it?
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Sure. Just test the FC every 30-45 minutes during the day and replenish. The UV from the sun is eating the FC up very quickly when the sun is on the pool surface. Best is to add 30 ppm CYA worth of stabilizer and the FC will not get consumed so quickly by the UV from the sun.
 
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mknauss said:
Sure. Just test the FC every 30-45 minutes during the day and replenish. The UV from the sun is eating the FC up very quickly when the sun is on the pool surface. Best is to add 30 ppm CYA worth of stabilizer and the FC will not get consumed so quickly by the UV from the sun.
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Thanks for following up. I am adjusting PH now. Should I hold off on starting chlorine till midnight so the sun does not eat it up.

Also any recommended CYA product, is clorox stabilizer good?
 
Thats the only Clorox pool chemical that is ok to use.
The longer you wait to SLAM, the longer the process will take.
 
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You can add chlorine now then
Get some stabilizer in today to reach 30ppm (use the sock method). The clorox brand is fine.
Immediately begin slam using that calculated cya value
FC/CYA Levels.
Use
PoolMath to calculate amounts.
I wouldn’t wait until midnight - get some cya in today.
 
Let's assume your CYA is 20.
  • Add enough granular stabilizer (via the sock method) to add 20ppm CYA.
  • That should provide a total CYA of 40.
  • SLAM level FC for CYA 40 is 16ppm.
  • Once the CYA is in the sock, in the water, consider your CYA is 40ppm.
  • Add enough liquid chlorine to get FC up to 16ppm - use PoolMath to compute amount to add.
  • Every few hours, squeeze the sock with stabilizer in it to help dissolve the CYA. This should take 2-3 rounds of squeezing the sock.
  • Every few hours, test FC and add back to 16.
  • 24 hours or so after all the stabilizer is dissolved out of the sock, retest the CYA.
  • Continue to dose liquid chlorine to attain the FC level required of the CYA level tested in step directly above.
  • Be sure to brush entire pool at least twice daily. Clean behind any lights, skimmer weir doors, etc. Remove amd clean any ladders.
Your pool didn't get into its present condition in a day or two. It won't totally clear in that time either.
Stay the course and follow the SLAM Process to the letter. No shortcuts.
 
Mdragger88 said:
You can add chlorine now then
Get some stabilizer in today to reach 30ppm (use the sock method). The clorox brand is fine.
Immediately begin slam using that calculated cya value
FC/CYA Levels.
Use
PoolMath to calculate amounts.
I wouldn’t wait until midnight - get some cya in today.
Click to expand...
I need some input on the PH, I added 48 oz of 31.45 muratuc acid, circulated for 2 hours. When I checked PH. It is still 8-8.2. Did not move a bit. I added 26 oz more for a total of 74 oz today. Will recheck in 2 hours before I add chlorine. Am I doing something wrong?
 

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duraleigh said:
Nope! Your pH was simply beyond the top limit of the test. Continue to add.......26 oz increments is good..........until it comes down in the 7's

When it does, post both your pH and TA so we can see where you are.
Click to expand...
Thanks will do. Once I add the initial dose of chlorine, how long do I wait till the first FC test?
Any recommended GPM for the pump? It is currently running at 45 gpm which is around 2050 rpm?
The sock method was mentioned multiple time for adding CYA. Is it using a skimmer sock to add CYA in the skimmer?

I know I am asking lots of questions but I just had the pool for a year now and it is my first major algae issue that I had. Last summer I had it under control.
 
Put the cya in a regular athletic sock, and hang it in front of a return. Use the pool pole.

Alternatively, put the sock in the skimmer basket, but be sure to run the pump as long as it is in there.

Squeeze it when the cya softens up.
 
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Fc & ma additions can be checked after 30 minutes or so. Your ph was likely higher than 8.2 or did come down some but rose again before you checked it 2 hours later or possibly a combo of both. As Duraleigh said dose again with 8.2 as your “current”& mid 7’s as your “target” in poolmath & check it sooner. Repeat until you’re mid 7’s.
Sock 🧦 method for cya 👇
IMG_6709.jpegIMG_6708.jpeg
 
What is the expiration date on the pH reagent?
What is the reagent number for the pH? R-0004 or R-0014?

How many drops of reagent are you adding?

Test the pH of your tap water and report it here.
 
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Keep adding until you get into test range.

You are using the right chemistry and the right test. YOu have no choice but to continue to add muriatic.

Sometimes folks think there is a residual with muriatic..........there is not. You'll be able to hop in the pool as soon as you get pH in the 7's

Keep the faith. :) :)
 
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