Really need help!!!

[amye324]

My pool water is swampy green and I don't know what to do!!!! I tested my chlorine level today and it was pretty much nonexistent, also my ph level was a 8.2. So I shocked the pool and the pump is running. Was this the correct thing to do?! I desperately need help!!! Also I have the mustard algae

[Watermom]

Hi amye324 and welcome to the Pool Forum.

It's much easier to answer your questions, when we know something about your pool. We often 'waste' the first few posts back and forth collecting information. So, please complete our new Pool Chart form -- it takes about 30 seconds, but will save much more than that.

Pool Chart Entry Form (http://goo.gl/cNPUO)
Pool Chart Results (http://goo.gl/PXaLu)

Also, please tell us exactly what all you have put into the pool - meaning ingredients and not just 'shock.' Your pH is way too high. You want it to be between 7.2-7.8. Use a little muriatic acid to lower it. Please read the using muriatic acid safely page in my signature.

How do you know you have mustard algae? Do you have a test kit and if so, what type? The only one we recommend is the Taylor K-2006 which you can get through the test kit page in my signature.

[amye324]

Ok i shocked my pool last night with zappit 73 and the water is still the same today. I was reading on a post where the pool doc helped you get through your swampy water. I read he said make sure the filter is on recirculate and ours is not its on filter. So I think we have a big mess on our hands now!!! I got some test strips from walmart(hth 6-way test strips) but I also have a 5 way test kit(poolmaster premier deluxe 5-way test kit). I tested my pool again this evening with the strips and my kit
Results from strips
TH:400
FC:5/10
PH:7.5
TA:120
CYA:100

RESULTS WITH TEST KIT
CHLORINE:2.0
PH:7.6
TA:80

Probably 5 days ago we added a gallon of bleach bc I read that some where. Thank you for responding I am in desperate need!!! I hope things aren't too bad with my pump which by the way is a Hayward Pro Series High Rate Sand Filter. I believe we have mustard algae bc its a yellow color dust that is on the sides of the pool and can be brushed off easily. Here are 3 pictures
http://i1249.photobucket.com.KILLED/albums/hh515/amye324/IMAG1748.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YOGanJF_Qgk/T-JSSQg4lpI/AAAAAAAADT0/S0tN2B8JTaA/s800/web%2520IMAG1748.jpg
http://i1249.photobucket.com.KILLED/albums/hh515/amye324/IMAG1749.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7SW-7DSX3UI/T-JSSAxVNnI/AAAAAAAADTs/ycjtLs0HHOU/s800/web%2520IMAG1750.jpg
http://i1249.photobucket.com.KILLED/albums/hh515/amye324/IMAG1750.jpg

[amye324]

I posted a reply with all my info but I don't see it so I'm not sure it posted. I guess I will need to post it again

[aylad]

It's here...

With a CYA of 100, (and it actually could be much higher than that) a chlorine of 2 ppm is not nearly enough chlorine to kill any kind of algae. We can't rely on the test strips to give accurate enough readings to treat water problems. You're going to need a drop-based kit that can test CYA, pH, Cl, TA, and CH. The K-2006 is the kit we really recommend, and is the one Watermom already suggested in her post above. In order to figure out how high your chlorine needs to be to kill the algae, we need a good CYA number. You can try getting a pool store to test for it, but make sure they're not using strips to test, otherwise, it's a waste of time. If you can, check your WalMart and see if they have the hth 6-way drop kit. It has a CYA test in it, but only enough reagent for about 3 tests. I would take a sample of your pool water, dilute it 1:1 with distilled or tap water, test that, then multiply your result by 2. Give us that number, and we can help you go from there.

Also, please fill out the pool chart that Watermom posted--the blue title is the link, just click on it and fill out the requested info.

[PoolDoc]

Membership upgraded; Pool Chart link fixed.

Looks like mustard algae gone wild. Needs LOTS of chlorine, or one of the alternatives.