Newbie with Algae (weaning off of Leslie's)

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nicoleprice0419

Member
May 25, 2024
16
Palm Bay, Florida
Pool Size
15000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Hi all,

I have had a recalcitrant algae issue.

I've been going to Leslie's for the last year or so after our local family owned store stopped servicing retail. I swear we have had consistent algae issue since we started going there! Plus we run through filters in a matter of weeks which is annoying and expensive.

We had some family emergencies and didn't treat the pool over the winter. We developed significant algae. After the emergencies passed Leslie's had us use a bottle of algaecide and super shock with Power Powder.

The pool turned blue but was very cloudy. They had us then treat the pool with Chlorbrite. We went to my mother in law's for a weekend and when we returned we had algae again! Ahhh!!! Leslie's had us treat with yet another round of algaecide and power powder which did squat all.

I googled how to resolve mustard algae (which is what Leslie's has said it is (but now I seriously doubt) and that's how I found this forum. Everything I've read aligns more to what the family pool store told us but then Leslie's told us was wrong.

Anyway, I bought a Taylor K2006 and it was delivered today. I've read a bunch of the slam resources multiple times. Here are my test results:

Chlorine - 0 (I didn't treat while I was waiting for the test kit)
pH - 7.4
Alkalinity - 70
Calcium - 420
Cyanuric Acid - <30

Based on what I read I should bring up the Cya to 30 before starting the slam.

Then bring the chlorine up to 10 (per Pool Math) which is 192 oz of 10%, and sustain this until the issue is resolved, checking 3x/day. Am I understanding the process correctly?

I also read the article about cartridge cleaning and learned about the 1:20 mix of muriatic acid to water so I bought a bin to soak the cartridge in. Question - how do I know whether I need to use TPD first?

Leslie's said never to put the robot in the pool when the chlorine is high - I see that is recommended during slam so is there a particular chlorine threshold I need to be worried about breaking my robot? Also how much do I have to worry about algae sticking around in the robot?

What else should I be considering? I'd like to really kick this quickly though based on some other algae issues I've been reading about it can take a while.

I put my pool details in the app and allowed it to be shared so hopefully it shared correctly but if not I have a 15,000 gallon in ground with gunnite and not saltwater (a SWG is on the list of things but we just recently replaced the leaky skimmer - this is a new house for us). We're located in Palm Bay, FL.

I look forward to hearing your feedback on this mess and appreciate any help. I am so over Leslie's and I feel like I am starting from square one with my pool knowledge.
 
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nicoleprice0419 said:
Chlorine - 0 (I didn't treat while I was waiting for the test kit)
pH - 7.4
Alkalinity - 70
Calcium - 420
Cyanuric Acid - <30

Based on what I read I should bring up the Cya to 30 before starting the slam.

Then bring the chlorine up to 10 (per Pool Math) which is 192 oz of 10%, and sustain this until the issue is resolved, checking 3x/day. Am I understanding the process correctly?
Click to expand...
This will be easy - a proper test kit, some patience and the SLAM Process is all you need.

Yes, let's get to CYA 30 and start the SLAM. Can you post photos of your equipment pad and the pool as it stands today?
With SLAM, you want to test and adjust dose as frequently as possible. Over this weekend, try to check every hour or two. 3x a day can work, but the more you keep FC at SLAM level, the faster it will go.

If you have leaves/debris on pool floor, the robot is perfectly fine at SLAM level. In fact, you can swim in the pool at SLAM levels with the general caveat that you should be able to see the deep end for swimmer safety.
 
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reggiehammond said:
This will be easy - a proper test kit, some patience and the SLAM Process is all you need.

Yes, let's get to CYA 30 and start the SLAM. Can you post photos of your equipment pad and the pool as it stands today?
With SLAM, you want to test and adjust dose as frequently as possible. Over this weekend, try to check every hour or two. 3x a day can work, but the more you keep FC at SLAM level, the faster it will go.

If you have leaves/debris on pool floor, the robot is perfectly fine at SLAM level. In fact, you can swim in the pool at SLAM levels with the general caveat that you should be able to see the deep end for swimmer safety.
Click to expand...
Thank you! I will post pictures of the pad and the pool in the morning. You'll probably gag. The previous homeowners fancied themselves plumbers. 🙄
 
The only chemicals you need are chlorine at this point. Maybe some CYA to raise that.

You can buy the LC from Leslies (sometimes Pinch a Penny has better deals). Use the refillable 2.5 gallon jugs. The one thing Leslies is good for is strong chlorine.

Get your CYA to 30 and bring your FC to 12.
 
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One week and 18 gallons in and I thought I would provide an update. The pool is still the same color green. However, a few changes I have noticed:

1. When I broom the pool I am no longer stirring up obvious algae. It's still in the water because it's green but when I broom it doesn't "poof up" with what looks like debris.
2. I have had two nights in a row with one ppm or less OCL.

These things have to be positive right? A sign that things are moving in the right direction even if it is still green?
 
Have you been blindly vacuuming the bottom as well as brushing? Did you test to confirm you got to 30 CYA? What's your FC and CC when doing the OCLT? Losing little overnight is progress but from what level?
 
Yes I have gotten the robot vacuum in a few times and brushing 1-2 times a day..Filter gets dirty quickly when vacuuming and increases the pressure too high to maintain it's flow (it's a suction-side robot) so I can only use it when I can get the filter clean enough to reduce the pressure to a point low enough for the robot to work. I did test to ensure I reached 30 - I also test every couple of days to maintain. I take back my oclt test statement - I realized I've neglected, like a dunce, to multiply the drops of reagent by the multiplier so my numbers are off. 🙄
 
For clarification, you have a suction side cleaner.
A robot is attached to a low voltage electrical cord which runs to a control unit.

Chances are - since you're in Florida - that you have a dinky little filter.
For some odd reason, Dlorida pool builders install undersized filters.

Fill out your signature with pool, all pool equipment (including manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit info.
This assists us in providing you help without needed to ask you each time for this important information.
 
proavia said:
For clarification, you have a suction side cleaner.
A robot is attached to a low voltage electrical cord which runs to a control unit.

Chances are - since you're in Florida - that you have a dinky little filter.
For some odd reason, Dlorida pool builders install undersized filters.

Fill out your signature with pool, all pool equipment (including manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit info.
This assists us in providing you help without needed to ask you each time for this important information.
Click to expand...
Hi - I have already filled in all of the details you requested in my profile. Can you not see it?

We've only been in the house a couple of years. So we knew the pool had some issues generally, and we are ticking them off one at a time. If the filter isn't good enough too then we will just add it to the list.
 
Profile and signature are two different things. Click the link I posted.
I really can't see much detail in your profile - that is why the signature is important.

Your filter may be just fine for day to day use if you don't mind cleaning it frequently.
The larger the filter the less you need to clean it. I hafe a 12300 gallon pool and a 420 sq ft cartridge filter. I clean it whenever the filter pressure rises 25% avove clean pressure (pump at 3000+ rpm). It's nefer fone up 25%, but I still clean it yearly.

As you have found out, your filter clogs up quickly when trying to vacuum during a SLAM.
 

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