Opened a week ago - received test kit yesterday, "fighting" cloudiness

[Tass]

Hello, after lurking around this forum for a while--and having opened last week to a green mess--I decided to buy a TF-100 test kit to guide me on next steps. We initially added 4-5 gallons of liquid chlorine, but we had a lot of leaves so we were removing those for days on end. Coupled that with FC not going up even after adding 2-3 gallons a day (and brushing and putting the robot in), it made it clear that I needed a test kit. I also used a FLOC and let it sit for 36 hrs and then vacuumed to waste with minimal results.

I could use some advice to make sure I'm heading the right way.

My readings are:
FC: 2.5
CC: 3.5
pH: 7.2
TA: 110
CYA: <20 (partially obstructed at max of cylinder)
CH: 125

I've been struggling to keep FC up according to strips I had, hence why I bought the kit and it confirmed that my CYA is way too low. I put a sock in skimmer with ~1 lb of conditioner that I had in hand and left it overnight. Today CYA reads a bit better but still <20 ppm as indicated above. My current thought is that I continue to increase the CYA with the sock method and try to add some liquid chlorine on top of it to start removing any potential things remaining. I would like to try SLAM but I want the CYA to be at least 30 from my understanding first. I am also somewhat concerned that my TA is higher than is being recommended while pH is ok but not as high as I'd like it for the long run.

Any advice is very much appreciated.

 

[Texas Splash]

Don't worry about the TA right now. FC and CYA are most important. If you are confident the CYA is low, you can add 10 ppm worth and increase the FC to 12 and begin the SLAM Process. Maintain that FC of 12 while you follow the SLAM page carefully. It will work.

Welcome to TFP!

 

[Tass]

Thank you for your response. I went ahead and poured a gallon of 12.5% bleach last night that should have increased my FC quite a bit while waiting for the CYA to increase.

This morning CYA is between 20 and 30 with no more conditioner left in the sock and FC was 1.5... I think I have quite a lot of algae still.

Do you by chance have any idea if the grayish blotches that concentrate on the steps (powder like, I brush them daily) are algae?

My robot has also been picking up what seems like clear sand in the mesh and I assumed that may be algae as well? Maybe I'm posting in the wrong forum for those last two photos but figured I'd include them just in case.

Thanks again, much appreciated!

 

[PoolStored]

Do you by chance have any idea if the grayish blotches that concentrate on the steps (powder like, I brush them daily) are algae?

Yes, algae. You need to follow this process...Link-->SLAM Process

My robot has also been picking up what seems like clear sand in the mesh and I assumed that may be algae as well? Maybe I'm posting in the wrong forum for those last two photos but figured I'd include them just in case.

Looks like sand to me. Have you done anything with the filter lately? You can also put a bit of muriatic acid on them, if they fizzle, it is calcium.

 

[Texas Splash]

Do you by chance have any idea if the grayish blotches that concentrate on the steps (powder like, I brush them daily) are algae?

Looks like that could be dead algae.

 

[Tass]

Yes, algae. You need to follow this process...Link-->SLAM Process

Looks like sand to me. Have you done anything with the filter lately? You can also put a bit of muriatic acid on them, if they fizzle, it is calcium.

I am trying to raise my CYA to ~30 before attempting SLAM since my CYA was low; in the meantime I'm pouring a couple of gallons of chlorine to keep it up.

I haven't bothered with my sand filter since I've moved in ~3 yrs ago but the pool professionals told me that was just changed and it's good for many years. I admit that I haven't opened it at all or done anything with it. This year is the first time I decided to get involved since I had such a bad experience last summer between pool stores and figuring it out on my own. Maybe I should figure out how to open my sand filter and see what's the status of it.

 

[Tass]

Looks like that could be dead algae.

Thank you, I'm brushing the sides daily and throwing the robot in as well, have a rough time using a vacuum other than the robot.

 

[PoolStored]

I am trying to raise my CYA to ~30 before attempting SLAM since my CYA was low; in the meantime I'm pouring a couple of gallons of chlorine to keep it up.

The CYA is in the pool if it is not in the sock. GO FOR SLAM. Use FC of 12 for your target. No waiting necessary.

 

[Texas Splash]

Remember, the key to a successful SLAM ProcessSLAM ProcessSLAM Process

 

[Tass]

The CYA is in the pool if it is not in the sock. GO FOR SLAM. Use FC of 12 for your target. No waiting necessary.

Understood, I will test my pool again shortly and add stuff to hit the FC then and continue with SLAM.

Should I worry that the robot is picking up sand in the mesh? It was doing it as well last year and I'm worried if part of the issues with the cloudiness may be because the filter isn't working well. I'll definitely do the SLAM method but just in terms of priorities where should it be I guess.
I will be brushing daily during SLAM but it doesn't say to vacuum at all during the process.

 

[Tass]

Remember, the key to a successful is following that page to the letter. Of course brushing/vacuuming is important as well as inspecting and cleaning every nook & cranny around the pool. Leave nothing to chance. Finally, doing your best in your daily schedule to maintain that proper FC (SLAM) level. Next time you test your CYA it should be 30. If you have doubts that it is still low, you may want to add just a little more to protect the chlorine from the sun. If the CYA is 30, the FC should be 12. If you find later the CYA is closer to 40, then the FC should be 16.

Good luck!

Thank you for the advice, I will be keeping an eye on the pool and keep adding stuff, just got pool math premium to make sure I keep track better with the logs etc.. It's hard to brush everything when I don't even see the bottom of the pool.

Thanks again!

 

[PoolStored]

Should I worry that the robot is picking up sand in the mesh?

No, that is the purpose for using the dolphin...to pick that stuff up!

if part of the issues with the cloudiness may be because the filter isn't working

Cloudiness is chemistry not filter. Having said that, if your filter is losing sand, it will likely be less efficient.

What is your current pressure on the filter? When did you last backwash?

 

[Tass]

What is your current pressure on the filter? When did you last backwash?

~10 psi from skimmer that I currently have it on. ~15 psi when it's the main drain. I switch off valve for the one that isn't used. I backwash when it's 25% above the target. In the last week that was daily or more than one times a day. I backwashed this morning that it was ~15 psi and it was on skimmer.

 

[PoolStored]

~10 psi from skimmer that I currently have it on. ~15 psi when it's the main drain. I switch off valve for the one that isn't used. I backwash when it's 25% above the target. In the last week that was daily or more than one times a day. I backwashed this morning that it was ~15 psi and it was on skimmer.

Good, then the filter is working. I'd focus on the slam first, then come back around to figuring out the sand in the pool.

 

[Tass]

Good, then the filter is working. I'd focus on the slam first, then come back around to figuring out the sand in the pool.

Copy that, I've already tested the pool and after adding 1 gal of bleach this morning, it's down to 0.5 FC. Lots of organics in there it seems like and CYA still a bit lower than I'd like. So added another gallon of bleach and will add some more stabilizer in the sock and continue slamming. I should be able to test 3-4 times a day and brush it at least once or twice. I'll throw the robot in there too but I'm worried about the high FC that I'll need to maintain and having a robot in there.

Thanks for your help!