I want to cry

[sbolton4487]

I have struggled all summer with this stupid pool. I have learned more about pool chemistry than I would ever want to know. I just cannot keep the algae at bay. I had a beautiful period after a slam for about a week then that’s it. Now I just want to close it but cannot clear it up to close it. We have struggled all summer with bubbles and keeping the PH down. I know that’s part of it. We haven’t found any leaks or places that we can figure air is coming in. It’s an Intex 16x32 with a SWG sand filter. I’m starting to think you get what you pay for but also see so many that have success with this pool. Currently the PH is 7.4, CYA is 55, alkalinity is 120 and chlorine was 8 before I shocked it again. Backwashed today and it was GROSS. So the filters trying I just don’t understand how the chlorine is always 8 or above and we cannot fight the algae. We also have had the SWG at max all summer and always adding multiple gallons of shock each week. Something just doesn’t seem right. We have had this pool before and we had a 16x32 inground years ago and never struggled like this!

If anyone has any thoughts or things I could try that maybe I haven’t thought of, please share. At this point I just want to get it closed.

14k gal, Intex vinyl, 2800GPH Intex Krystal Clear sand filter pump with SWG, Aiper Seagull SE cordless robot vacuum, TF PRO Test Kit

 

[ajw22]

What do you intend to do to close the pool?

Does it make sense to drain the pool for the winter, take down the liner, steps, and whatever else you have in the pool, and scrub it well with a chlorine solution. Let it dry off over the winter. Algae should not live over the winter once it is dry. And then start fresh next year?

Or you winterize the pool with water in it and you will likely have a green pool at Spring opening and start the cycle again? We can work with you next Spring to find the places algae hides in an Intex pool.

 

[Bperry]

I have struggled all summer with this stupid pool. I have learned more about pool chemistry than I would ever want to know. I just cannot keep the algae at bay. I had a beautiful period after a slam for about a week then that’s it. Now I just want to close it but cannot clear it up to close it. We have struggled all summer with bubbles and keeping the PH down. I know that’s part of it. We haven’t found any leaks or places that we can figure air is coming in. It’s an Intex 16x32 with a SWG sand filter. I’m starting to think you get what you pay for but also see so many that have success with this pool. Currently the PH is 7.4, CYA is 55, alkalinity is 120 and chlorine was 8 before I shocked it again. Backwashed today and it was GROSS. So the filters trying I just don’t understand how the chlorine is always 8 or above and we cannot fight the algae. We also have had the SWG at max all summer and always adding multiple gallons of shock each week. Something just doesn’t seem right. We have had this pool before and we had a 16x32 inground years ago and never struggled like this!

If anyone has any thoughts or things I could try that maybe I haven’t thought of, please share. At this point I just want to get it closed.

14k gal, Intex vinyl, 2800GPH Intex Krystal Clear sand filter pump with SWG, Aiper Seagull SE cordless robot vacuum, TF PRO Test Kit

If you’ve got algae, that’s cause me by inadequate chlorine at some point. The pH has very little to do with it.

 

[sande005]

I looked at your prior post in July too. I'm really reaching here, and don't want to seem to be blaming the victim, but - How much water are you starting with for the FAS-DPD test, and how many scoops of powder? While the TFPro calls for 10 ml (1 full scoop), some other variations of that kit from others call for 25 ml (2 full scoops). The lesser amount has you divide drops by 2, the higher amount divide by 5. So if using the wrong divisor, it could have lead you astray with what your Cl levels really were. Which might explain the seemingly really high FC amount back in July. And may mean you have been actually traveling too low since.

Or...on Intex's own site, their SWG gets pretty bad reviews. Unfortunately, the definitive test about whether it is working or not depends on starting with a algae free pool. Same as the OCLT, but you leave the SWG running all night, and see how much Cl gain your pool has in the morning. But if there is algae, it will defeat the results.
If it is doing something, while it is running you should see small bubbles (almost soda pop sized) coming out of the return. You could try to capture some water as directly from the return as you can, and test to see if the Cl level is higher than a sample taken from a far side of the pool. Any amount higher, and it is at least doing something.

My money is on a failed or failing SWG for the issues. @ajw22 's advice is what to consider at this point. You can invest in a lot of liquid, to SLAM it again, take it all down and scrub, or muddle through knowing you'll have to do the SLAM next spring.

 

[sbolton4487]

If you’ve got algae, that’s cause me by inadequate chlorine at some point. The pH has very little to do with it.

I would agree but my chlorine has never dropped below the high end of recommended

 

[sbolton4487]

If you’ve got algae, that’s cause me by inadequate chlorine at some point. The pH has very little to do with it.

I would agree but my chlorine has never dropped below the high end of recommended

What do you intend to do to close the pool?

Does it make sense to drain the pool for the winter, take down the liner, steps, and whatever else you have in the pool, and scrub it well with a chlorine solution. Let it dry off over the winter. Algae should not live over the winter once it is dry. And then start fresh next year?

Or you winterize the pool with water in it and you will likely have a green pool at Spring opening and start the cycle again? We can work with you next Spring to find the places algae hides in an Intex pool.

We were planning on keeping the water in and adding a closing algaecide. I’m leaning towards dealing with it in the spring. We seem to always have the algae blooms starting in the corners. My husband is considering hard piping in an automatic chlorinator we have tons of trees and plants around the pool.

 

[sbolton4487]

I looked at your prior post in July too. I'm really reaching here, and don't want to seem to be blaming the victim, but - How much water are you starting with for the FAS-DPD test, and how many scoops of powder? While the TFPro calls for 10 ml (1 full scoop), some other variations of that kit from others call for 25 ml (2 full scoops). The lesser amount has you divide drops by 2, the higher amount divide by 5. So if using the wrong divisor, it could have lead you astray with what your Cl levels really were. Which might explain the seemingly really high FC amount back in July. And may mean you have been actually traveling too low since.

Or...on Intex's own site, their SWG gets pretty bad reviews. Unfortunately, the definitive test about whether it is working or not depends on starting with a algae free pool. Same as the OCLT, but you leave the SWG running all night, and see how much Cl gain your pool has in the morning. But if there is algae, it will defeat the results.
If it is doing something, while it is running you should see small bubbles (almost soda pop sized) coming out of the return. You could try to capture some water as directly from the return as you can, and test to see if the Cl level is higher than a sample taken from a far side of the pool. Any amount higher, and it is at least doing something.

My money is on a failed or failing SWG for the issues. @ajw22 's advice is what to consider at this point. You can invest in a lot of liquid, to SLAM it again, take it all down and scrub, or muddle through knowing you'll have to do the SLAM next spring.

We have been doing 10ml and 1 scoop. And it’s interesting because the chlorine on the daily reader will be almost orange but we will get a much lower reading for the FAS-DPD. What you’re saying makes a lot of sense.

My husband wants to hardpipe in an auto chlorinator. I’ve always seen/thought that intex pumps and filters just aren’t up to par. We do have tiny bubbles coming from the return.

I’m ready to be done and try again next year - just wondering how I can prepare for a new approach next year and if hard piping in a new pump/filter would be beneficial.

 

[Bperry]

I would agree but my chlorine has never dropped below the high end of recommended

You should do the SLAM process and then see how it goes. It must have got low at some point or was not totally cleared up from previous episode.

 

[Mdragger88]

The largest intex swcg (15k gal unit) is only really appropriate for about an 8k gal pool. With a larger pool than that you’ll need to supplement with liquid chlorine.
We recommend that the swcg be rated for 2x’s your pool’s volume.
To combat this problem you can add another intex unit in parallel (if you have 2 returns- have 1 on each return)
Or replace it with a more robust unit (30k gal rated or larger)
Your cya is low for a swcg fed pool - especially one that is undersized.
I understand the need to keep cya lower if you’re not done fighting algae. So lets move on to that.
Have you been scrubbing the seams & under any flaps they may have? Even if its 1/2” wide.
This is a known algae hiding place in an intex pool.
Let’s talk ladders/steps… have you scrubbed it inside & out?
Recurring algae can be caused by a few things-
SLAM Process not fully complete,
Hidden algae spots not being found/scrubbed,
Fc falling too low at some point due to higher uv or batherload - even if you made it back up
(be sure to test at different times of the day to ensure that the fc isn’t actually lower at some other time - like right before the cell comes back on)

If by auto chlorinator you mean trichlor tablet feeder - that won’t solve your problems. Adding cya constantly via tabs will just mean you need more & more chlorine each day.
Tabs are not recommended for daily chlorination.

 

[Jsf721]

I would agree but my chlorine has never dropped below the high end of recommended

What are the chemical specs of your pool ?

Your swg may need help from liquid chlorine. You can win is 5-7 days if you have time to dose the pool 3-4 times a day to keep the slam level. Have the ability to accurately test is critical.

 

[dereksanders]

My Intex unit has kept my pool clean and clear all season. I check my levels 2-3 times a day just to make sure I didn’t screw something up. As @Mdragger88 mentioned, you have to have an appropriately sized unit for your volume regardless of brand.