Still figure out my salt water pool and chemical balancing

[DBman]

Hey all! I'm relatively new to Phoenix and maintaining a salt water pool here. My understanding is that it's really important to get pH right and then chlorine (I don't think our chlorine generator does much with the temperature of our pool water in the summer). I've struggled a bit with algae and although I do have the water clear, I have hard dark spots of algae that I figure I need to get in and scrub with a wire brush or something (we have a pebble-tech surface). I know my phosphates are high but I've been focusing on getting the chlorine sorted out. Here are my chemical numbers:
FC is low I know--I just shocked it so I have to test again. Pool is nice an clear though.
pH: 8
Alkalinity 105
Calcium hardness 385
Cyanuric Acid 35
Iron: .1
Copper .2
Phosphates 690
Salt 2863

Any advice would be most welcome!

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Welcome to TFP!

We can help you manage your pool, but you can't rely on pool store tests or advice. IF your numbers are accurate, you're off to good start. You'll need to make sure you're pool is algae-free by completing an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. If you fail the test, you'll need to complete the SLAM Process. To do either of these, you need a TFP recommended test kit. The kits at TFtestkits.net provide the best value for the backyard pool owner. Make sure you choose the salt option.

Please take a few minutes to complete your signature...

Create Your Signature - Further Reading

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Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

BTW,,

To confirm you have black algae, see if you can scrape up some of the substance with your fingernail. If it smears green on a white piece of paper, its likely black algae...

Black Algae

This guide provides a step by step procedure for eliminating black algae in your concrete or gunite pool. Read full post here.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[proavia]

How are you test your pool water?
Test Kits Compared

Pool store test results aren't worth the "free" price you pay for them.

Have a read thru
Pool Care Basics

A properly size SWG can easily keep up with chlorine demand in PHX.

 

[jark87]

My understanding is that it's really important to get pH right and then chlorine

If listing in order of priority, free chlorine is by far the most important, along with CYA, since those 2 work together. You’ll find many TFP members maintain FC in the 8-10 range vs most pool store recommendations of 3-4.

 

[proavia]

Fill out your signature with pool, all pool equipment (including manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit info.
This assists us in in providing you help without needing to ask you each time.

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

 

[DBman]

Welcome to TFP!

We can help you manage your pool, but you can't rely on pool store tests or advice. IF your numbers are accurate, you're off to good start. You'll need to make sure you're pool is algae-free by completing an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. If you fail the test, you'll need to complete the SLAM Process. To do either of these, you need a TFP recommended test kit. The kits at TFtestkits.net provide the best value for the backyard pool owner. Make sure you choose the salt option.

Please take a few minutes to complete your signature...

Create Your Signature - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

Okay thank you. I've completed my signature as best I can. I will also have a look at the test kits (yes, I've been going to a pool supply store to get those and I can see why you don't find those reliable). Is it worth adding phosphate remover and scrubbing the black algae or should I work on the other chemicals first?

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Ignore phosphates unless levels exceed 1000 ppb. Maintain FC/CYA Levels based on you CYA level, and you won't have to worry about phosphates at all.

First confirm you have black algae with the smear test. If, so, continue to work it with a brush. Until you get you test kit, make sure you're adding at least 4 ppm of FC daily. PoolMath will help with the calculations. Post up your test results when you get your kit.

Phosphate Removers - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[TinFoilHat]

Add your chlorine generator to your signature too. That's one of the key points here and then add your test kit when you get.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

On your signature, make sure you add info on your SWG including the volume rating.

Also add details about your pool here: https://www.troublefreepool.com/account/account-details