Quick summary - Pool has been well balanced without issues for about a year now - I slacked on the maintenance for a few days while traveling, got a new robot for the pool so I wasnt brushing as often, and with low FC levels it comes as no surprise I spotted a very tiny algae bloom in the corner that doesn't get good water circulation. I was relying on CC levels to let me know if things started slipping. Tests have always came back at 0 - Shame on me.
Did a slam per CYA levels at 60, reasonable job at keeping it there for 2 days and brushing but with my work schedule I slacked off and went back to regular maintenance despite failing OCLT (typically 1-1.5, maybe 2 on a bad day or timing of my tests).
Chlorine demand has been crazy high the past 2 weeks but haven't had time to slam and dedicate myself to seeing it through. We're talking a gallon of 10% every day (~6+ppm) to maintain. We do however have no shade and full direct California sunlight the entire day - although failing OCLT is the nail in the coffin.
Cleaned the filters again, still consuming high chlorine. Before scheduling time to properly slam again I did some research and decided to remove the light/nitch. Pictures attached of what I found behind it - Can't tell if Algae or some dirt/silt - But hasn't been removed as far as I know since the pool was installed 5 years ago.
1) Likely this is the reason i'm failing OCLT? Algae/Not algae? Or did I just not stick with it long enough?
2) If algae - I don't own a pool vacuum and water is not at slam level (currently 10ppm FC). That being said I don't want to disturb the algae and cause a full bloom before I'm ready to slam. What is the best option here?
Current results:
FC: 10
CC:0
pH 7.6
CYA 60
Did a slam per CYA levels at 60, reasonable job at keeping it there for 2 days and brushing but with my work schedule I slacked off and went back to regular maintenance despite failing OCLT (typically 1-1.5, maybe 2 on a bad day or timing of my tests).
Chlorine demand has been crazy high the past 2 weeks but haven't had time to slam and dedicate myself to seeing it through. We're talking a gallon of 10% every day (~6+ppm) to maintain. We do however have no shade and full direct California sunlight the entire day - although failing OCLT is the nail in the coffin.
Cleaned the filters again, still consuming high chlorine. Before scheduling time to properly slam again I did some research and decided to remove the light/nitch. Pictures attached of what I found behind it - Can't tell if Algae or some dirt/silt - But hasn't been removed as far as I know since the pool was installed 5 years ago.
1) Likely this is the reason i'm failing OCLT? Algae/Not algae? Or did I just not stick with it long enough?
2) If algae - I don't own a pool vacuum and water is not at slam level (currently 10ppm FC). That being said I don't want to disturb the algae and cause a full bloom before I'm ready to slam. What is the best option here?
Current results:
FC: 10
CC:0
pH 7.6
CYA 60
