Potential Problems with Routine/Preventive Use of Poly 60 Algaecide?

[AidanDanner]

Thanks to you kind folks at TFP, I've been maintaining my own (Los Angeles) pool for a number of years now. My water's crystal clear, always balanced to TFP-recommended levels, however I've found that during the hottest summer months here in Los Angeles, I've needed to add, once weekly, a couple of ounces of 60% polyquat into my (16,000-galloon) pool to prevent the occurrence of algae. Beside the cost of the product, is there a downside to the routine use of Poly 60 algaecide -- can it cause other problems?

 

[dfwnoob]

If you have algae, your water is not balanced and your chlorine is dipping. It's really as simple as that. My pool, in brutal TX heat has never, ever had algae. I have never used algaecide. The only thing that goes into my pool is salt and MA.

Your post from the 9th says you're running around 4 FC. If you bumped your CYA to 40, 3 is absolute minimum. Your chlorine is likely dipping during the day, leading to algae growth. You need to SLAM and always maintain your FC within the target range. For 40 CYA, that would be 5-7 FC. Never let it drop lower.

How are you testing?

 

[proavia]

Post a full set of current test results from one of the recommended test kits.
Test Kits Compared

FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Water temperature
Salt (if you have a SWG)

Or you can use PoolMath and link the results to your forum account so we can see them.

How are you chlorinating your pool?

Chances are your FC has dropped below minimum between the times you have tested.
FC/CYA Levels

Does this algae show up in areas of poor circulation?

You shouldn't need to add any polyquat to a TFP maintained year round pool.

Fill out your signature with pool, pool equipment (including manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit info.
This assists us in providing you help based on your pool specifics without the need to ask you every time.

https://www.troublefreepool.com/account/signature

 

[AidanDanner]

I've done what you asked and added the pool equipment in my signature; apologies for not doing so earlier.

I'm chlorinating every morning with 10% sodium hypochlorite. In the heat of the summer, I'm using 48 ounces daily.

The only other thing that I find that I need to do (besides the polyquat that we're discussing), is I add about 24 ounces of 14.5% hydrogen chloride/muriatic acid, once a week, to manage PH.

As to where the algae appears, I've had zero algae since last summer, however when it did appear last year, I found that it would first show up in spots that had the least amount of sunlight, which aren't necessarily areas with poor circulation.

I will post water test results shortly! Thanks for all your help.

 

[Jimrahbe]

I've needed to add, once weekly, a couple of ounces of 60% polyquat into my (16,000-galloon) pool to prevent the occurrence of algae.

Aidan,

That is just not required for anyone...

I have no problem if that is what you want to do, but it is not at all necessary, and want to make sure others reading this thread do not think it is needed..


Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JJ_Tex]

I'm chlorinating every morning with 10% sodium hypochlorite. In the heat of the summer, I'm using 48 ounces daily.

I'm curious to see your full set of numbers, but 48oz only adds 2.3 FC daily. Unless you have a lot of shade, I would expect you to lose more than than on a daily basis.

PS - Good luck with Hilary, hope the rains are less impactful than currently predicted.

 

[AidanDanner]

Gentlemen, no surprise, you are correct, my FC drops down too far over a 24-hour period:

FC 2.2
CC 2.3
pH 7.8
TA 95
CH 264
CYA 39
Water temp 82 degrees

This might be a question for another forum, but what's best to correct this: increase the amount of chlorine that I use in my morning routine, or begin introducing chlorine in the evening as well? (I've been toying with the idea of deploying an auto-chlorinator, and will seek advice about that on another post.)

Thank you! Now to see what happens with Hurricane Hilary. The overflow system in this pool is going to be SORELY tested.

 

[proavia]

What test kit are you using or are those pool store results?
Test Kits Compared