Please help my pool boy. Pics for reference.

[timburke6]

My pool boy is struggling with a green pool that keeps returning. If this keeps happening the pool boy will quit and ill have to hire someone. please help. Full story and pictures of pool and pool boy for reference.

We canceled our pool service around 1 year ago and started to maintain ourselves. Found this forum, got a robot and the TF test kit. We have since had algae that has kept returning driving my pool boy mad. Pool its about 10k gallons, with 3 return jets a skimmer and main drain. Initially we were just maintaining the chemicals but were not brushing weekly. We thought that the lack of brushing caused the green pool to keep returning. So recently the brushing was kept up at once or twice a week minimum. After we got the pool clear we would clean out the main filter. Recently I pulled the light out to see if a secret algae colony was hiding behind there. Unfortunately it seemed clean. We can't figure out why this algae keeps returning because we never let the chlorine get low. Im starting to think its circulation related. Not sure if my jets are pointed in correct setting or if I need to speed up pump.

Pool also has a variable speed pump and a SWG. Currently running ~35GPM for 10hrs a day for 21k total gallons filtered. Is that a good program? Still learning how to set up my variable speed pump. (I also have solar so in spring and fall I need to run faster to get it up to solar on my roof).

 

[timburke6]

Also have more picture but keeps saying too large to add. Any advice. Ive already compressed down to ~1mb...

 

[timburke6]

Picture of return locations

 

[ajw22]

Also have more picture but keeps saying too large to add. Any advice. Ive already compressed down to ~1mb...

Picture Posting and Resizing - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[ajw22]

Does your pool pass a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test ? If you fail you need to follow the SLAM Process

It is helpful to us helping you if you enable sharing of your PoolMath logs so we can see your testing and chemical history.

I hope you, or your Pool Boy, log all tests and chemical additions in PoolMath

Return position or pump speeds do not cause algae.

 

[timburke6]

Having trouble attaching pictures pool boy for reference.

 

[timburke6]

Does your pool pass a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test ? If you fail you need to follow the SLAM Process

It is helpful to us helping you if you enable sharing of your PoolMath logs so we can see your testing and chemical history.

I hope you, or your Pool Boy, log all tests and chemical additions in PoolMath

Return position or pump speeds do not cause algae.

Thanks for the reply. We've slammed a bunch, I guess we're due for another. I think the last green pool she just dumped a bunch of chlorine in and let it come down naturally.

All the pool test results are logged but all the additions are not... We normally test then add acid as need but don't log, then add again next week.

 

[ajw22]

Thanks for the reply. We've slammed a bunch, I guess we're due for another. I think the last green pool she just dumped a bunch of chlorine in and let it come down naturally.

All the pool test results are logged but all the additions are not... We normally test then add acid as need but don't log, then add again next week.

TFP Pool Care Methods work for many thousands of people if correctly followed.

We can point out the errors of the ways if we can see them.

All I can say is she is not following TFP methods.

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[timburke6]

Does your pool pass a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test ? If you fail you need to follow the SLAM Process

It is helpful to us helping you if you enable sharing of your PoolMath logs so we can see your testing and chemical history.

I hope you, or your Pool Boy, log all tests and chemical additions in PoolMath

Return position or pump speeds do not cause algae.

Would not brushing the pool regularly cause algae if the chemicals are maintained correctly?

 

[ajw22]

Would not brushing the pool regularly cause algae if the chemicals are maintained correctly?

Yes.

Brushing breaks up the biofilm on algae and lets chlorine attack it. Without brushing algae chlorine is less effective and algae can survive in chlorinated water.

 

[Lake Placid]

SLAM level for a CYA of 60 is 24. From the data that has been provided it appears this level was reached once on April 4. Until you follow the SLAM process to a T you won’t eliminate your algae.

 

[Newdude]

Its hard to tell with the reflections, is the pool cloudy or crystal clear but tinted ?

we never let the chlorine get low.

Please define low. What is the regular FC range ?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Tim,

Sorry to be blunt, but...

If you have to SLAM more than once, then you simply are not doing it correctly and following all the steps..

It is almost impossible to get algae if you have a SWCG, unless you just don't keep your FC in the proper relationship with your CYA.. Period.

FC/CYA Levels

As others have pointed out, the very first step is to do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test, to confirm that you actually have algae..

Please do the OCLT and report back with the results.. Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[timburke6]

thanks for all the replies guys. We’ll follow slam to a T and post progress, thanks for the help everyone.

Historically we have followed slam to a T or so we thought and then a month or 2 later it comes back, but figured that was because we were not brushing enough.

Will post progress of slamming, thank for all replies

 

[timburke6]

Its hard to tell with the reflections, is the pool cloudy or crystal clear but tinted ?

Please define low. What is the regular FC range ?

6-10 estimated FC range

Pool generally remains clear with green almost pollen like substance on the floor. When you brush it comes up in a cloud.

 

[Bperry]

thanks for all the replies guys. We’ll follow slam to a T and post progress, thanks for the help everyone.

Historically we have followed slam to a T or so we thought and then a month or 2 later it comes back, but figured that was because we were not brushing enough.

Will post progress of slamming, thank for all replies

If algae comes back then the SLAM was ended early or the FC is allowed to get too low after it’s done. Logging all test results would help track down what’s happening.

 

[dereksanders]

Have you scrubbed every last inch, crevice, and niche? You have algae hiding somewhere.

 

[Newdude]

6-10 estimated FC range

How often do you typically test ?

The FC is dipping if you get alage after fully compmeting a slam. There are no two ways about it. Its not the *anything else*, it's the FC dipping.

The problem with SWGs is that we get lulled into testing less frequently than we should. You can go 2 full days with the swg off and it makes it back up by the next test and everyone thinks they maintained the FC the whole time.

 

[timburke6]

Have you scrubbed every last inch, crevice, and niche? You have algae hiding somewhere.

that's what I thought so I pulled the light to clean behind it... it was clean unfortunately

 

[timburke6]

How often do you typically test ?

The FC is dipping if you get alage after fully compmeting a slam. There are no two ways about it. Its not the *anything else*, it's the FC dipping.

The problem with SWGs is that we get lulled into testing less frequently than we should. You can go 2 full days with the swg off and it makes it back up by the next test and everyone thinks they maintained the FC the whole time.

roughly weekly. figured we had a pool company taking care of the pool and they came once a week so we should be able to do the same. obviously were doing something wrong.