My algae issues

[True Blue]

What a great forum! I've already learned so much.

When I opened up my pool, the water was clear, but there was a dark sediment on the bottom, though I could see the liner quite a bit. When I turned on the pump, within a short time, the pool became murky.

Yesterday morning, after having a problem with my multiport (that has its own thread), I returned with chlorinating granuales. While I was working on the multiport, I put the granuales in, along with algaecide, and within minutes, my water was green and had a brown slurry on top. I assumed this to be algae. That's when I began an internet search for advice and found this forum.

I added bleach about an hour ago and tested the water with my basic test kits. The chlorine was clearly WELL above the 5 ppm value, but the pH was showing up as 6.8. The pH was also low yesterday, so I added some pH plus last night, so I expected that to go up, though after reading around on here, I have learned that a high pH might make that reading off.

I also used a "dip and stick" test and the results show:

A free chlorine completely off the charts...it goes up to a 10 ppm (which is indicated by blue and mine is purple)
An alkalinity of about 100 ppm
Stabilizer...hard to tell, originally it looked to be less than 30 ppm, but later looked to be above 50 ppm

I have an above ground, sand filtered pool.

My main question is do I need to do anything to remove the brown slurry from the top? It doesn't go through the filter (which I read on here is actually a good thing), but when the pump is running, it just seems to get worse. I scooped a great deal of it out last night with the skimmer. That seems to be a waste of time, though.

I'm a little afraid that I will look out the window and my pool will be overflowing with brown foam. :lol:

Any advice is appreciated.

[Watermom]

Send some pics to poolforum AT gmail DOT com showing the problem.

When you do, reference this thread by copying and pasting the url so we will get the pics with the right thread.)

[True Blue]

Photo has been sent. The slurry is now more of a scattered mess, so it is disappating.

[PoolDoc]

Dunno what you've got. How much chlorine did you add, and what kind was it?

Ben

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n3LDL6X68AE/TePyj4l90yI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/aFNbl17pvoI/s800/Scum-015-ed.jpg

[True Blue]

It was either a di- or tri-chloro product. It was 8 oz, I believe. This photo is an "after" photo...after adding 6 3 qt. bottles of chlorine. Originally, it looked like the foam on from a tap beer.

[Watermom]

My bet is that it was caused by the algaecide that he added. Some of those will cause foaming.

[True Blue]

My bet is that it was caused by the algaecide that he added. Some of those will cause foaming.

"He" is a "she" but nonetheless, I think that you are right. It continues to dimish.

[Watermom]

Oops! Sorry about that. Glad to hear it is improving. This is one reason that the only algaecide that we recommend for use is 60% Polyquat and even at that, most times you don't need any algaecide at all.

[True Blue]

Oops! Sorry about that. Glad to hear it is improving. This is one reason that the only algaecide that we recommend for use is 60% Polyquat and even at that, most times you don't need any algaecide at all.

Trust me, I've learned my lesson. I'll be interested in what you all recommend for winterization...particularly to prevent algae next season.

[Watermom]

We'll still be here in the fall. It's a big cycle. We help clear green pools in the spring. Then, when fall rolls around, we help with closing so that hopefully there will be fewer green pools next spring! Actually, the Pool Forum staff typically all pop onto the forum at some point most days in the winter, too. Just to see if anybody needs help and also because this forum is such a part of our lives that we would be kind of lost without it!

[True Blue]

I just tested my pool with my new K 2006 test kit. The DPD power top was open, so I lost most of the powder, but I was still able to get a reading with a bit that I found in the container.

Here are my results:

free Cl = 7.0 ppm
combined Cl = 0
pH = 7.2
CYA = 0

I went ahead and added another 3/4th gallon of bleach. I added five on Monday and have added 1 or 2 each day since. Due to the CYA reading, I went ahead and added some clarifier.

Yesterday, I could vaguely see the bottom of the pool for the first time.

I have a 7600 gallon above ground pool.

Any recommendations beside patience?

[Watermom]

Keep adding bleach. In your pool, each quart of 6% bleach will add about 2ppm of chlorine. Until you get some stabilizer in there, you'll probably need to test it at least morning and evening and each time, add enough bleach to get back up to about 10-12pm. The more times per day that you can test and shock the pool back up, the faster it will clear. Also run the pump 24/7 while you are trying to clear this up. Backwash the filter as needed. Once you get it clear, then you can add some CYA.

By the way, I don't understand your sentence where you said that "due to the CYA reading, I went ahead and added some clarifier." Clarifier has nothing to do with CYA. CYA is cyanuric (or isocyanuric) acid. Not clarifier. Don't add anything else right now except bleach and Borax if your pH drops any. And, you're right --- patience is needed.

I would also call the company you bought the kit from and tell them the powder was spilled when you got the kit and ask them to send you a replacement bottle ASAP.

EDIT: What company did you buy the kit from? Please email us at poolforum AT gmail DOT com and let us know.

EDIT again: I read of two people today who had their kit arrive with spilled DPD powder. That is why I thought there might be an issue that we needed to look at. But, when I investigated it further, I realized that it was the same poster (True Blue) who had mentioned it in two different threads rather than two separate incidences. Thus, it is probably nothing we need to be concerned about. If it happened several times -- maybe -- but only once, I doubt it. I'm sure if you call them, they will replace it. Especially since we have problem sent hundreds of customers their way!

[True Blue]

Will do.

Also, I mentioned in another thread, I've been having problems with my multiport. I've determined that it isn't filtering properly. My pressure guage was broken, so I couldn't quite tell, but I suspected a problem. I read in another thread on here how to test for proper filtration using DE. I did that and my suspicions were verified. My question is, do I need to replace only the multiport? I assume that the filter does nothing more than hold the sand.

[Watermom]

Post this new info about your multiport in that thread instead of this one. You're more likely to get equipment help there rather than here in this algae forum since some of our equipment people don't frequent this section as much as that one.

[True Blue]

My multiport issue is solved, so now I am just working on getting that "perfect" pool water. At the moment, the water is slightly hazy. I'm not sure that it even has any green hint to it. Here are the results from my morning testing:

FC= 20
CC= 0
pH=7.2
Alk= 85

I know that the pH is a touch low. I have always had difficulty in maintaining a higher pH. it was a 6.8 yesterday, so I added some pH plus (had it left over from last season - next time I'll use the BBB method).

Here are my questions:
1) How do I maintain a more controlled pH?
2) Do my readings indicate that my pool is safe to swim in? I'd really like to get in to vacuum it out.
3) How do I go from being a "restricted user" to a regular one?

[Watermom]

Try bumping your alk up a little with some baking soda to maybe around 100 or 110. It may help make your pH more stable. Start with a lb. of baking soda and test after a few hours to see what that does for you. Then redose if needed.

So that I don't have to reread this whole thread, please post your CYA reading.

Regarding not being a restricted member anymore, the fastest way is to bump up to subscriber level.

[True Blue]

Try bumping your alk up a little with some baking soda to maybe around 100 or 110. It may help make your pH more stable. Start with a lb. of baking soda and test after a few hours to see what that does for you. Then redose if needed.

So that I don't have to reread this whole thread, please post your CYA reading.

Regarding not being a restricted member anymore, the fastest way is to bump up to subscriber level.

CYA level is 0.

[Watermom]

I just skimmed the thread again and found this statement that you made earlier:

"Stabilizer...hard to tell, originally it looked to be less than 30 ppm, but later looked to be above 50 ppm"

So, now you're saying it is 0? Have you added anything with CYA in it other than the 8-oz. bag you mentioned earlier? Any trichlor pucks? Any actual CYA bought separately? When was the last time you tested CYA?

[True Blue]

I just skimmed the thread again and found this statement that you made earlier:

"Stabilizer...hard to tell, originally it looked to be less than 30 ppm, but later looked to be above 50 ppm"

So, now you're saying it is 0? Have you added anything with CYA in it other than the 8-oz. bag you mentioned earlier? Any trichlor pucks? Any actual CYA bought separately? When was the last time you tested CYA?

Those readings were with an old test kit and then with some old "dip and stick" checks. Once I received my K 2006 kit, I tested it and it was a zero. This was late last week.

I have added another bag of shock and used a couple of trichloro pucks. I have not tested the CYA since late last week. It appears that I was 3 more CYA tests left in my kit.

[Watermom]

Since you have no CYA, or very little, it is ok to go ahead and use dichlor shock and trichlor pucks for awhile, but monitor the CYA level periodically or else you may end up with too much. Until you start to get some CYA built up in the water, you may have to add bleach morning and evening. Once you start to see a CYA reading, you'll be able to test and dose in the evenings only. You asked if you could swim with cl at 20 ---- that is pretty high but with little cya, it won't stay that high very long. it is probably ok to swim but I think I'd wait until it came down some if it were me, maybe to 10 and then I'd wear an old suit. You really don't want to take the cl that high as it may bleach out your liner. I wouldn't take it any higher than 10 right now. Keep filtering and hopefully the haze will soon be gone. You're almost there ...............

EDIT to add: Dichlor adds 9 ppm for every 10 ppm FC added and trichlor adds 6 ppm for every 10 ppm FC.

[True Blue]

I just wanted to say that my pool looks great now (and has for a couple of days). I have been able to bring the chlorine level down to a managable amount and proceed with the summer fun! Thanks to everyone who offered advice. No more algaecide when I open the pool up.

[Watermom]

Congratulations! And, just look at all you have learned about pool care! Now, time to swim!