It’s one that you either have to send to an expensive lab, buy an expensive (for a this one time use) meter, or get a pretty close level from the pool store for free. Most folks go with the pool store and for once we approve that. 
Help With SLAM Please!
- Thread starter huskerfan
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,992
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
No, that would be about the only thing time we would say go to the pool store for a free test. Home testing for metals generally is not cost effective.
Today and tomorrow i should be able to hit it almost every 3 hours during the work day. 0700, 1000, 1245, 1615. Was unable to brush it last night, but I will tonight and keep at it. I am targeting an FC of 16.
That will make a lot of headroom. Even if there’s more to be done after, that much less will need doing.
I have a sand filter, just changed the sand about a month ago, and then after the 3rd algae bloom, i deep cleaned the brand new sand by running the garden hose in it after taking the multiport valve off and got a lot of stuff out. I just looked up my most recent test results from the pool store and they did not test for any metals in the water, but they did show those as possible tests they can run. I will see how it looks in the morning after my tests and additions the rest of the day and report back.
You usually have to ask for the metals test. They will gladly tell you under the assumption that they can sell you all kinds of chemicals if it’s high. Whatever they recommend, tell them that as luck would have it, you have *exactly that much* of XYZ at home from the last time and you’ll be back after trying it.
*try to keep a straight face.
*laugh you keister off once you get to the car
*post up the results and we’ll help hatch a realistic plan if need be.
*try to keep a straight face.
*laugh you keister off once you get to the car
*post up the results and we’ll help hatch a realistic plan if need be.
- May 3, 2014
- 58,754
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
No. Pool stores will test for metals. The test kits are somewhat expensive.
Results since 1230 yesterday:
8/25/21 - 1615 - FC: 12 - Added 42 oz 12.5% shock
8/25/21 - 1830 - FC: 14 - CYA: 40 - Added 42 oz 12.5% shock
8/25/21 - 2030 - FC: 16
8/25/21 - 2230 - FC: 13 - Added 42 oz 12.5% shock
8/26/21 - 0700 - FC: 11 - Added 72 oz 12.5% shock
Scrubbed the pool last night as well, but still green and cloudy this morning. Hoping another day of me hitting it full time every 2-3 hours will make a lot of headway.
8/25/21 - 1615 - FC: 12 - Added 42 oz 12.5% shock
8/25/21 - 1830 - FC: 14 - CYA: 40 - Added 42 oz 12.5% shock
8/25/21 - 2030 - FC: 16
8/25/21 - 2230 - FC: 13 - Added 42 oz 12.5% shock
8/26/21 - 0700 - FC: 11 - Added 72 oz 12.5% shock
Scrubbed the pool last night as well, but still green and cloudy this morning. Hoping another day of me hitting it full time every 2-3 hours will make a lot of headway.
Attachments
It most certainly will. Well DONE so far. If the results tomorrow or the next day aren’t entirely visible it means that the Algae was really really bad, *not* that you could have done more or the process needs to be changed.
Stay the course, You got this !!
Well, still green this morning. It appears that the FC is holding at slam level more easily though.
8/26/21 - 1000 - FC: 17
8/26/21 - 1245 - FC: 14 - Added 32 oz 12.5% shock
8/26/21 - 1615 - FC: 12 - Added 64 oz 12.5% shock
8/27/21 - 0030 - FC: 15
8/27/21 - 0700 - FC: 13 - Added 42 oz 12.5% shock
8/26/21 - 1000 - FC: 17
8/26/21 - 1245 - FC: 14 - Added 32 oz 12.5% shock
8/26/21 - 1615 - FC: 12 - Added 64 oz 12.5% shock
8/27/21 - 0030 - FC: 15
8/27/21 - 0700 - FC: 13 - Added 42 oz 12.5% shock
Attachments
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,992
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Did you ever get a chance to check for iron/copper at the local store?
No, I did not. Was going to wait until the end of the week after slamming all week to see if it got any better.
8/27/21 - 1000 - FC: 13 - Added 64 oz 12.5% shock
8/27/21 - 1200 - FC: 16 - Added 64 oz 12.5% shock
Am I still just keeping at this guys? Pool still looks green and cloudy. Maybe I just need to be patient? I know my last reading over lunch was at target shock value, but I won't be home until 1630, so I added more shock to hopefully bump it up and then not have it drift back down below 16.
8/27/21 - 1200 - FC: 16 - Added 64 oz 12.5% shock
Am I still just keeping at this guys? Pool still looks green and cloudy. Maybe I just need to be patient? I know my last reading over lunch was at target shock value, but I won't be home until 1630, so I added more shock to hopefully bump it up and then not have it drift back down below 16.
- May 3, 2014
- 58,754
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Cloudy is dead algae. Your sand filter is slow on that.
The green, more and more appears to be metals. Need to get a test on that.
Ok I will take a sample in to get tested for metals after work today. I am torn because I am supposed to head 2 hours back to my parents place for my dad's 60th birthday this weekend, but I don't know what to do about the pool. I could have one of my roommates test and add shock as needed every 3 hours this weekend, but then they would have to vacuum the dead algae if it clears up while I am gone, right?
- May 3, 2014
- 58,754
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
That can wait. Dead algae is dead. It will not yield to a clear pool, but as soon as you can vac it up, you should be able to move to completion.
Does your home have iron staining problems on plumbing fixtures? Do you have a whole house water softener? Have you every used copper containing algaecide or other products?
No, no iron staining problems on plumbing fixtures, and no water softener. I have used Bioguard Banish, Bioguard Back Up 2, and Bioguard Power Floc. I know I used the Banish this summer and that has copper in it, so maybe that's my issue?
- May 3, 2014
- 58,754
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
How much of the copper products did you use? If the green is from copper, you need to drain the bulk of the pool water.