New here

[lne216]

I have been reading a lot lately on here. Great information!

Our AGP is 15 years old. I have had a problem with algae for a while. Added 4 bottles of Clorox this morning and I finally have a blue pool. Not crystal clear yet but getting there. I need stabilizer so that may help.

Just wanted to say Hi and thank you!

[Watermom]

Hi and welcome! You wanna give us some current testing numbers taken with a drops-based kit for us to look at and see if we can help you get it crystal clear? Also, tell us the volume of your pool and the type of filter and size of pump. What all have you put in your pool other than the bleach?

[lne216]

Pool water 13,500 gallons - 24' round, 52" high walls, almost to the top with water.
ph 7.4
TA and Calcium Hardness were within normal range. I think 100 for TA and 250 for CH. I did them yesterday. I can't remember. lol.
And like I said, CYA is too low. I have to go out and buy stablizer.

Sorry, I forgot the size of the pump. 1.5 hp pump because I have a solar heater panel. Pool heater is being bypassed at the moment.

Filter is a new Hayward EC50AC d.e.

[CarlD]

Hi!

Good news: You never have to worry about calcium again as long as it's below 400ppm. Calcium does nothing for vinyl pools. only concrete ones. I test calcium once or twice a summer.

We don't tend to use phrases like "normal range" because there is too much variance depending on the pool, and too many different definitions of "normal".

We need to know two (or 3) numbers: 1) your stabilizer (CYA) level 2) your Free Chlorine and either TC (total chlorine) or CC (combined chloramines) because TC = FC + CC.

Carl

[lne216]

I think the problem may be the filter. I noticed green water coming out of it today. The algae must be clogging it. It is a D.E. filter.

I went to a pool store and got these readings
free and total chlorine were above 10 because I really shocked it
combined chlorine was less than .2 ppm
TA 150 but they said since I just added it would take a week to level off
ph 7.5
CH 335
CYA 12 they said to add 2 lbs but I can't because I have to keep changing the de in the filter

[Watermom]

A DE filter will be clogged quickly by live algae. Kill the algae first with shocking the pool and then let your filter work to filter it out.

Your CH is pretty high. I would suggest not using any cal-hypo in your pool.

Add the CYA to an old sock and hang it in front of the return jet. That way it will not be backwashed out. Every now and then give the sock a squeeze to help it dissolve faster. Two pounds will only add another 20ppm of CYA for a total of 32 in your pool (if the 12 is right). You may end up deciding to take it just a little higher. We usually suggest 40-50. But, you can decide that later. See how the amount you are adding now works for your pool.

It is best if you test your own water. You'll usually get more reliable results than you'll get from a pool store. The kit we recommend is the Taylor K-2006 or 2006C (same kit, larger bottle of some reagents). If you buy it through the Amazon link in my signature, the Pool Forum makes a little money on the sale which helps us keep this form online. Only buy if the seller is Amato Industries, however. Some other sellers are substituting the K-2005 which you do NOT want. If Amato isn't listed, wait a day or two and try again. They seem to restock pretty quickly when they sell out.

A request from us: Make a signature line. To make it easier for us to help, if people will create a signature line with their pool specs, it keeps us from having to reread through posts to find out basic information. You can create a signature by clicking on 'settings' in the upper right-hand corner of the homepage. In your sig, please put type of pool, volume, type of filter, size of pump, whether or not you have a SWCG or any water features and the fact that you do or do not have a K-2006. Thanks!