Chem log, to see....

[Charlie_R]

I have a link to the .pdf from our local water company, a detailed water quality report. Thanks to this forum, I would not have known to look for it!

http://www.amwater.com/files/MO_2010519_CCR.pdf

And the typical water report, showing the CaCO3 (calcium carbonate?) levels:

http://www.amwater.com/files/MO_2010519_TWQ.pdf

This is where I got my info about the fill water. Rather nice, I must say, saves me from having to do several bucket tests.

[Charlie_R]

I now know for sure what ate all the chlorine in my pool.

Listening to the pump, I heard air in it. Based on the construction of these intex single units, that meant that my filter was getting clogged. Took it out, and replaced with another.

Looking at the filter I removed, it had a definite green look to it. I can only assume that this indicates the start of an algae bloom, even though the water is still clear.

I am currently ramping up the chlorine levels today, but I'm unsure of how high I need to go. I'm thinking based on the best guess chart, I'll need at least a 15-20 level. How close am I? CYA level is holding between 70 and 80.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++


Just got in from brushing the pool. For sure, it was the beginnings of an algae bloom. Floor feels a whole lot different after brushing than before. I'll keep the chlorine levels high for the next couple of days, with daily brushing.

Anything else I should be doing while this is going on?

[Charlie_R]

How blind can one person be?

Even with reading multiple threads describing the "dusty bottom" or "mustard" algae, I still thought that the dust and dirt collecting in the small wrinkles on the bottom of our pool was just that. Dirt.

We've had this from day one, and I didn't think anything of it until today. When I looked at the pool early this morning, there wasn't very much of this "dirt" in the pool. It has visibly increased in just a few hours, even with a high level of chlorine in the pool. Dilution method with the OTO shows a TC of ~20, yet this stuff seems to still be growing.

Should I bring the chlorine level up even more?

I have no choice now but to order the K-2006 kit ASAP. To any other members that are following this thread.......Please don't make this same mistake, buy the kit as soon as you possibly can! This guesswork on chlorine levels alone makes the kit very much worth having. What I can tell from this experience is that knowing only the TC is definitely NOT enough. We really do need to know the CC level in order to properly adjust the dosage levels.

[Watermom]

Good advice, Charlie! You do need to know the CC readings. Glad you are going to order the good kit.

[Charlie_R]

Thank you Watermom.

Obviously, I wasn't doing as well as I thought.

Next question -- What do I do about the "swamp water" smell? Water is still very clear, but when stirred as in brushing the pool or actually in it, any agitation of it brings up that odor.

Markedly less growth of the algae overnight, and through this morning, so MAYBE (but I doubt) I'm at least pulling even with it, if not gaining a little ground here.

And yet another question:

Can algae spores live through a winter, dried out? I ask this to check a theory of mine. We didn't clean the ladder or any of the rest of the equipment before using it this year, so I'm thinking that is where this stuff hibernated, just waiting for us to give it a new home.

[Charlie_R]

Update:

Swamp water smell has finally given way to a "bleachy" smell when stirring the water. Dilution method shows a drop overnight, from ~20 to ~16.

Pool floor shows no new growth overnight, will continue to try to hold ~20 chl for the next few days.

Am ordering the K-2006 this morning, as soon as the bank opens (got to have money in the online use account).

[Charlie_R]

KIt ordered. Should be here 27th to 30th July.

[aylad]

"Bleachy" smell means the chlorine is actively engaging in a battle with the algae--it means you're making progress!

Janet