I'm a long time pool owner and at my wits end trying to get my pool in shape!

[ImDudelin]

The question is "Use Pool Math PoolMath to find out how much chlorine to add."
I'm confused. Tell me. If 70, how many gal chlorine. I haven't gotten this pool math yet No cell.
I'm going to download it... What is the formula? I had an issue with my diaphram for the grids today.
Gotta go back out. Pool running; haven't added chlorine yet. BTW, how many hours should I run the pump?

 

[proavia]

The FC level refers to "ppm"
To reach SLAM Process level of 28 ppm for your CYA of 70, you add liquid chlorine.
Use PoolMath and your pool volume. In PoolMath you ender the tested FC and the target you are shooting for (28 in this case), the chlorine concentration (usually 10% or 12.5%). PoolMath will calculte the quantity to add to reach SLAM level.

If you have questions or something in the calculation doesn't seem right, be sure to ask here.

Add your test kit and all equipment (manufacturers and model numbers) to your signature.

 

[ImDudelin]

Sheesh! Back in, 9 pm. Here's what I ended up doing. I did the ph with my regular test kit and later the small one in the new kit. They came up with about 8.0. I put in 1/2 gal acid. Ran the pool for awhile while netting the surface. Later did the CYA test. Kept adding and adding the solution but could still see the gray dot. Finally swirled it some and the light gray dot went away. Reading was at 45. Probably more like 50. The pump is running normally; turned on the sweep and watch for awhile. It's holding. Hoping pressure doesn't drop down later tonight. Set it to run 16 hours. I never figured out how many gal chlorine from Slam, but usually worked for my pool. Hoping it looks better in the morning but I realize it's not over yet <G>

 

[wireform]

Finally swirled it some and the light gray dot went away.

You'd benefit from the Magnetic stirr

 

[ImDudelin]

Update - Last Sunday - Chlorine low = .2 / ph 8,0 / CYA 50. Added 1/2 gal acid and 3 gal 12% chlorine. Ran pump all thru Monday pm. Pool still green but cleared up somewhat. Pump/sweep going fairly well.
Monday - Chlorine about 3.3 / ph 7.3. Added one more gal chlorine (all I had).
Tuesday- Will be checking water in a bit...
Finally able to download Pool Math on my laptop (not premium). Having trouble using it. Have Sunday entered. I guess I have to kind of start over for Monday/Tues. to get Slam amounts....

 

[wireform]

Seems like your not keeping at it enough. Read the slam article again and see what you're missing.

 

[reggiehammond]

Update - Last Sunday - Chlorine low = .2 / ph 8,0 / CYA 50. Added 1/2 gal acid and 3 gal 12% chlorine. Ran pump all thru Monday pm. Pool still green but cleared up somewhat. Pump/sweep going fairly well.
Monday - Chlorine about 3.3 / ph 7.3. Added one more gal chlorine (all I had).
Tuesday- Will be checking water in a bit...
Finally able to download Pool Math on my laptop (not premium). Having trouble using it. Have Sunday entered. I guess I have to kind of start over for Monday/Tues. to get Slam amounts....

SLAM Process is a process. It takes diligence and does have some duration once a pool has gone green. Aim to test and dose 3-4x per day, pumping up FC each time to SLAM level. Don't give the algae a break - hit 'em with SLAM and you'll have good results.

 

[ImDudelin]

Saturday 7-20 Update (I wish all I had to worry about was my pool. I'm 80+, low $'s, on n' on...)
Issues w/downloading Pool Math on my laptop (simple one working; app not well!) ; also using TF-100.
My 1st test Tuesday for FC had to add 37 drops to clear tube! For total got the pink, needed 8 drops to clear.
PH = 7,3
Did chlorine again Thursday. Put in 22 drops! 2nd part, 8 again.
PH about 7.8. I've been adding acid - trying to get it down some. (only needed 1 drop to change to 7.3)
CYA, 1st test, believe 45-50. 2nd time = 48 (swirling frequently).
TA = 90 +
I'm also using the small chlorine/pH tester. Confused on FC scale.
and my old All-Clear, small/large tubes to help me figure my readings. Pool water much better now, light green.

Re my pump/sweep. I hosed out the DE filter last Sunday. Set rpm at 2,600. Pool was quite green. Filter pressure up somewhat, as I would expect, although 3 plus years ago it wouldn't have been such an issue. I turned up diverter valve to get my pressure back up to 50+ lbs but keeps dropping. Thursday, after pump off one hour plus, on, rpm at 2750, sweep gauge went up to 65 + lbs. 5 minutes later, down to 55. 15 min later down to low 40's. Pressure on tank is over 20. Same issues; like my first posts.
Friday - spent all after noon cleaning the DE filter again and putting back together. Used 6 (not 7) = less DE in the filter. Primed. Tank pressure = 9 + before and after DE. 2600 rpm makes a good swirl in skimmer.
Sweep diverter valve - from 12:00/off to 8:30 = 55 labs on pressure. Set to run 16 hours at 7:15 pm. Checked 30 min later, still OK, needle jumping around a bit, (I now recall, years ago when I would set speed so that needle would hold steady on gauge. No longer.) Anyway, I went out to check late this morning. Sweep pressure at about zero! Turned up valve to 6/all the way. Still 0. For how many hours? All night? Don't know. Turned off pump. 45 minutes later, turned on. Back up to 65+. Readjusted valve to 55 lb.
I went out now, about hour an half later. Pressure down to 30; sweep moving slowly. How am I going to get my pool clean like this . I going to post this now; more probably later....

 

[ImDudelin]

I've been having issues for last 2-3 years getting my pool clear. I've been trying to do a Slam and pool now is now a light green. My issue is that after hosing down the complete filter, its a Nautilus 48, and replacing, after a few days the tank pressure goes up from 11 to plus 20 and my Polaris 360 pressure goes down, sometimes to nothing. When I start the pump, pressure will start at about 65 lb, few minutes later 55, 15 or so later, 40 lb, and continues down to 30-20... I need about 55 for the sweep.
On Friday, I cleaned the filter w/a pressure hose. (I had cleaned it the week before.) It looks clean/white. Pool is fairly clean. On Sunday, tank pressure is up to 25 / 30 lbs. Filter clogged w/algae and/or minerals. It looks clean. Is there a way to tell before trying to soak in chlorine or acid for minutes? BTW, sweep pressure still jumps up to 65 for a bit, then down, today.
I'm trying figure my next step... Thanks....

 

[ajw22]

Does your pool pass a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test?

 

[PoolStored]

@ajw22 is implying it could be algae.

Do the OCLT. If you fail, start the SLAM process...Link-->SLAM Process

 

[ImDudelin]

I have visible algae. Much improved, but still a light green. (Leave pool pump off all nite w/OCLT?)
As mentioned on my other forum, I am having some problems w/TF-100.
My first FC test had to use 27 drops on 1st2nd part to change red to clear; 2nd part 8 drops.
Two days later, took 22 drops; 2nd part 8 again. Times .5 - I don't understand.
Because of filter high tank pressure in one/two weeks; this time two days I have low water flow = hard to do a Slam correctly.
I was hoping to get someones first hand knowledge about my grids; see my initial post.
Or is there something else causing my water flow issues?

 

[ajw22]

The algae clogging your filter is causing your water flow issues.

Nothing wrong with your grids.

Your first post is a classic tale of algae causing filter problems.

 

[ajw22]

Show us pictures of your equipment pad and let us see the equipment you are working with.

Also show us what your pool and pool water look like.

 

[proavia]

Are you doing the SLAM Process?
If so, you need to be testing FC at least three times daily and adding chlorine to bring FC back up to SLAM Process level.

In normal operations, you need to be testing FC daily - at least until you get to know your pool and its needs better.

Two days later, took 22 drops; 2nd part 8 again. Times .5 - I don't understand.

Let's discuss what these drop counts mean.

• FC test - 10 ml sample - 22 drops of R-0871 reagent to clear. 22 / 2 = 11 ppm (or 22 x .5 = 11 ppm).
• CC test - using above sample - 8 drops to clear - 8 / 2 = 4 ppm (or 8 x .5 = 4 ppm ).

I like to use the divide by 2 for the 10 ml FC/CC trst as it's simpler for me.

So in the above example, your FC is 11 ppm and your CC is 4 ppm.

 

[ImDudelin]

Spent evening and early morning hours going out, checking pressure on sweep and increasing from 2600 rpm. Initially I put in 2 gal 12.5% chlorine. Couple hours later added one more to Slam level. Every hour or two turn off for few minutes. Turn on again, pressure back up, Did this several times.; I need the water flow.
Why is this happening. Pool is fairly clean now; a little foggy. The filter can't be that dirty; cleaned Friday.

The algae clogging your filter is causing your water flow issues.

Nothing wrong with your grids.

Your first post is a classic tale of algae causing filter problems.

Let me say that I have been taking care of my pool for about 40 years! About 37 of those years I have been able to keep it in control. Things happened about 2 or 3 years ago, starting with a new pool pump, that has made it increasingly difficult to keep the pool as I had been doing; I've been having to clean the filter more frequently as the months go by.
All right. Nothing wrong with my grids. They don't do the filtering, the DE does. This year it's been every 6 or 4 or 2 weeks; never before. Even 1 week. I cleaned the grids/manifold last Friday. Two days later tank pressure up 10 lbs = low water flow. Last night, almost 30 (from 11 lb). My pool filter pressure has never gone up this quickly before. My pool was dark green last month. Most of green is gone. No way should the filter have clogged up that fast. I feel that the grids are clogged up w/algae. Are you saying otherwise? That I shouldn't try to clean them in 10% chlorine, or acid, or both. (Trying Slam but need water flow or won't work).
My original question was will that work fairly well, at least until I can afford new grids.
I appreciate all the input I can get <G>, Frustrated.

 

[ImDudelin]

Are you doing the SLAM Process?
If so, you need to be testing FC at least three times daily and adding chlorine to bring FC back up to SLAM Process level.

In normal operations, you need to be testing FC daily - at least until you get to know your pool and its needs better.


Let's discuss what these drop counts mean.

• FC test - 10 ml sample - 22 drops of R-0871 reagent to clear. 22 / 2 = 11 ppm (or 22 x .5 = 11 ppm).
• CC test - using above sample - 8 drops to clear - 8 / 2 = 4 ppm (or 8 x .5 = 4 ppm ).

I like to use the divide by 2 for the 10 ml FC/CC trst as it's simpler for me.

So in the above example, your FC is 11 ppm and your CC is 4 ppm.

To your first question, yes, I was trying to do the Slam but was having issues w/the Pool Math app.
And after I started, and had put in 3 gal of 12.5% chlorine. Set the timer for all night. The next mid-morning went out to check the pool, Pressure was up, sweep had dropped down to almost zero... I was thinking, I'm just spinning my wheels because I wasn't getting the water flow I should have. The pump isn't circulating the water enough. I'm dumping in chlorine but not getting the results I need.

As far as the FC test: I did it late afternoon w/pool shaded. Sun has taken almost all the chlorine out. I'm certain that it's low, maybe 1.0 or 1.5. No way should it be 27 drops for red to clear. CC was 8 = 4 ppm.
Two days later, about same time 22 drops to clear = 11 ppm. Followed directions, added drops, changed to red again, 8 drops again. I did this to try to use Pool Math for how much chlorine to add. 11 ppm. Not logical, as I know I didn't have much chlorine in the pool. I hadn't added any for 24 hours. CA, hot full sun.
I used the small test kit in the TF-100 and also my older All-Clear kit. Both showed low chlorine.
PH is 7.2 - CYA is 48. That's why I said that I was confused on the chlorine tests. 4 ppm maybe. Not 11. I don't understand how FC could be that high....

 

[kimkats]

The filter can't be that dirty; cleaned Friday.

yes they can be that dirty. It is a DE filter and they are known to be the best a clearing a pool BUT the down side is what you are seeing.........they get dirty fast as they do such a good job. Your filter is doing it's job now you need to do yours and keep it clean. As soon as the pressure goes up 10%over normal/clean pressure it needs to be cleaned.

You are still fighting the algae. You will be doing so for a bit longer. You need to SLAM the pool as stated above until the water is clear and it can pass the OCLT as seen here: Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

Take and share a pic of your pool each day so you can see the progress of it clearing. Take the pic while looking a the steps or a broom in the pool so you have some way to judge the amount of clearing of the dead algae. Good luck as it is not fast but it will clear over time with enough chlorine and POP (Pool Owner Patience).

 

[PCR]

To your first question, yes, I was trying to do the Slam but was having issues w/the Pool Math app.
And after I started, and had put in 3 gal of 12.5% chlorine. Set the timer for all night. The next mid-morning went out to check the pool, Pressure was up, sweep had dropped down to almost zero... I was thinking, I'm just spinning my wheels because I wasn't getting the water flow I should have. The pump isn't circulating the water enough. I'm dumping in chlorine but not getting the results I need.

As far as the FC test: I did it late afternoon w/pool shaded. Sun has taken almost all the chlorine out. I'm certain that it's low, maybe 1.0 or 1.5. No way should it be 27 drops for red to clear. CC was 8 = 4 ppm.
Two days later, about same time 22 drops to clear = 11 ppm. Followed directions, added drops, changed to red again, 8 drops again. I did this to try to use Pool Math for how much chlorine to add. 11 ppm. Not logical, as I know I didn't have much chlorine in the pool. I hadn't added any for 24 hours. CA, hot full sun.
I used the small test kit in the TF-100 and also my older All-Clear kit. Both showed low chlorine.
PH is 7.2 - CYA is 48. That's why I said that I was confused on the chlorine tests. 4 ppm maybe. Not 11. I don't understand how FC could be that high....

Just scroll to the bottom of this page and click on "Old PoolMath Webpage" and you can use that simple online version. No need to use the app if it's difficult for you.

 

[Chuckiechan]

To your first question, yes, I was trying to do the Slam but was having issues w/the Pool Math app.
And after I started, and had put in 3 gal of 12.5% chlorine. Set the timer for all night. The next mid-morning went out to check the pool, Pressure was up, sweep had dropped down to almost zero... I was thinking, I'm just spinning my wheels because I wasn't getting the water flow I should have. The pump isn't circulating the water enough. I'm dumping in chlorine but not getting the results I need.

As far as the FC test: I did it late afternoon w/pool shaded. Sun has taken almost all the chlorine out. I'm certain that it's low, maybe 1.0 or 1.5. No way should it be 27 drops for red to clear. CC was 8 = 4 ppm.
Two days later, about same time 22 drops to clear = 11 ppm. Followed directions, added drops, changed to red again, 8 drops again. I did this to try to use Pool Math for how much chlorine to add. 11 ppm. Not logical, as I know I didn't have much chlorine in the pool. I hadn't added any for 24 hours. CA, hot full sun.
I used the small test kit in the TF-100 and also my older All-Clear kit. Both showed low chlorine.
PH is 7.2 - CYA is 48. That's why I said that I was confused on the chlorine tests. 4 ppm maybe. Not 11. I don't understand how FC could be that high....

Here is a TFP link to the manual old pool app. Given what is going on, I would use that. I rely a lot on CSI.

PoolMath

Discover the calculator behind the perfect pool, PoolMath. Dealing with pools has allowed TFP to become the original authors of the best calculator on the net.

www.troublefreepool.com