Newbie...about to SLAM my newly acquired very green pond

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May 29, 2018
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Highland, Maryland
First - hello to everyone. I'm new to both the forum and pool ownership in general so needless to say this site has been amazing even though it is like drinking through a fire hose.

Background - we purchased the home in November, but were able to have the pool inspected prior to being closed for the winter. Prior owner took care of the pool himself, including closing it for the winter before the sale of the home to us. Fast forward to mid-May. We had a local pool company come out to open the pool and then continue to service the pool weekly as we have zero experience and were worried about things getting out of hand if we were not up to speed fast enough or went on vacation, etc. Said company comes out and opens the pool. At this point (no pictures) the pool was a dark forest green and they vacuumed out a lot of material. The company shocks the pool, cleans the filters, puts everything back together, tells us it should clear up quickly and heads out. Unfortunately that did not happen.

In just a short time we have had some interesting things happen. Day 1 - the pool cleared up quite a lot, but we had a VERY unexpected (and unfortunate) visitor:
IMG_9472.jpgIMG_9470.jpg

We have no idea what happened of course, but it was ironic that there is a toad sitting on top of the dead bird -- which lead some to suggest we were breeding killer toads in our pool.

Fast forward a week and the pool looked like this:
IMG_9544.jpg

Needless to say I was not a happy camper. After talking to the pool company who was not reliable (over promise, under deliver) and watching them just throw chemicals at it without a clear plan I realized what happened. The company completely forgot that we were scheduled for weekly maintenance and therefore had not added any further treatment other than the first shock (no pucks in the skimmers or a floater, nothing). Additionally, because they were not actually servicing the pool - the filter was clogged and preventing proper water movement and the temperature skyrocketed for a number of days so we were going backwards instead of forward. After scrambling to figure out what to do and doing a lot of late night google searching, I came across this site and started reading everything I could and we now have a game plan.

1) Fired the pool company
2) Ordered the recommended test kits to properly monitor the pool ourselves
3) Read up on the SLAM process
4) Bought out the bleach in multiple stores in my area (I'm probably on a list somewhere now)

Tonight I plan to start the prep work of brushing and testing (CYA especially), adjusting as necessary and then starting the SLAM in the coming days depending on the need for CYA, etc. Wish me luck as my wife and kids are extremely anxious to get in the pool and seeing it go the wrong direction has been a major disappointment for the family (and extended family).
 
:wave: Welcome to TFP!!! We are glad you found us :D

Sounds like you are on a good path.

Make sure the bleach does not have Cloromax technology or any fabric protectors or splashless or additives, etc.

Please add your pool details to your signature as described HERE as it will help us help you.
 
First set of test results from last night (using only the K-2005 as the K-1515 will not be in until tomorrow):

FC - non-existent
CC - 2
pH - 7.0
TA - 60
CH - 520 (well water to fill)
CYA - <30 (the dot was only obscured on the last drop which overflowed the tube)

Working on getting the CYA up so that I can start the SLAM Friday evening.
 
No reason you cannot start the SLAM now while you are raising your CYA. Just use SLAM level of 12 ppm FC expecting your CYA to be 30. Your current test will most likely be able to read your FC as it will drop pretty quickly with the condition of the water as it is.

Up to you.
 
I was only able to start the process last night about 6 pm as we have had some very strong thunderstorms this week. Unfortunately I wouldn’t say that I’m slamming at the moment as I cannot get the FC above 3 no matter how much of the 10% Walmart pool essentials I add (all fresh). I know this isn’t a quick process so I’m not as concerned about visual results, but I’m stumped at why adding the “required” chems (or more) wont get me close to the shock level.

The pump is running and my cartridge filter is only lasting about 3 hours before the four filters are clogged. It’s an easy change and I have an extra set of filters so It’s only about a 10 min downtime each change.

I believe one of the issues is that I am probably at closer to 23,000 gallons instead of 18,000 gallons so I have adjusted dosages to accommodate. I brushed everything last bight(no removable stairs or rails). I also dragged the entire floor looking for other sticks/leaves/etc. and didn’t find anything which is not surprising as the pool has been vacuumed twice to great extent during opening and the following week.

I don’t think I’m testing incorrectly as the levels using the K-2005 and 1515 kit provide very similar results. How fast should I be able to see additions in the testing? When adding the 10% I walk around the pool and poor at a nice consistent pace so it is spread out - although not in the middle of course since I can’t reach that far. I’m not giving up at all...just want to make sure I’m doing all I can to be successful. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
How long are you waiting after adding the LC before you test? If you are seeing that big a drop in a very short time, we may need to investigate something

Let me know.
 
You are doing everything just right judging from the information you read and conveyed here. My little piece of advice is let your PSI or pressure dictate to you when to clean the cartridges. I understand the cartridges are going to load up fast with algae and dead algae in the pool. As a general rule of thumb whatever your clean operating startup pressure is you want to run the cartridges until you are about 10 psi above that. Then clean them. You want the cartridges a little dirty to filter out fine or suspended organics. Another thing that may reduce cartridge rinsing as the pool clears is a disposable hairnet or skimmer sock over the skimmer basket. If you go this route with the skimmer sock make sure to pay attention to how fast it loads up, because once it loads up heavy it will restrict water flow to the cartridge and pump and create a negative vacuum, putting stress on the plastic basket. SLAM SLAM SLAM and brush brush brush. Congratulations you understand more in a short amount of time than most of us did here as pool owners.

I just have one more question? Are you going to taxidermy that bird and mount it on your wall? I might have some uses for it...lol :D

- - - Updated - - -

if your FC remains at 3ppm no matter how much LC you add in a period of say an hour to two hours. As mknauss mentioned there may be a problem with ammonia and phosphates in the pool. Please report back in the LC situation and whether it starts to raise or not. Also please confirm your CYA level first. Here is the CYA to FC ration chart.

Pool School - Chlorine / CYA Chart
 

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You should clean your cartridges when your filter pressure rises 20-25% above clean pressure. That may or may not be 10 psi.
 
We have a built in visual cue as to when the filter needs to be cleaned. Our waterfall runs off the same pump (only a 3 way valve to turn it off) and when the filter is clogged to the point of cleaning (based on pressure change) the waterfall stops flowing.

In general, I’ve added enough 10% to get well into the shock level, but the highest FC I’ve seen is mid-4s about 10 minutes after adding. It certainly drops from there of course. I expected the drop but didn’t expect not being able to get to shock level.
 
Forgot to add the CYA piece - right now it is still reading below 30 as I can still see the dot with the cup overflowing. I started adding CYA Thursday night via the sock method hanging in the two skimmers, but when I looked last night the socks were still very full. Then I had an idea - I have a running waterfall that I can basically sit next to and hold the sock in front off while also pushing on it. That was the trick as I was able to get Bose doses in the pool in about 15 minutes instead of probably 6 months (estimated..ha) via the skimmer. Part of that was my poor choice in socks to use I’m sure.

Regarding the bird - my brother in law did take it and it will probably reappear somewhere in the future :)
 
I am concerned about your statement that the FC drops to 4 after just 10 minutes.

Please try this.

Remove the socks with CYA in them. Put them in a bucket for use later.

Add enough LC to get to 10 ppm FC. Circulate the pool for 30 minutes. Test FC. If 5 ppm or less, add LC to get back to 10 ppm. Circulate for 30 minutes, test, if FC 5 ppm or less, repeat. Until you get above 5 ppm FC after circulating for 30 minutes.

I am concerned you may have ammonia. And the CYA is feeding it.

Test your CC next time you test your FC. If very elevated, that is a good sign of ammonia.
 
MKNAUSS stands correct with the rule of 20-25% above clean operating pressure since it is versatile and applicable to all filter types and mediums, sand, cartridge, DE, and various type if flow and hp pumps. Which may or may not be +10 psi . I see you have a Jandy system. I have a Hayward. Hayward as per there operating manual reccomends 10 psi above clean operating pressure. So that's where I kind of came up with that.

I noticed your CC was at a 2 last test. Any updates?
 
After being gone for about 4 hours (not ideal...but kids games, etc.) came back and was at FC - 1.0, CC - 1.0. Added 2 gallons of 10% and ran for 30 minutes. Test was FC - 1.8 and CC was 1.4. It is hot and sunny today unfortunately - was supposed to be cloudy and rainy all day.

The CYA is already in the pool as of this morning so too late on that unfortunately.

Going to add more to try to get to target and see what it does in another 30 min. Will post back.

I think I’m crazy but the water seems to be noticeably more aqua color than dark green and I can clearly see our first step, second step is slightly hazy, third step is blurry then nothing after that. It could just be time of day and that I haven’t been able to see it except early morning and around 6 pm or later but ???
 
I’m not adding any more CYA - it was added early this morning.

We have success...FC at 9.4 although I had to add 5 gallons of 10 % to get there from the 1.0 measurement. Added more to get it up to shock level then I’m going to go everything I can to keep it there. Luckily the weather is kind of cooperating as a thunderstorm just ran through and cooled things off a lot as well as brought much needed cloud cover for the rest of the day.

Also, my wife took these pictures from our deck where the color change is evident. Top is today, bottom is Wednesday before we started any of this but after the last “pool guy” treatment.
 
I would suggest testing your CYA tomorrow afternoon or Monday to be sure it is there.

Take care.
 

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