Help!

[Carshell]

Hello everyone!!! I’m new! This is my first post and my TF pro with ph meter and sample tests are being delivered tomorrow! Can’t wait to figure out if what’s in my pool is algae or something else

Soo I posted a couple photos from 0650 this morning and I used my pool blaster cordless vacuum last night. Same stuff in pool last night as this morning. Basically it’s reappearing. I tried to feel it in my feet last night and it didn’t appear slimy but the stuff my cartridge filter is filtering is a tan to light brown slimy looking substance. When touched or brushed in pool it clouds up and breaks up immediately. Not really forming on walls other (sticking) it’s just gathering in all areas of the bottom and seams of pool. My above ground pool is in the sun all day.

So before I get my test kit tomorrow night, is there anything I should do before doing the official testing n my water? Can I do the overnight chlorine demand test tomorrow night and first thing Saturday morning?

In the mean time feel free to wager your best guesses at the gunk in my pool that is driving me crazy!! Ps in the last 10 days I’ve added pro team algaecide (last Wednesday night), hth clarifier (last Thursday morning), chlorox brand ph decreased and chlorox brand alkalinity increaser. Haven’t put those in though since probably this past Sunday or Monday. And liquid chlorine nightly, 1 gallon.

Using my test strips I would guess ( why I bought the tf pro to take guessing out)my ph to be maybe 7.6-7.8, feee chlorine 10 ish but looks a little more based on strip color, alkilinity around 100 maybe my current strips don’t test cya but the ones I had a few days ago before I ran out showed around 30-40.

Thanks and so glad I found you all

Ps I added a pic of a cartridge that we took out probably a week ago so you can see color of what’s in my pool if this helps…

 

[reggiehammond]

Wait for test kit, post results
Don't add any further magic potions from pool store or hardware store.

Make sure you read up on Pool Care Basics
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test and the SLAM Process

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP!

 

[RLP]

Add 5 PPM of chlorine per pool math daily until the test kit arrives.

And stop with all the pool store potions. Read up on poolschool.

 

[Carshell]

Ok tested my water. Pool math results should be linked to my sig. I did the CC test and it came out as 0.5.

What’s next? I’m guessing slam? Or do I need to adjust my alkalinity or ph first?

Thanks!!!

 

[Newdude]

What’s next?

Get a morning test just before sunrise to see if there is overnight loss. With no UV or bather load, any loss overnight is organic (algae). If you run your pump overnight, you won't have to wake up even earlier to mix the pool before testing.

 

[Carshell]

Get a morning test just before sunrise to see if there is overnight loss. With no UV or bather load, any loss overnight is organic (algae). If you run your pump overnight, you won't have to wake up even earlier to mix the pool before testing.

Does it matter that I left the chlorine floaters in my pool? I tested my night one with them in so I suppose I should keep it consistent and leave in overnight fir the am test?

 

[Newdude]

No chlorine can be added or it skews the test. Run it tomorrow night. Your FC is almost at SLAM anyway so there's no inherent rush of getting a swamp.

 

[Carshell]

No chlorine can be added or it skews the test. Run it tomorrow night. Your FC is almost at SLAM anyway so there's no inherent rush of getting a swamp.

I’m bummed I totally forgot to take them out.

 

[Newdude]

I’m bummed I totally forgot to take them out.

You've been here *2* days. It takes a minute to be second nature.

Elevated FC buys us whatever time we need. That's the secret to the whole shebang. So long as you are free and clear above minimum, even if you have algae, it won't get worse. Having time on our side is a huge asset.

All other concerns are long term concerns and we can work on them a little at a time until we fine tune it.

 

[Carshell]

You've been here *2* days. It takes a minute to be second nature.

Elevated FC buys us whatever time we need. That's the secret to the whole shebang. So long as you are free and clear above minimum, even if you have algae, it won't get worse. Having time on our side is a huge asset.

All other concerns are long term concerns and we can work on them a little at a time until we fine tune it.

Well yes technically 2 days as a member…. Reading and stalking posts for the past 4-5 days

 

[Carshell]

Gonna check my levels shortly for the overnight chlorine loss to see if the Crud at the bottom of my pool is really algae. Even if my chlorine loss is not showing algae I still plan to slam as it is cloudy and not crystal clear. No green water at all which is good!

My question is should I just go ahead and start slam this morning? We will be in a nice hazy cover of Canadian wildfire smoke here in Iowa today so I’m thinking it’ll be convenient for the slam to start soon rather than tonight.

Also I have the pool math app that tells me what level I need to slam but I don’t see a conversion for mustard algae there… where do I find that…. And that’s only for 24 hrs after the normal slam is complete correct?

Thanks!!

 

[Mdragger88]

Gonna check my levels shortly for the overnight chlorine loss to see if the Crud at the bottom of my pool is really algae. Even if my chlorine loss is not showing algae I still plan to slam as it is cloudy and not crystal clear. No green water at all which is good!

My question is should I just go ahead and start slam this morning? We will be in a nice hazy cover of Canadian wildfire smoke here in Iowa today so I’m thinking it’ll be convenient for the slam to start soon rather than tonight.

Also I have the pool math app that tells me what level I need to slam but I don’t see a conversion for mustard algae there… where do I find that…. And that’s only for 24 hrs after the normal slam is complete correct?

Thanks!!

Correct- MA slam level is after the
SLAM Process is completed.
Here’s the deets - there’s a link to the chart in there

Mustard Algae

Today We are going to show you how you can get rid of mustard algae in your pool. By following the steps in this guide and with no expensive chemicals.

www.google.com

Before beginning the slam lower ph to 7.2 as outlined in the article.
If fc is above 10ppm this can skew the ph test so let fc fall to 10 or below for that test/adjustment.

 

[Newdude]

My question is should I just go ahead and start slam this morning?

If you're going to either way, then you might as well get on with it.

Also. Bravo to you for wanting remove all doubts. That's a pro move right there. The rookies sit around for a week or two looking for reasons why they don't have to SLAM. The pros SLAM it at first inkling and have a way easier time nipping it in the bud, if it needed nipping.

 

[Carshell]

Ok new numbers are in. No free chlorine loss overnight but my ph and cya rose a bit. Gunk still at bottom of pool and still not crystal clear water. Slam now or as mentioned above should I lower with muriatic acid first? Recheck in an hour or so and start slam after ph is more at 7.2?

 

[Carshell]

Here’s just now pics of what lies beneath

 

[PoolStored]

Ok new numbers are in. No free chlorine loss overnight but my ph and cya rose a bit. Gunk still at bottom of pool and still not crystal clear water. Slam now or as mentioned above should I lower with muriatic acid first? Recheck in an hour or so and start slam after ph is more at 7.2?

Add muriatic to lower pH. Test after 30 minutes and start slam if pH has come down.

 

[Carshell]

Re checked ph after MA addition. Came down but not quite to 7.2. Added a bit more. I’m guessing next 30 min check it should be 7.2

 

[Carshell]

Came down to either 7 or 7.1. Gotta make some pancakes (priorities) then I will slam my pool to a level of 20

 

[Mdragger88]

The pucks are adding cya so take that into consideration when determining cya & corresponding slam level
FC/CYA Levels
Here’s roughly what each dissolved does in your pool

After they are dissolved discontinue their use.