Swamp Opening (Helping the In-Laws)

[UnderWaterVanya]

Wow. That is quite the soup. Something is cooking in there. Did you ever do a partial water exchange?

No water exchange. Some water has been added after a lot of backwashing.

As for the foam… my in laws have some cognitive issues (not a joke) and they try to “help”. I had asked them to start stockpiling bleach. They didn’t, they put some in. They often in the past would get the wrong bleach (scented, outdoor, etc) and put it in. This is one reason we changed to an SWG last year. I think at least some of this is due to that - but I’m also using CalHypo 65% as my CL source. Liquid is crazy expensive here (almost $10 for 121 Oz of 7.5%) and I had a very low CH level so I felt it was an option. I found 25lbs for $100 so that was cheaper than bleach as my initial starting CL. Planning to switch to bleach as the CH gets over 200ppm. It’s possible there’s something in the CalHypo causing foaming - this is granular but labeled shock. Perhaps in the 35% they’ve added flocculants and it’s foaming? I’m still pulling leaves from the bottom, so the breakdown of organic material is ongoing. CC is rather high at 2.5-3 ppm.

I noticed above your CYA was listed a zero or not tested. Did you ever add any? I wouldn't want to have unbuffered chlorine on that liner for a long time is all.

3.5 lbs of CYA added (target 30ppm). I haven’t bothered to re-measure the CYA yet due to the typical lag in it showing up on the test. However I’ve seen an improvement in the holding of Chlorine levels. I’ve added about 1” of water since the CYA was out in the pool and I haven’t calculated the drop in cya that would cause. Given the overall size of the pool I’m assuming it’s less than 1ppm drop and treating it as 30ppm until I can reliably test cya (my recall is that it can take up to a week to show up on the test).

I wish I had a picture from the pre-starting day. The water was nearly BLACK it was so green. The water that came out of the leaf net was dark green in streams. I could take a sample cup and see dark green water in it. That water is now barely tinted as is more typical. Bear in mind as well that I don’t live there so I have to work in less than idea ways. I have spent most of this weekend over there trying to make progress - which I am. Today is the start of day 4. I’m not discouraged, this is progress.

 

[Texas Splash]

Looking back in this thread, it looks like you actually started the SLAM Process this past Thursday, so much too early to really see how this is going to turn out. If you used the sock method to dissolve the stabilizer, the CYA should already be at your target of 30. The one week rule is for those who just dumped the stabilizer in the skimmer and the granules are sitting in the filter...... of washed out and lost in the case of sand. All that foam and residual junk on the water is interesting. Almost gives the appearance there is something else in the water that just chlorine and stabilizer, but we'll see. I would continue to maintain and monitor the water for the next couple days. If you don't' see some dramatic improvement by Tuesday, we may need to step back and really look at al angles.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

If your FC is above 0 then ammonia is gone, so that’s good. And the bacteria that makes it from the CYA will be dead. You’re on the right track - follow the SLAM Process and you’ll get it blue quickly, then it’s just a matter of filtering it all out.

I’ve double checked and my ammonia test strips showed zero ppm confirming that ammonia is gone. Filtering is a painful process as I don’t live there and the filter pressure goes from 13 to 20+ in a few hours. If I’m there I can catch it at about 16-17 before the circulation becomes too slow. I worry about cavitation and loss of suction as this has been an issue in the past if pump pressure goes too high. I have only one flow switch and that’s integrated to the SWG. I’d like to understand if there’sa way to tap that or get a second flow switch to control a power relay to stop the pump from harming itself if the flow collapses - but in the absence of that I switch the pump to recirculate when I can’t be there overnight. Clearly this means the particle removal will take longer but my hope is that keeping the water moving helps keep the chlorine evenly distributed and continues killing the algae. Better a white cloudy mess that slowly clears than a green swamp and a bill for a pump!

I should price another two speed pump. I had one in the past and liked that option.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

Looking back in this thread, it looks like you actually started the SLAM Process this past Thursday, so much too early to really see how this is going to turn out. If you used the sock method to dissolve the stabilizer, the CYA should already be at your target of 30. The one week rule is for those who just dumped the stabilizer in the skimmer and the granules are sitting in the filter...... of washed out and lost in the case of sand. All that foam and residual junk on the water is interesting. Almost gives the appearance there is something else in the water that just chlorine and stabilizer, but we'll see. I would continue to maintain and monitor the water for the next couple days. If you don't' see some dramatic improvement by Tuesday, we may need to step back and really look at al angles.

Agreed. The foam is very oily looking but feels more like bubble bath foam - and in the skimmer it accumulates and even flows upward over time. It is quite similar to what happens when they have put the wrong bleach in the pool. Tuesday I have eye surgery (cataract) so on Monday I’m going to have to halt my efforts for a day. I’m thinking of turning the swg on 100% for that day. Thoughts? No one available to help keep process going. Swg off now of course.

Also I was in a hurry. I used the skimmer method but in recirculate mode not filter mode. It took several hours but eventually was dissolved. I’ve used sock method many times and found a lag of multiple days on the cya showing up even using that method.

 

[Texas Splash]

Filtering is a painful process as I don’t live there

I see it's in your signature, but that's something we have to remind ourselves about in this scenario. Certainly influences the efficiency of your SLAM.

 

[Texas Splash]

I’m thinking of turning the swg on 100% for that day. Thoughts?

Normally we leave those off, but in your situation helping the in-laws, any FC is better than nothing. Do what you can based on travel time, medical, etc. Tough situation you're in.

In fact, I'm going to modify your thread title so people are reminded of this situation so they don't assume it's your home/pool.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

Normally we leave those off, but in your situation helping the in-laws, any FC is better than nothing. Do what you can based on travel time, medical, etc. Tough situation you're in.

In fact, I'm going to modify your thread title so people are reminded of this situation so they don't assume it's your home/pool.

Thank you! I have to raise salt levels to do swg if at all - I might be able to handle some bleach that day if I’m lucky on the timing of the surgery. It’s a 15 min procedure, but 90 mins pre-op plus 15 post-op plus factoring in travel times and the fact they don’t tell you the time of the operation until the day before makes for a lot of uncertainty. Additionally I know my eye will be sensitive for a few days and I want to avoid irritating it.

I may just dose the pool on Monday evening and get a friend to drop by Tuesday morning and late afternoon to top it up based on history. ( I think A gallon each dose of 121 Oz of 7.5% has low potential for overdosing and will be enough to prevent backsliding ). Pump will stay on recirculating mode that day. No filtering sadly.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

Update. I’ve moved to bleach at this point as I don’t think I can handle the CalHypo without risk to my eye post surgery (don’t want any vapor or dust of that in my eye normally but really don’t want it after surgery!)

Measured data from today:

CYA 30-40 - treating it as 40.
Water Temp 65
FC 13 prior to adding (SLAM GOAL IS 16 at this CYA)
Added a full 81oz of 7.5% before 9pm. It may be tomorrow evening before I can go back to the pool.
Pool set to recirculate on timer. Stir for 4 hours rest stir for 4 hours. This ensures I don’t run the pump dry. I’ll set it back to filter as soon as I am able to be there every few hours.

Nets of leaves are getting harder to find blindly. Far fewer than before - sometimes coming up empty. Foam was a little less today before bleach but that could be my imagination.

Thanks for listening and keeping me on track. Water is still green but lighter.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

Another update. Still foamy. Apparently my earlier enthusiasm was misplaced. The foam is pump run time related and if the pump is off for a bit it subsides.

Filter isn’t gaining a lot of pressure now so I’m running it more at a stretch without worry but that means lots of foam. Will test cya again tomorrow. Keeping it around 16ppm CL per slam for 40ppm cya. Losing about 4ppm every 8 hours. The white foam seems to protect the chlorine from the sun somewhat so my day and night loss is similar.

Tonight
Cl 12.5ppm
Cc 2.5ppm

Added enough to get back to 16.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

This foam won’t quit…

Still using bleach. Not much change. Losing about 2ppm every 4 hours. Sunlight doesn’t seem to impact this much (my theory is the white foam is reflecting away the uv). Oddly lately pump pressure isn’t rising even after many hours. The foam seems to trap a lot of surface dirt keeping it from making it into the filter but I would have expected dying algae to still accumulate.

Pool is still quite green… and foamy.

I’m keeping it elevated but it’s often falling to 11.5ppm by the time I reach the pool (4-8 hour cycles) again given work, the medical issues ongoing with the in laws, and life in general. Sigh.

 

[PoolStored]

This foam won’t quit…

Still using bleach. Not much change. Losing about 2ppm every 4 hours. Sunlight doesn’t seem to impact this much (my theory is the white foam is reflecting away the uv). Oddly lately pump pressure isn’t rising even after many hours. The foam seems to trap a lot of surface dirt keeping it from making it into the filter but I would have expected dying algae to still accumulate.

Pool is still quite green… and foamy.

I’m keeping it elevated but it’s often falling to 11.5ppm by the time I reach the pool (4-8 hour cycles) again given work, the medical issues ongoing with the in laws, and life in general. Sigh.

Please post a picture of the bleach you are using, label front and back. Also, measure CH and post that test result.

Take the ladder out of the pool and clean inside the tubes with a brush like this...and scrub the steps.

Amazon.com

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

Please post a picture of the bleach you are using, label front and back. Also, measure CH and post that test result.

Take the ladder out of the pool and clean inside the tubes with a brush like this...and scrub the steps.

Amazon.com

That ladder has been frozen in place for 15 years. No one has been able to remove it. Last CH measured was 160.

I continue to progress…

Foam is still there but not bad. Green is pale.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

Bleach pictures will be taken tomorrow. Brand varies, at the moment I have Clorox and Great Value. Both are 7.5%. Both are as basic as is sold here. Previous batch was Harris Teeter brand, which didn’t say the percentage but measured results matched 7.5% in effects and label directions matched 7.5% Clorox in recommended amounts. I only bought that bleach because of local shortages that week.

A helpful friend bought The wrong bleach - no splash - which sits in the corner forfor washing only.

 

[duraleigh]

You're in better shape than you think. Ignore the foam......SLAM value chlorine will get rid of it.

Pool will start towards aqua then blue in the next day or so, I think

Your refill water is not from a well, is it?

 

[PoolStored]

That ladder has been frozen in place for 15 years. No one has been able to remove it.

I fear that you will need to figure out how to remove and clean the ladder. The tubes are hollow and likely full of Algae.

Find a way to remove and clean the ladder...

My pool did not clear until I removed and cleaned the ladder. Here is a pic of the algae in my ladder.

3.jpg

• PoolStored
• Aug 2, 2022

4.jpg

• PoolStored
• Aug 2, 2022

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

You're in better shape than you think. Ignore the foam......SLAM value chlorine will get rid of it.

Pool will start towards aqua then blue in the next day or so, I think

Your refill water is not from a well, is it?

No - I’m using city water.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

I fear that you will need to figure out how to remove and clean the ladder. The tubes are hollow and likely full of Algae.

Find a way to remove and clean the ladder...

My pool did not clear until I removed and cleaned the ladder. Here is a pic of the algae in my ladder.

3.jpg

• PoolStored
• Aug 2, 2022

4.jpg

• PoolStored
• Aug 2, 2022

15 years of doing this. While there may be something inside it clears eventually. I might end up with slightly higher cl use but it has always eventually passed overnight loss tests. The only solution is to cut the ladder off and install a new one.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

Bleach pics

 

[duraleigh]

No - I’m using city water.

Cool. Just wanted to eliminate iron. I think you're on track for a clear pool very soon. I know you know to keep you chlorine at SLAM level.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

Cool. Just wanted to eliminate iron. I think you're on track for a clear pool very soon. I know you know to keep you chlorine at SLAM level.

Yup. Just checked it again. 15.5… adding a bit to bring it up to 16. We gained a bit of rainwater which lowered the CH from 160 to 130 so i suspect my CYA is back closer to 35 or even 30, but until I have a good sunny day I can’t accurately assess CYA. I am operating as if it is still 40 - but I doubt it. Not losing tons of fc with the cloudy weather which suggests cya has not dropped too far.