New pool owner question / sand in pool?

[tgriff215]

Hi all,

Newbie here looking for some guidance. First time owning a pool as it came with the house we bought and I’ve been through the wringer already. Small pool. Only about 11k gallons. Replaced the pump this season to a Hayward vsp and added a salt cell. Also Hayward and have a pen take DE filter.

This feels like my second time opening the pool this year as I’ve been fighting algae all season. Went away on vaca and came back to a dark green pool and then pump blew hence the new pump purchase.

We decided to convert to salt water after the pump blew on 6/16 so the new pump and install were done at the same time.

My questions might be really dumb but now that we seem to finally have everything in working order, what is this sand or sediment that is constantly accruing on the bottom of my pool? It looks and feels like sand or sediment but when I brush it it dissapates like it’s algae. Pool was just shocked 4 days ago.

I’m curious if this could just be sediment from the concrete surrounding the pool as it’s been windy, but I want to be sure it’s not algae. Today was our first time swimming in it and I have two small children.

Pics are attached and here are my test results
FC: 5ppm
Salt generating 4500ppm per device
ph 7.2
Cya 65
Alkalinity 80
Calcium 1800???

Now I tested myself for the first time and got those results myself. So not sure how accurate they are. But I pulled the sediment out and strained it and it sure looks and feels grainy like sand or concrete but again when I push it at the deep end it clouds up.

Just want to make sure water is safe for my family.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! What test kit are you using?

 

[tgriff215]

Thank you. The HTH Pool Care 6-Way Test

 

[Texas Splash]

The HTH Pool Care 6-Way Test

It's probably safe to say the water testing is a bit in question. You were surprised by the CH (as am I), but the HTH kit has limitations. In addition, you have had, or still have, some algae and that requires what we call the TFP SLAM Process. If you read that article, you'll see it's not a one-time spike in FC. It requires consistent & accurate testing at an elevated level the HTH or other off the shelf kits can't provide.

We recommend members obtain either a TF-`100, TF-Pro Series, or Taylor K-2006C test kit. You'll need one of those to perform the SLAM Process. If you do indeed find later that your CH is truly that high, a good water exchange will be in order before we proceed.

Do you have any questions about the test kits or SLAM Process itself? I'll post a good article about test kits below for you to review. If you have any questions let us know. Also be sure to bookmark our Pool Care Basics page.

Swimming Pool Test Kits Compared

What pool test kit should I buy? Why shouldn't I use test strips? Our recommended test kits will pay for themselves in no time!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[tgriff215]

It's probably safe to say the water testing is a bit in question. You were surprised by the CH (as am I), but the HTH kit has limitations. In addition, you have had, or still have, some algae and that requires what we call the TFP SLAM Process. If you read that article, you'll see it's not a one-time spike in FC. It requires consistent & accurate testing at an elevated level the HTH or other off the shelf kits can't provide.

We recommend members obtain either a TF-`100, TF-Pro Series, or Taylor K-2006C test kit. You'll need one of those to perform the SLAM Process. If you do indeed find later that your CH is truly that high, a good water exchange will be in order before we proceed.

Do you have any questions about the test kits or SLAM Process itself? I'll post a good article about test kits below for you to review. If you have any questions let us know. Also be sure to bookmark our Pool Care Basics page.

Swimming Pool Test Kits Compared

What pool test kit should I buy? Why shouldn't I use test strips? Our recommended test kits will pay for themselves in no time!

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks for this. I’ll look to upgrade my test kit.

Does this look like evidence of algae? When I pulled the substance out of the pool it does really feel and look like sand or small rocks.

You think this requires a SLAM process?

 

[Texas Splash]

Does this look like evidence of algae?

Based on everything thus, yes. Probably good to review the SLAM Process now to get a leg-up on things.