I have my pool 15 years and never had a problem getting it to clear up. I shocked it and it was still cloudy. Looks like dead alge so I hand vacuumed it. It is still cloudy. I have attached my pool readings from the pool store. They say just keep hand vacuuming. It has been a week of brushing and vacuuming. Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.
HELP!!!
- Thread starter lborries
- Start date
- Jul 17, 2019
- 4,076
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Welcome. This site has a ton of information, and it will be much different than what you hear from a pool store. The general premise of TFP is:
1. Test your own water with a quality test kit. They are expensive, but pool store testing can be inconsistent, inaccurate, and they try to sell you lots of other stuff while you are in there.
2. Keep your FC (Free Chlorine) at the correct level based on your CYA level (Cyanuric Acid/Stabilizer)
As for what you should do, here would be my recommended steps:
1. Order a good test kit if you do not already have a good one. The TF-100 is the best.
2. Add chlorine, as this is what will kill your algae. Your FC on your pool store test is 1.9. Based on your CYA level of 50 (47 rounded up), the FC should be much higher based on the chart. Chlorine / CYA Chart - Trouble Free Pool
3. I see you have a salt water pool. Is your SWCG working properly? If so it needs to be bumped up if you pool is cloudy. Usually you want to add liquid chlorine in step 2, then have your SWCG maintain that level.
4. After you get your test kit, post a full set of results. Also update your signature so we know your pool size, filter type, etc.
5. Since you mention cloudy water, I would be prepared to SLAM your pool to kill any algae. While you wait up on your test kit, read up on the SLAM process and determine your best source for the incremental chlorine (Walmart Pool Essentials liquid chlorine is a good one).
1. Test your own water with a quality test kit. They are expensive, but pool store testing can be inconsistent, inaccurate, and they try to sell you lots of other stuff while you are in there.
2. Keep your FC (Free Chlorine) at the correct level based on your CYA level (Cyanuric Acid/Stabilizer)
As for what you should do, here would be my recommended steps:
1. Order a good test kit if you do not already have a good one. The TF-100 is the best.
2. Add chlorine, as this is what will kill your algae. Your FC on your pool store test is 1.9. Based on your CYA level of 50 (47 rounded up), the FC should be much higher based on the chart. Chlorine / CYA Chart - Trouble Free Pool
3. I see you have a salt water pool. Is your SWCG working properly? If so it needs to be bumped up if you pool is cloudy. Usually you want to add liquid chlorine in step 2, then have your SWCG maintain that level.
4. After you get your test kit, post a full set of results. Also update your signature so we know your pool size, filter type, etc.
5. Since you mention cloudy water, I would be prepared to SLAM your pool to kill any algae. While you wait up on your test kit, read up on the SLAM process and determine your best source for the incremental chlorine (Walmart Pool Essentials liquid chlorine is a good one).
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,030
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome! 
I know it's a lot of info to process at once, and sometimes a bit of a shock to some, but JJ is right. Cu the cord and test you own water. You'll be much happier. Great to have you with us.
I know it's a lot of info to process at once, and sometimes a bit of a shock to some, but JJ is right. Cu the cord and test you own water. You'll be much happier. Great to have you with us.I have taken your advice and purchased my TF-100 test kit. While waiting on it the algae was coming back so yesterday morning I put in some HTH Algae (2gals). Well guess what came yesterday evening - my test kit! So here are my results:
Free Chlorine - 10.5
Combined Chlorine - 0
Total Chlorine - 10.5
Calcium -225 ppm
Total Alkalinity- 130
CYA - 50
Salt Level - 3300
Vinyl Liner 43,000 gals
This is what my pool looks like this morning after putting the HTH Algae in it yesterday morning
That's pretty much ALL dead algae but the greenish tint indicates some live algae is mixed in it, too.
Manually vacuum as much as you can into your filter.....you'll have to backwash every time your psi rises 25%. If your water is cheap, you can vacuum to waste.
You should bring your FC up to 20 ppm ,keep it there, and start the SLAM process
Please read "The "ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry" up in Pool School and then start the SLAM.
Manually vacuum as much as you can into your filter.....you'll have to backwash every time your psi rises 25%. If your water is cheap, you can vacuum to waste.
You should bring your FC up to 20 ppm ,keep it there, and start the SLAM process
Please read "The "ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry" up in Pool School and then start the SLAM.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,030
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Not it's time to follow the SLAM Process. You didn't post your pH, but make sure it's adjusted to about 7.2 first. With a CYA of 50, increase the FC to "20" as noted on the FC/CYA Levels. That's your SLAM level. Don't worry about any other testing right now. Follow ALL the notes on the SLAM page. It works!
FYI - No more algaecides! 2 gallons? Oh boy. I hope it doesn't' cause more problems later. Just remember, algaecides do nothing to kill or remove algae. Most of them add copper to the water which can cause staining later. Regular bleach is what you need. Maintain that FC of 20 and keep us posted.
FYI - No more algaecides! 2 gallons? Oh boy. I hope it doesn't' cause more problems later. Just remember, algaecides do nothing to kill or remove algae. Most of them add copper to the water which can cause staining later. Regular bleach is what you need. Maintain that FC of 20 and keep us posted.
- Jul 17, 2019
- 4,076
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Congrats on the test kit.
Replying to my own post:
Step 1 - Check, good job!
Step 2 - Check, you added chlorine to get it to 10 from <2.
Step 3 - Did you check on your SWCG and is this working?
Step 4 - Check, good job, you are just missing the pH test.
Step 5 - You have algae and now need to SLAM. Hopefully you read up on the process. Do you have a good source for liquid chlorine for the SLAM? Get your pH to 7.2, raise your FC to 20 and dont stop until clear and you pass the criteria to stop SLAM, which should be several days away.
PS - resist the urge to any more algecide, clarifyer, floculant, blue stuff, etc.
Replying to my own post:
Step 1 - Check, good job!
Step 2 - Check, you added chlorine to get it to 10 from <2.
Step 3 - Did you check on your SWCG and is this working?
Step 4 - Check, good job, you are just missing the pH test.
Step 5 - You have algae and now need to SLAM. Hopefully you read up on the process. Do you have a good source for liquid chlorine for the SLAM? Get your pH to 7.2, raise your FC to 20 and dont stop until clear and you pass the criteria to stop SLAM, which should be several days away.
PS - resist the urge to any more algecide, clarifyer, floculant, blue stuff, etc.
Reading the ABC’s & slamming but you make sure I understand, & please bear with me as I get started. I promise I am usually a fast leaner?, I need to add bleach to reach 20 on FC and keep it there until the pool is clear. Slam is completed? My PH is 8.2 so I should be good to start the SLAM correct?
- Apr 10, 2018
- 6,354
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Prior to the SLAM Process, adjust your pH to 7.2. The pH test is an accurate when chlorine level is above 10 ppm, so don't bother testing pH again until your done with the SLAM.
Good luck!
- Jun 8, 2019
- 4,581
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Ph is at 7.1 and I have started the SLAM. My FC this morning is at 20.5. Swept the pool down this morning. Not a lot in it but u can still see a small amount of dead algae and a small amount of algae. Vacuumed all the dead algae out on Sun evening after putting in the HTH algae on Sat. So it seems to be coming around. I will maintain the FC at 20 until totally clear - correct?
- Jun 8, 2019
- 4,581
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Test several times a day - no more than once every 30 mins but at least 3-4 times a day. Add liquid chlorine after each test to get to 20ppm. Repeat until you see no sign of algae, you pass the OCLT, and CCs are 1ppm or less.
keep an eye on the filter psi btw the filter cleans better when its a little dirty so wait till it gets to 25% above the clean psi. and dont forget to post pics. WELCOME
Day 2 of Slam and I am still sweeping some algae off the walls. Not visible to the eye until u sweep. I shocked it Sat with the HTH as described earlier and then started this SLAM Mon. Seems like I shouldn’t still be having algae form. Keeping FC at 20. Am I doing something wrong?