Likelihood of algae?

[DrivenPT]

So I’m new here and trying to get a feel for how to maintain my pool in the first year of operation. It has gone well so far but I’m a little concerned I may have algae beginning.

We had a Memorial Day party in which we had about 20 people in and out of the pool over about a 5-6 hour period on a hot day. I did not test before the party but the previous day I was at 4.0 and added 36 ounces of bleach.

After the party the water was cloudy but theFC was still at 4.0 (for some reason I didn’t log this test) so I added 24 ounces.

The next day I was back at 4.0 so I added a bigger slug of 60 ounces which bumped me up to 9.0 (which was a lot more than it should have been according to poolmath).

One day later (today) I am back at 4.0 so I added another 36 ounces.

With my SWG running at 80% for 13hrs/day this seems like a big loss in 24 hours. How likely is it that I have algae? Should I go ahead and slam or wait for the results of an OCLT?

Thanks!

 

[jimbethesda]

So I’m new here and trying to get a feel for how to maintain my pool in the first year of operation. It has gone well so far but I’m a little concerned I may have algae beginning.

We had a Memorial Day party in which we had about 20 people in and out of the pool over about a 5-6 hour period on a hot day. I did not test before the party but the previous day I was at 4.0 and added 36 ounces of bleach.

After the party the water was cloudy but theFC was still at 4.0 (for some reason I didn’t log this test) so I added 24 ounces.

The next day I was back at 4.0 so I added a bigger slug of 60 ounces which bumped me up to 9.0 (which was a lot more than it should have been according to poolmath).

One day later (today) I am back at 4.0 so I added another 36 ounces.

With my SWG running at 80% for 13hrs/day this seems like a big loss in 24 hours. How likely is it that I have algae? Should I go ahead and slam or wait for the results of an OCLT?

Thanks!

Post up all your other levels, especially CYA.

 

[DrivenPT]

Post up all your other levels, especially CYA.

FC 4.0
CC0.5
PH 7.8
TA 90
CH 325
CYA 60

 

[PoolStored]

You need to follow this when you are chlorinating. Link-->FC/CYA Levels

Run on the higher end of the range, particularly when you have higher bather load. June is peak season, so the sun is eating it too. You can test and add liquid chlorine during the party, or turn the % up and run the pump during the party to help.

To confirm or deny algae...do this test tonight. Link-->Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

 

[PoolStored]

The IC-20 is a *little* undersized for your pool. At 80%, 13 hours, that is 2.8FC. Pools in TX likely consume 3-4FC this time of year.

 

[DrivenPT]

You need to follow this when you are chlorinating. Link-->FC/CYA Levels

Run on the higher end of the range, particularly when you have higher bather load. June is peak season, so the sun is eating it too. You can test and add liquid chlorine during the party, or turn the % up and run the pump during the party to help.

To confirm or deny algae...do this test tonight. Link-->Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

Yep - lesson learned on running higher on the range for parties. My guess is the OCLT will show some level of algae with as much loss as I had today. Would it be surprising to have algae going without the FC levels dipping below the minimum?

 

[PoolStored]

without the FC levels dipping below the minimum?

Going below min. is the operative word. I flirt with min, my pool gets cloudy. Pool is safe up to SLAM level FC. Min is LAVA!

My guess is that it went below min...remember test is accurate +/- 1 drop in 10 drops.

It dropped below, IC20 replaced, you tested fine...algae dance.

 

[PoolStored]

lesson learned on running higher on the range for parties.

Not jus parties, always...#TeamRunHot (President of the team is @newdude )

 

[DrivenPT]

Not jus parties, always...#TeamRunHot (President of the team is @newdude )

I’m going to apply for membership with teamrunhot

 

[PoolStored]

Definitely wish I had found TFP before we built this pool. Would definitely have gone bigger!

Its ok, the IC20 will add 6.5 at 100% for 24 hours. Ignoring swimmers, should handle your FC demand. Just need to run higher, longer.

I’m going to apply for membership with teamrunhot

Membership approved. Concur @newdude ?

 

[Newdude]

I’m going to apply for membership with teamrunhot

@PoolStored handled the IPO. Spectacularly, I might add. Now it's a thing and it works for a bunch of us.

 

[DrivenPT]

One last question….work is going to require early starts until Saturday morning so I won’t be able to do an OCLT until Friday night. In the meantime, should I just try to get it up to the top of the range (8-9ppm) or should I go higher?

 

[PoolStored]

You likely have algae. Any level up to SLAM level is safe. Until you can do proper SLAM, return your levels to the SLAM level.