How to get water clear

[stonefamily]

This is what the test strip says. It was a lot more green. We used an algaecide and some shock and got to this. What now ? Please help.

 

[PoolStored]

Welcome to TFP!!!

The very first thing to do, don't pass go, don't collect $200, go get a test kit. NOW, Today! Link-->Test Kits Compared

Everything we do here is based on solid test results. Without them, we can make recommendations that will cost you more in the long run, because it was based on faulty testing.

Until you get your test kit, add 5ppm of liquid chlorine, daily, per PoolMath. Nothing else.

When you get your test kit, post a full set of results and we can clear that pool right up. Proof (Link)-->How Clear is TFP Clear?

I would read these in the meantime
Pool Care Basics
FC/CYA Levels
SLAM Process

Sincerely,
PoolStored

 

[Newdude]

The cornerstone of TFPC is the CYA/FC relationship explained in the link above. It has some wiggle room and the CYA can be off by 10 and everything still works fine. The test strip scale just isn't going to cut it and you'll never know what your FC should be without knowing what the CYA is.



In order to fix it, you need to maintain SLAM level until the algae is killed which could be days or even 2 weeks. Again, it hinges on the CYA level.



I cannot reccomend the Tfpro from tftestkits.net enough. It will pay for itself many times over. We'll help every step of the way.

 

[stonefamily]

Welcome to TFP!!!

The very first thing to do, don't pass go, don't collect $200, go get a test kit. NOW, Today! Link-->Test Kits Compared

Everything we do here is based on solid test results. Without them, we can make recommendations that will cost you more in the long run, because it was based on faulty testing.

Until you get your test kit, add 5ppm of liquid chlorine, daily, per PoolMath. Nothing else.

When you get your test kit, post a full set of results and we can clear that pool right up. Proof (Link)-->How Clear is TFP Clear?

I would read these in the meantime
Pool Care Basics
FC/CYA Levels
SLAM Process

Sincerely,
PoolStored

Test kit ordered from the link. Hopefully it gets here quick. Will start adding liquid chlorine daily.
Should we use our vacuum and try and get the algae off the bottom while we wait for test kit?

 

[Newdude]

Should we use our vacuum and try and get the algae off the bottom while we wait for test kit?

Sure.

 

[stonefamily]

Sure.

To add liquid chlorine, is there a certain place to pour it, in front of return etc. and until the test kit comes in should we do a gallon a day ?

 

[Newdude]

Yup. Pour really low so it doesn't splash in front of a running return. A pencil sized stream will get mixed up well. Brush the area after because it's heavier than water and may puddle up.

should we do a gallon a day ?

Sure. That's close enough at 4.8 ppm per
PoolMath

 

[PoolStored]

To add liquid chlorine, is there a certain place to pour it, in front of return etc. and until the test kit comes in should we do a gallon a day ?

Yes, exactly this...in front of a return, pencil thin pour. A gallon should take a minute or more. Brush around after, just to be safe.

 

[stonefamily]

We have received our test kit. Here are the results, except the cya test. (On it I poured until the test tube was to the top and I can still see the black dot, so do I use the number at the very top? (20?))
FC = 1
CC = 1
TC = 2
Alkalinity = 80
Calcium hardness = 100
CYA = ? (Attaching photo of black dot with water filled to the brim of test tube )

What steps should we take. We have been vacuuming , and running pump and poured 4 gallons of liquid chlorine in it 2 days before this test. Thanks for any help.

 

[PoolStored]

We have received our test kit. Here are the results, except the cya test. (On it I poured until the test tube was to the top and I can still see the black dot, so do I use the number at the very top? (20?))
FC = 1
CC = 1
TC = 2
Alkalinity = 80
Calcium hardness = 100
CYA = ? (Attaching photo of black dot with water filled to the brim of test tube )

What steps should we take. We have been vacuuming , and running pump and poured 4 gallons of liquid chlorine in it 2 days before this test. Thanks for any help.

Great job on the KIT!!! Very cool!

Get some liquid chlorine in now. Add 3ppm.

Your CYA is zero. Add 30ppm of chlorine stabilizer using the sock method.

After you get the sock in the pool, start this process...Link-->SLAM Process
Your target FC is 10. When the CYA is dissolved, your target FC is 12.
Print it out, read it three times, keep it in your back pocket. Having printed copy REALLY helped me.

 

[stonefamily]

Sorry for all the questions. For the sock method, would this work ? How do I determine the ppm? And do you literally use an old sock or pantyhose ?

 

[PoolStored]

Sorry for all the questions. For the sock method, would this work ? How do I determine the ppm? And do you literally use an old sock or pantyhose ?

Yes. For ppm, use pool math and "effects of adding" function. PoolMath. Yes an old sock or new sock and tie it off, hang in front of a return.

 

[stonefamily]

Got the socks in (6 pounds of stabilizer) and 2 gallons of liquid chlorine. Praying this works. If not we may just tear it down

 

[PoolStored]

Want proof? Check out all the others that came from where you are...Link-->How Clear is TFP Clear?

 

[stonefamily]

After adding everything I checked and the FC was 5.5 and CC was 1


Now it’s FC is 1 and CC is 4.
Why did it drop so low so fast.
Do I need to add more liquid chlorine.

 

[PoolStored]

The algae in your pool. Are you following this process? Link-->SLAM Process

Print it out, read it three times, keep it in your back pocket for reference. Having a paper copy instructions really helped me out...

 

[RookiePick]

After adding everything I checked and the FC was 5.5 and CC was 1


Now it’s FC is 1 and CC is 4.
Why did it drop so low so fast.
Do I need to add more liquid chlorine.

The Chlorine is doing it's job. This is a good thing.

Read and follow the SLAM docs as above. Get your FC to target for your CYA and regularly check it and replenish to target FC.

 

[stonefamily]

Before we had the correct Test kit, we had added 5 gallons of liquid chlorine. After the test we realize cya was zero. We have fixed that and now have a cya of 30. Added more liquid chlorine. Last night FC was 12 and CC was one. This morning our FC is seven the water is not any clear.
At this point what do we do? Continue adding liquid chlorine? My husband says he’s done buying liquid chlorine lol. But if I understand the process right, we have to keep adding to keep FC at 14 correct

 

[PoolStored]

At this point what do we do? Continue adding liquid chlorine? My husband says he’s done buying liquid chlorine lol. But if I understand the process right, we have to keep adding to keep FC at 14 correct

Yes! You want to maintain that FC at 14. The more often that you can do it (every couple hours) the better. It may take some period of time of doing this. It took me 8 days when I did my slam. Don't stop. It works, just takes time.

Print the SLAM instructions out. Read them three times. Keep it in your back pocket for reference. Having printed copy really helped me. Link-->SLAM Process

Show your husband this thread...Link-->How Clear is TFP Clear?

 

[Mdragger88]

Before we had the correct Test kit, we had added 5 gallons of liquid chlorine. After the test we realize cya was zero. We have fixed that and now have a cya of 30. Added more liquid chlorine. Last night FC was 12 and CC was one. This morning our FC is seven the water is not any clear.
At this point what do we do? Continue adding liquid chlorine? My husband says he’s done buying liquid chlorine lol. But if I understand the process right, we have to keep adding to keep FC at 14 correct

Slam level fc for a cya of 30 is 12ppm
FC/CYA Levels
but yes, you have the right idea
It’s not a one & done thing. Anything that claims to be is simply not true even if it makes the water look better and/or may also be dangerous for your liner, people & equipment. The SLAM process (Shock Level And Maintain) ensures that you actually eradicate the algae & prove its gone (by meeting the 3 exit criteria) whilst not being harmful to equipment, surfaces, or swimmers. Hopefully explaining that to your hubby will help.
Here are some helpful tips:
For a successful SLAM Process
you need to continue to MAINTAIN Slam level fc for your cya as often as possible (multiple times per day is best) until you meet ALL 3 end of slam criteria-

You are done when:

CC is 0.5 or lower;
You pass an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test
AND
the water is clear.
(Crystal Clear w/no algae dead or alive)

*Check & scrub every nook & cranny where algae may hide (light niches, steps, drain covers, ladder handrails, skimmer throats/weirs, abandoned lines, autofill, overflow drains, etc.)
*If water can go there, algae can thrive there.
*Run slam level water through all water features & lines for at least a couple hours a day during the SLAM Process.
*Brush & or vac daily (this breaks up biofilms that algae uses to protect itself from chlorine)
*Backwash/clean filter when pressure rises 25%over clean pressure.