Yellowish FC results?

[RubiDiesel]

So I started another thread in the newb section about getting my pool in shape. ( Please forgive me! ) but rather than go off the tracks with this new question, I thought possibly a new thread since it’s a different topic.

I’m a few days into SLAM, probably about 12 gallons of liquid chlorine so far. But my FC levels don’t go from pink to clear, it’s almost a yellowish brown. My last test was 16ppm chlorine (32 drops at 10ml, pool math calls for 28)

I read somewhere it may be due to high chlorine levels, which make sense if it’s 16ppm, but is that normal for the SLAM test? My CYA is 70.

Also, just to confirm, I’ve read this 100 times on this site, but for my own sanity, we can swim in the FC 28ppm with 70 CYA correct? I’m having my sons birthday, so I just want to make sure I don’t shock my way past being able to swim, or kids get hurt.

Thank you all!

 

[PoolGate]

Are you measuring pH or chlorine?

 

[HermanTX]

I’m a few days into SLAM, probably about 12 gallons of liquid chlorine so far. But my FC levels don’t go from pink to clear, it’s almost a yellowish brown. My last test was 16ppm chlorine (32 drops at 10ml, pool math calls for 28)

Are your reagents within a year of when they were purchased? Also confirm that you are using the FAS/DPD test with powder and drops. Is the powder in the R-0870 grayish? What is should be.
I have never had yellowish water but sometimes it is not "clear", I like to call it "colorless"
Try another test . To measure a FC of 28 the number of drops has to be 56 of the R-0871.

Also, just to confirm, I’ve read this 100 times on this site, but for my own sanity, we can swim in the FC 28ppm with 70 CYA correct? I’m having my sons birthday, so I just want to make sure I don’t shock my way past being able to swim, or kids get hurt.

you are correct however, you should also be able to see the bottom, for safety reasons. If you cannot see the bottom then you should reconsider anyone swimming.

 

[wireform]

Can you tell us step by step how your testing.

 

[RubiDiesel]

Are you measuring pH or chlorine?

Chlorine.

 

[RubiDiesel]

Are your reagents within a year of when they were purchased? Also confirm that you are using the FAS/DPD test with powder and drops. Is the powder in the R-0870 grayish? What is should be.
I have never had yellowish water but sometimes it is not "clear", I like to call it "colorless"
Try another test . To measure a FC of 28 the number of drops has to be 56 of the R-0871.


you are correct however, you should also be able to see the bottom, for safety reasons. If you cannot see the bottom then you should reconsider anyone swimming.

I’ll check the date. It seems pretty bright white. However after about the 3rd day, the scooper is pretty stained black. I’ve tried cleaning but it doesn’t seem to do much.

Yes. The pool looks pretty great. It’s just still not holding at the recommended 28. After about 4-5 hours it will drop 5-10pm. 16ppm at noon. 16ppm this morning and 10 last night. Adding just over 2 gallons of 10% each time

 

[RubiDiesel]

Can you tell us step by step how your testing.

Well I have been testing by filling a 5 gallon bucket with water for testing, however I thought that may be contaminating it so I just did it straight from the pool and it was the same.

Fill a 10ml sample in the large side, two of the small spoon full, swirl to mix, turns bright pink, I add drops slowly, while continuing to swirl until it gets light pink then slow down a little more drop by drop till pink is gone, then divide drops in half.

 

[Newdude]

Well I have been testing by filling a 5 gallon bucket with water for testing

I use one of the kids Tupperware cups from when they were little. It's probably 6 oz and I dump most of it out when I'm done. It's way easier to carry into the kitchen. Just sayin.

 

[HermanTX]

I’ll check the date. It seems pretty bright white. However after about the 3rd day, the scooper is pretty stained black. I’ve tried cleaning but it doesn’t seem to do much.

Yes. The pool looks pretty great. It’s just still not holding at the recommended 28. After about 4-5 hours it will drop 5-10pm. 16ppm at noon. 16ppm this morning and 10 last night. Adding just over 2 gallons of 10% each time

You may want to clean the vial and scooper with vinegar.

If you are losing 5-10ppm FC after 5 hrs then there is some active algae still in your pool. If you have a ladder, remove it and clean it thoroughly. Remove all water toys and clean. If you have a light that can be removed from the niche, pull it and clean behind it.
Do not use a pool cover when doing a SLAM.

You just need to continue to SLAM until your use of LC slows down.

 

[RubiDiesel]

You may want to clean the vial and scooper with vinegar.

If you are losing 5-10ppm FC after 5 hrs then there is some active algae still in your pool. If you have a ladder, remove it and clean it thoroughly. Remove all water toys and clean. If you have a light that can be removed from the niche, pull it and clean behind it.
Do not use a pool cover when doing a SLAM.

You just need to continue to SLAM until your use of LC slows down.

Well, can’t do anything now, noticed the pool was low; only to walk back and realize the filter drain plug was leaking a ton. I thought I had not tightened it enough when I cleaned the filters last weekend, so I went to tighten more and it completely sheered off. So now I just have a dead pool until I can get the broken threads out and start the pump again.

How long do you think it can go with no pump before noticeable algae growth? We have my son’s birthday party Saturday. I’m just completely defeated at this point.

 

[wireform]

The plug comes relatively easy as nothing is really holding it back.

 

[Newdude]

How long do you think it can go with no pump before noticeable algae growth?

Forever. Circulate the water twice a day with a submersible pump. Add chlorine while doing so.

Any pool store should have the drain plug. Sometimes they come in handy.

 

[RubiDiesel]

The plug comes relatively easy as nothing is really holding it back.

I just don’t have anything to get ahold of, top or bottom. Bottom is inches from the ground, I bust my knuckles just getting it back on after filter cleaning. I guess just tap the edges with a screw driver and see if that works to back it out?

 

[HermanTX]

I just don’t have anything to get ahold of, top or bottom. Bottom is inches from the ground, I bust my knuckles just getting it back on after filter cleaning. I guess just tap the edges with a screw driver and see if that works to back it out?

One idea. Remove the top half , the cartridges and also spin off the unions that attach plumbing to the filter inlet and outlet. Now you can handle the bottom half on a workbench to remove the broken plug. Insert a new one ne and reassemble.

 

[wireform]

Use a needle nose plier with the tips at the red markings, while applying slight pressure turn counter clockwise and it'll come easily.

 

[RubiDiesel]

Forever. Circulate the water twice a day with a submersible pump. Add chlorine while doing so.

Any pool store should have the drain plug. Sometimes they come in handy.

Excellent idea. I dropped the pump on the bottom step and have the water flowing in about 10 feet down. (Longest hose I had available) I guess I can just leave that as my circulation until I get it fixed right, no need to really turn it off?

Use a needle nose plier with the tips at the red markings, while applying slight pressure turn counter clockwise and it'll come easily.
View attachment 604362

like opened all the way? It’s hard to tell but that’s just hallow. The silver and reddish below is the pad and rocks. So it’s just the black circle that is in there

 

[wireform]

Opened up enough to grab those two spots.

 

[Newdude]

guess I can just leave that as my circulation until I get it fixed right, no need to really turn it off?

No need to turn it off. No need to run it around the clock either. 30 mins would be plenty to mix up the pool. Twice a day would be even better.

like opened all the way?

Yes. Or however it works.

You could also drill 2 holes for the needle nose to stick into if it's slipping too much. Bring them in a little from the edge to ensure you're only drilling the plug.