Is shocking a must?

[Uncle Rico's Pool]

About 6-7 weeks ago I completed a slam and passed all three criteria. My water has been crystal clear since. I plan to close on Saturday or Sunday worst case because we have freezing temperatures coming on Monday. I am concerned if I slam now that my fc will not be low enough to close so I am considering being fc to half slam, adding algecide and closing.

Thoughts?

 

[ajw22]

No requirement to SLAM before closing if you are confident your water is algae free.

FC anywhere between normal and half SLAM and Polyquat 60 should work fine.

 

[Uncle Rico's Pool]

Ok great. I’m new to pools but I am pretty confident. I had a long battle with a green pool two months ago. Slam was about 10 days. Water is still very clear. Fc loss seems to be about 1ppm per day. Would this give you confidence? May not have a choice now anyway.

 

[Uncle Rico's Pool]

Will algecide help kill anything that may be there?

 

[ajw22]

Will algecide help kill anything that may be there?

Closing with chlorine and Polyquat 60 is your best insurance policy.

How_To_Use_Polyquat_60_in_Pool_Winterization.3F

 

[Uncle Rico's Pool]

One more question. I have not found polyquat 60 locally but Menards has Utikem 50% Algaecide. It says it’s dimethyl benzoyl ammonium chloride. Is this a good algecide? I don’t see copper mentioned which I know to be bad for your pool.

Thanks

 

[ajw22]

That is ammonia which we do not recommend adding to pool water.

It will create a high FC demand when you open the pool.

PolyQuat vs Benzyl Chloride

Whats the difference between Benzyl ammonium chloride 1227 and a polyquat 60? Mode of kill? Are both chemicals suitable for pool use? and if so which of the mentioned should i really be using? Is this a Polyquat? Poly[oxyethylene(dimethyliminio)ethylene(dimethylimino)ethylene dichloride]

www.troublefreepool.com

Search results for query: dimethyl benzoyl ammonium chloride

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Uncle Rico's Pool]

Thanks. I was able to find an algaecide with the same active ingredient. Is it supposed to be thick and brown like an oil? I’m hesitant to add to my beautiful water...

 

[ajw22]

Thanks. I was able to find an algaecide with the same active ingredient. Is it supposed to be thick and brown like an oil? I’m hesitant to add to my beautiful water...

What brand?

Does the ingredients only say Poly{oxyethylene(dimethyliminio)Ethylene (dimethyliminio)ethylene dichloride}?

 

[Uncle Rico's Pool]

GLB. Yes, 60% that exact chemical string

 

[Uncle Rico's Pool]

Bump...
Sorry to bump so soon but trying to get closer this afternoon and weather is turning. Can anyone confirm if Algaecide should look like brown oil?

Thanks!

 

[Uncle Rico's Pool]

Hello everyone. Trying to close my pool this afternoon for first time following the methods recommended here. I could not find polyquat locally but found a GLB product with an identical active ingredient. When I went to add it, I noticed it is like a brown thick oil. It seemed counterintuitive to add to my blue water! Can someone confirm this is what it should look like?

Thanks!

 

[JamesW]

That's what it looks like.

 

[ajw22]

Yes, it is fine to use.

 

[Uncle Rico's Pool]

Great. Thanks!!

 

[Uncle Rico's Pool]

Ok I’m on the final stretch. I have blown out line but still hear a little bit of water gurgling way down in the pipes. Do I need to worry about getting every last bit out or does the antifreeze do the rest?
Thanks

 

[ajw22]

Skimmers Or returns?

Antifreeze is an added insurance policy. You never can tell if you have blown it clear.

The frost depth is about 16” in Kansas. Water in pipes below that should not be at risk to freeze.

 

[Uncle Rico's Pool]

Good point regarding freeze line. Thanks. Skimmer is much deeper than that. I hear a little in the returns but probably over cautious. This is my first winter.