SLAM and OCLT

[Mattou01]

Am having issues passing OCLT and got to thinking. I’m down to only a couple of places algae could be hiding. I have built in steps- ladder in the wall of deepend that I have no idea how to remove or get behind. I have not removed the skimmer plate that goes around skimmer opening, and I have not pulled Lights completely out of niches. I have Hayward universal color logic lights. I have removed face plates off the lights and cleaned the front of the lights real good and behind faceplates. I haven’t removed main drain plates.

Here is my question, my pool is clear and I’ve been losing about 2-4 ppm overnight. My pool gets heavy use up until about 8:00 or so. Kids, dogs, adults. Then I usually take readings at 9-10. Is that enough time or should I wait and do my OCLT on a night when it wasn’t used?

 

[Texas Splash]

An OCLT from about 10:00 pm until say 6:00 am is plenty to determine if there is an algae problem. You shouldn't have to mess with those Color Logic lights if they are the smaller 3.5" LEDs. I would investigate the skimmer plate and drain covers though.

 

[Mattou01]

It’s the bigger lights. How do I remove skimmer plate? The drains look clear and clean to me. Didn’t want to remove drain covers but I can. I will say the lights looked nasty around the outside of them. I was afraid to remove them the rest of way out because I couldn’t figure out how they were in there and how to get them out.

 

[Texas Splash]

It’s the bigger lights.

Hmmm. I'm not sure those have the hollow niche behind them. I've not tinkered with those before. Have you @PoolStored?

How do I remove skimmer plate?

Please post a pic of your skimmer opening.

Didn’t want to remove drain covers but I can.

We have seen members remove the cover to be greeting with a plume of algae clouds. Something to consider.

 

[PoolStored]

Hmmm. I'm not sure those have the hollow niche behind them. I've not tinkered with those before. Have you @PoolStored?

Rotate the ring counter clockwise to remove. To remove the light form the niche, there should be a screw holding it in place. After removing the screw, rotate the light counterclockwise to remove from niche.

 

[Mattou01]

Pic is from winter a couple years ago. How do I remove drain covers? Just turn pump off and unscrew?

Those lights go into a shallow niche as shown.

 

[Texas Splash]

Your skimmer is a little different than mine, but here is mine as an example. Take your time with that plastic.

 

[PoolStored]

We have seen members remove the cover to be greeting with a plume of algae clouds. Something to consider.

@Texas slash is right on. You should remove the cover and scrub covers and inside the drains. Turn the PUMP OFF. Dive down and remove covers with Philips head screw driver. You might find using a dumbbell to hold you down helps. DO NOT ATTACH WEIGHTS TO YOUR PERSON...ONLY HOLD IN YOUR HANDS.

 

[PoolStored]

Those lights go into a shallow niche as shown.

That is a different niche, so my post does not apply and it doesn't look like the lights you posted in post #3.

 

[Mattou01]

Yea it’s hard to find good pictures and good info.

 

[Mattou01]

So I’ve taken the trim piece off, but not pulled the light out of the flange or tries to remove flange. I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to get it back in there. So the light flange, the drain, and skimmer plate…those are the only other places, assuming there isn’t anything behind the in wall ladder.

 

[Mattou01]

You know I’m half tempted to call my pool company and ask them to come out and pull both lights and clean behind them good, take both drain covers off and clean them, and pull skimmer plate off front and clean behind it. Or…keep my FC at 6 and be happy with a clear blue pool for now.