First Post

[LindaP]

I just registered with the forum so this is my first post. I have used the forum quite a bit and it has been a huge help, but have gotten to the point where I just need to post my own questions. So, the first one is...I do not think we have a backwash line or whatever that is. When I vacuum it goes to the filter. Do I just need to clean the filter more often then?

[aylad]

Hi, and welcome to the forum. If you have a cartridge filter, you won't have a backwash setting. Many folks keep a spare cart, so they have one in use while the other is being cleaned.

[LindaP]

Yes, we do have a cartridge filter. When can I post my pool info in my signature? Don't seem to be able to do it.

[Watermom]

You'll be able to once your registration is complete. Welcome to the Pool Forum, by the way! Nice to have you!

[LindaP]

Thank you for accepting my registration! This site has been so helpful to me for the past year! We are renting and I convinced the Landlady to let me care for the pool myself after some unpleasant experiences with the "pool people". I could not have done it without this site. Been pretty good so far but have had a few episodes of recurring algae. Should I start a new thread for each question I have in this "getting started" topic until my "promotion"? I am currently battling green algae and summer is just starting here in Florida. Rainy season is about to be upon us and I want to stay on top of this algae thing! Thank you so much!!

[Watermom]

Go ahead and ask here and then once your registration is processed, we'll move your question into the correct section of the forum. What is the main problem you are having? When you reply, give us the details about your pool --- type, volume, size of pump, type and size of filter, and also a current set of water testing results taken with a drops-based kit preferably. We don't put much faith in test strips!

[LindaP]

Thank you Watermom. My main problem is algae growth. The water was clean and clear for a long time, but now the temps have risen and the algae is back. I have learned alot from this site and followed the instructions so far. Noticed algae growth on the sides and bottom last week. The water was clear but I could see the green stuff on the walls and floor. When I brushed it the water turned murky and greenish. I do have a Tayor K 2006 test kit.
Yesterday (Friday) afternoon
ph 7.8
FC 3.5
CC .5
Didn't go any further than that as I knew I had to bring the FC up. Put 1 gal 10% liquid chlorine (from Walmart) into the pool. FC wnt to 17.5
Sat afternoon
ph 8.0
FC 12.5
CC .5
TA 100
CH 275
CYA 60
Checked the "best guess" and according to what I read there, for CYA 60 I needed FC of 20 ppm to shock. Brushed and vacuumed again. Added 1 lb Dichlor. A few hours later:
ph off the charts +8.0 (turned purple)
FC 20
CC .5
TA 60
So, I guess my question is..should I bring the ph down and the TA up or do I wait and test again before doing anything? Running pump 24/7 till this is cleared up. Will clean filter tomorrow.
Also had to add water today, but the readings above were after the water addition.
Hayward Super Clear Plus cartridge filter
Hayward 1.5 HP pump
Has an in line chlorinator for tablets but I quit using it as I don't think it is working properly.
10,000 gal cement in ground pool
Will get model #'s for filter and pump tomorrow. Just not sure if I should try to adjust anything else besides the chlorine until the water clears up. If I understand correctly, I need to keep the shock level of 20 ppm FC . Got 5, 1.42 gallons of 6% bleach today, so have plento of that on hand. also made a spreadsheet record to record testing results and times. Told my husband it was ok for him to take a dip in the pool, even with the current conditions i.e. 20ppm FC and yucky green, cloudy water! It is just us two using the pool and occasionally one or two other people..so it really doesn't have much of a "people load". It is in full sun...but PM hours (2 pm till sundown) the deep end is shaded by a huge Mahogany tree to the west (which also adds to my frustration as it deposits debris into the pool). The pool does have a screen enclosure, but the little bits of stuff this tree sheds make their way through the screen. Thank you all for your responses! I don't know what I would do without you guys! :-)

[Watermom]

Keep the chlorine at shock level as consistently as you can. Check the pH whenever your chlorine drops below 15ppm (since you have a K-2006) since high chlorine levels will give you falsely high pH levels. If it still show above 7.8, then use some muriatic acid to lower it. Please read the link in my signature below for using acid safely.

Don't worry about TA right now. Also stick with bleach or liquid chlorine. Your CH is already at a good number, so I wouldn't use cal-hypo. I also wouldn't use any more dichlor shock powder (or trichlor pucks) since your CYA is 60. Dichlor and Trichlor are both stabilized which means they have CYA in them. You don't want yours any higher.

If you have any debris that you can scoop out with a net, do so. The less organic stuff in there, the faster you can get it cleared up. Your pump is awful big for this size pool.