Start of algae?

[mrm1682]

Pool has been clear and balanced all season until last weekend when we had a little get together for the holiday. I didn’t shock around then but I bumped up the SWG to 100% the day before and during the party. Day after I went back to my normal setting and FC stayed the same throughout this. My CYA was a bit lower at 50 though so I added to get it to 60 and after about 3 days I noticed that the water was getting slightly cloudy and then yesterday there was a greenish powder on the bottom. I’m figuring start of algae bloom so I’m starting SLAM today with hopes to get this cleared quickly.

I’ve been going fine all season so far with CYA around 40-50 and FC has been 4-5 and water is clear. Like I said before, I added to get CYA up now that it’s getting super hot and sunny and now I’m noticing the algae bloom. Am I better off keeping CYA lower when I had a clear pool or am I just seeing the effect of not bumping up my FC level now that CYA was slightly higher? Or is it just a little bit of everything (party, lower CYA, warmer water, etc)?

 

[Texas Splash]

I think it was a perfect storm. Sure, your CYA was a bit low by TFP standards, but you are in an area where you might get away with it for a while. Now it's warming up, and if the FC fell slightly, you combine that with the heavy bathers load from the party, and it just all caught up with you.

You have the right idea now though. Knockout the SLAM and be sure to pass those 3 SLAM criteria do you can get back to a nice swim season for the next couple months.

 

[mrm1682]

Thanks. That’s what I was thinking as well but I like to think out loud sometimes. Starting SLAM today.

 

[mrm1682]

This might be annoying giving a quick update but FC dropped 3 pts overnight and CC was 1 this AM. No visible algae even when brushing (saw some fine dust in areas last night brushing). Added some chlorine to get back to SLAM level. Guess I’m moving in the right direction if no visible algae but numbers say I have some work to do still.

Just curious, what is considered adequate to keep level during SLAM? FC I’m sure will drop during the day while I’m at work but how much of a drop is considered adequate?

 

[mrm1682]

Seems like I passed and done with SLAM as FC is stable overnight, CC is 0, and water is clear. Can I really be done after just 2 days? I read about folks SLAMming for days and days but I guess it depends on algae load?

Now I keep SWCG off as it has been and let FC drift to maintenance range…correct? Then balance whatever else might be off once back to normal range?

 

[Texas Splash]

Can I really be done after just 2 days?

If you caught it early enough, sure. It was intersting your previous post about a large overnight loss and elevated CC, but apparently you got it right if you passed last night.

Yes, you can leave the SWG off until the FC falls back to your normal range. Then balance anything else as needed. Congrats on competing your SLAM.

 

[mrm1682]

Yeah I was confused about it myself but I tested twice this morning an hour apart and same result. Maybe yesterday’s test was off? Either way it’s clear and hopefully stays this way for the rest of the season!