Weird Black stuff floating on surface of water in skimmer

[duraleigh]

It will not be helpful to switch to a 25 ml sample. Stay with 10ml.

The procedure for drops based tests are pretty precise. Holding the reagent vertically, you apply just enough pressure to the reagent bottle to allow the drops to fall off the tip.

Then, you continue to add drops (and swirl) until you see NO FURTHER color change. Subtract that last drop and that is the endpoint of your test.

 

[IceShadow]

Make sure to rinse out the vial after use. Probably worth scrubbing it with a brush too, just to make sure there's nothing in there that can interfere, at least before the next test. I assume the reagents aren't that old?

 

[everytuesday]

@IceShadow, @duraleigh - Thanks for the advice & tips!

The Regent was about 9 months old, not too old I hope. New stuff comes Sat so I'll try again with more precision. Side note: almost all the bugs are gone in the skimmer now. I've been scrubbing the walls of the skimmer both above and below the water and that has seemed to help a lot in addition to the water balance corrections I've made from your help. Water also seems more blue, but now I'm noticing like streaks or areas of slight discoloration on the pools floor surface that look like it's stained or something. I've been brushing it the last 2 weeks and it's helped a bit but not much. I'll see if I can get some good pics this weekend and post. Maybe you have some more helpful advice for me

 

[IceShadow]

High FC levels can make metals fall out of solution. Check with a vitamin c tablet first. If that lifts it then it’s iron.

 

[everytuesday]

High FC levels can make metals fall out of solution. Check with a vitamin c tablet first. If that lifts it then it’s iron.

Finally had some time this week to get back on the pool and wow that Vitamin C actually worked - I'm shocked! Great suggestion. I used it on the first step that I always thought was like a light brown/beige color but after the Vitamin C test - it's now way more light. I found this tutorial - is it still relevant to follow?
Ascorbic Acid Treatment

Aside from that my last question I have is I've noticed I had to use a lot more PH down this summer than normal. What would cause the PH to go up quicker than normal? Would the extra Iron in my pool cause that?

Cheers,
Spencer

 

[YippeeSkippy]

We prefer you to use Muriatic Acid instead as ph Down isn't appropriate on plaster or salt cells.
Do you have fountains or spill over spa? Those can raise pH. How high is your TA? High TA causes pH to get "pulled" up faster also.

Maddie

 

[everytuesday]

We prefer you to use Muriatic Acid instead as ph Down isn't appropriate on plaster or salt cells.
Do you have fountains or spill over spa? Those can raise pH. How high is your TA? High TA causes pH to get "pulled" up faster also.

Maddie

Oh thats really good to know! Thanks for that tip, I didn't know that. I think that's also what I need to clean my salt cell with correct?
No fountains or spill over area. At the time my TA was 70 but I also haven't been checking it regularly until about 2 weeks ago when I started having my bug problem and everyone has been helping me a ton! This forum is the best. I've just noticed this summer I've gone through twice as many bags of PH down, which now I will be switching to Muriatic Acid. I'm hoping that I can get to a place where I only need to adjust PH weekly, is that realistic? I probly have about month before I need to close the pool and the original owner said I just need to put 2 chlorine tabs a month in the skimmer during the winter months until I reopen. Does that sound right?

Thanks again @YippeeSkippy !

 

[jesse-99]

From the earlier posts, can anyone share what a FrogLog is? I ended up relocating about 60 frogs earlier this summer when my pool was (very) late to opening because of a delayed replastering, and my pool was a pond for months. Which brought, what seemed like, a zillion frogs. Heh. I turned into a professional frog catcher after awhile.

 

[DrewLG]

From the earlier posts, can anyone share what a FrogLog is?

FrogLog: Keep frogs, and other animals out of your swimming pool
Dead Animals in Pool Significantly Decreasing Enjoyment

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Regarding the pH..... I'm surprised you ever had to lower your pH with a TA of 70.... Salt Cell users often find their pools like to hang at 7.8.
When you next feel you need to lower the pH, talk to us first so we can advise.

Only clean the the salt cell when you can actually see build up on the plates. Try a water spray first... last option would be diluted MA. Each time you clean the plates with acid you lose lifespan of the precious magic metals on the plates that make them work to make chlorine.

I don't ever close my pool. Here's the TFP guide to doing it though-

Closing an In Ground Pool

Winterizing a pool is essential for keeping your in-ground pool protected during cold-weather months. This Pool Repair guide will show you how to do it.

www.troublefreepool.com

Maddie

 

[everytuesday]

Regarding the pH..... I'm surprised you ever had to lower your pH with a TA of 70.... Salt Cell users often find their pools like to hang at 7.8.
When you next feel you need to lower the pH, talk to us first so we can advise.

Only clean the the salt cell when you can actually see build up on the plates. Try a water spray first... last option would be diluted MA. Each time you clean the plates with acid you lose lifespan of the precious magic metals on the plates that make them work to make chlorine.

I don't ever close my pool. Here's the TFP guide to doing it though-

Closing an In Ground Pool

Winterizing a pool is essential for keeping your in-ground pool protected during cold-weather months. This Pool Repair guide will show you how to do it.

www.troublefreepool.com

Maddie

Oh ok good to know about the PH - ill do another weekly test tomorrow and hopefully the ph is on point.

Wow I did not know that about the Cell thank you so much!

Ok so based on that article you linked I don't close my pool either, I just turn off the heat and stop adding salt and then put a cover on it until spring.