New and slamming

[Ebrown430]

New to the forum. I have an inground fiberglass salt water pool with sand filter approx 15000. I neglected the pool from January to April and it turned into a swamp. Green, slimy, frogs, etc. I’ve since removed all the leaves sticks and frogs from the pool and began following the SLAM method outlined here. I think I’m on like day 4 or 5 and the pool is a light green and cloudy. I brush and vacuum ever day. I test the water and adjust at least twice a day.

In the last 36 hours I have not had to add any chlorine to maintain my FC at or above shock level? Is this normal? I thought I would be adding chlorine constantly throughout this process until the pool was clear.

I haven’t seen what appears to be too much of change in the water color or cloudiness. Am I doing it right?

I do have a few other concerns. First I only have one skimmer and I’m not sure it is in an ideal location to filter the water. Nothing to be done about that I guess. No deep end drain or anything like that and only 3 returns.

Second is I’m worried about the fiberglass being stained. There is yellow staining around the waterline and on the steps. It seems to come up with chlorine straight on it but no amount of brushing does anything. I have just a regular old pool brush. Not the SS.

Below is my latest sample:
FC-36
CC-1.5
pH-8.1
CYA-70
TA-110
CH-250

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
Be sure you read SLAM Process. Right now, your FC is well above shock level. No need for that.
pH test is invalid at FC above 10 ppm.
Does your water have iron in it? Is this well water? Can you fill out your signature?
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry and consider reviewing the entire Pool School eBook.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Hey there neighbor..... keep in mind we've had two days of rain and clouds so any FC loss was solely the "cooties" in the water and none to the sun. That part is good.

But your FC is too high. Don't overdose the pool. Just test and add only as much bleach as PoolMath tells you to add to recover you FC up to the SLAM level.

Maddie

 

[Ebrown430]

Hey there neighbor..... keep in mind we've had two days of rain and clouds so any FC loss was solely the "cooties" in the water and none to the sun. That part is good.

But your FC is too high. Don't overdose the pool. Just test and add only as much bleach as PoolMath tells you to add to recover you FC up to the SLAM level.

Maddie

Yeah rain has been bad this weekend. When the calculator was telling me to add 1 lb 10 oz, I just rounded up. That’s why the FC is higher. I realize I’m wasting chemical but I don’t have a way to measure by the ounce.

 

[Ebrown430]

Pictures for reference

 

[mknauss]

When the calculator was telling me to add 1 lb 10 oz, I just rounded up.

What type of chlorine are you using? Should be liquid chlorine - sodium hypochlorite.

 

[Ebrown430]

What type of chlorine are you using? Should be liquid chlorine - sodium hypochlorite.

73% cal hypo. The only liquid I could find was 10% concentration

 

[Mr Bruce]

That 10% liquid is what you want to be using

I bet those stains will go away in time from the chlorine.

 

[Ebrown430]

Why liquid instead of powder

 

[mknauss]

Why liquid instead of powder

The cal hypo adds calcium to your water. You are probably OK using it for awhile. But once your CH gets to 350 ppm or so, time to back off. The liquid only adds salt to your water, plus chlorine.

 

[Ebrown430]

Alright guys. So seven days later and the water is basically clear. I still thing I have a little algae lingering. Haven’t attempted OCLT yet, but will likely perform this week. The problem I have now is in the picture attached. The stains! No amount of brushing or vacuuming has broken them up. I know what your going to tell me. Determine if they are organic (continue slam) or metal (???). That is on the to do list today.

Separate thought, ok to swim in on slam levels?

 

[mknauss]

You can safely swim in a pool as long as the FC is above the minimum and at or below SLAM level based on your CYA. You must also be able to see the bottom of the pool in the deep end of the pool.

 

[Ebrown430]

So, I did vitamin c test and it came right up. What to do now?

 

[mknauss]

So, I did vitamin c test and it came right up. What to do now?

That is iron.
You can do a sock full of vitamin C and do it that way, or, do an Ascorbic Acid treatment. See Stains in Your Pool - Trouble Free Pool

 

[Ebrown430]

Passed OCLT. Going to mustard slam as a cya while I wait on chemicals to get here to deal with the iron staining