Taming the big green monster

[mariane]

Day 1: FC started at 0, added to 35 (bumped up)
TA 110, pH 8, CYA 60,

 

[Mdragger88]

Why going so far over slam level?
Its 24ppm for cya of 60
Did you lower ph to 7.2 before raising fc?
Don’t forget to yank & scrub the algae hotel… I mean steps

 

[Newdude]

Oh NO !!!! But welcome back anyway.

Keep us posted and we'll help if you need.

 

[mariane]

Why going so far over slam level?
Its 24ppm for cya of 60
Did you lower ph to 7.2 before raising fc?
Don’t forget to yank & scrub the algae hotel… I mean steps

I knew we would be away from the pool for at least 5 hours and unable to check it. I forgot to check pH beforehand so I won't be messing with it very much. The algae hotel is "sidelined" on a tarp during the winter and then during the opening slam.

 

[mariane]

Oh NO !!!! But welcome back anyway.

Keep us posted and we'll help if you need.

Thanks. Michigan weather has been very unstable and constantly changing. We had to go without the winter cover this year. But it seems to keep the birds away.

 

[mariane]

Pics after a few hours before we had to leave:

 

[Mdragger88]

Already looking less mean green! Hit it hard when you get back. When fc has fallen to 10ppm or less check & adjust that ph & slam on I know what you mean about the crazy weather- we had an ice storm & then torrential rains & tornadoes in short succession around here, now its like summer already.

 

[mariane]

Green no more (hahaha) monster slaying Day 2:
FC 15.5, CC .5, TA 80, pH 8 (had added some MA yesterday but knew it wouldn't change much)
Bringing FC up to SLAM again and adding a little MA to inch down the pH but not too worried about it. I tried to show the bottom with settling dead algae but didn't show up very well.

 

[Texas Splash]

Transition is good. I would hold on any pH testing or adjustments at this point until you complete the SLAM. PH testing is not reliable when the FC is so high. Keep up the good work.

 

[Mdragger88]

The ph test can read falsely high with fc levels above 10ppm.
Don’t test/adjust ph until fc falls to 10ppm or below.

 

[Newdude]

Go Mariane GO !!!!!

 

[mariane]

Thanks for all the encouragement.
I've been following TFP guidelines for years but never documented the opening SLAM.
So I thought it would be a hoot this time since it's never been this green before and NEVER thought I'd be opening in APRIL.

 

[Texas Splash]

So I thought it would be a hoot this time since it's never been this green before

And a magnificent green it was. Key word there - "WAS". Always good to see clear visual evidence of a SLAM in action.

 

[mariane]

And a magnificent green it was. Key word there - "WAS". Always good to see clear visual evidence of a SLAM in action.

We always encourage people doing a SLAM to make sure they maintain shock level FC. My pool is proof of how quickly SLAMs can work.
Pics at the end of Day 2 SLAM. A little dark but it does look clearer.

 

[mariane]

The blue floatie is the thermometer and rocks taking the first swim around the pool. With temp at 60, still too cold for this summer girl.

 

[mariane]

Day 3 SLAM. Well sort of.
Revenge of the green monster hit this morning.
A fitting came loose during the night or early morning, and we lost several hundred gallons of water.
The pump was still running, did not cease up and water was still dumping into it. It didn't flood ours's or the neighbors' yards because we have a sewer access grate in the back of our yard. Though it did cause a lot of night crawlers to come up to the surface. LOL
Currently refilling the pool which will take most of the morning.
No point taking any readings. I'm also low on regents, ordered more, arriving Thursday. More hair nets Friday.
The plan was to vacuum and then backwash since the pressure had gone up. Won't be doing that any time soon.

The water does look clearer.

 

[Texas Splash]

A fitting came loose during the night or early morning, and we lost several hundred gallons of water.

Yikes! Hope everything gets better today.

 

[Mdragger88]

I would go with a glued union at that spot since you already have pvc. Those rubber things are terrible. Hose clamps are also terrible . I assume you have that fitting so you can winterize. A union will make that a snap.
In the interim you can sure your bets with 2 hose clamps on each side of the rubber thing. Right next to each other .

 

[Mdragger88]

I would also still add some liquid chlorine to avoid losing momentum - pour it in the hose stream. Brush it around. It’s definitely looking much better!

 

[Newdude]

I would go with a glued union at that spot since you already have pvc. Those rubber things are terrible

+1. There's 2 kinds of Ferncos. Ones that have popped off, and ones that wait until you turn out of the driveway on your way to work a double shift before they pop.