Algae problem

[piggulet]

Our pool pump broke and in the time it took to get it repaired, we developed a "severe" algae problem. We went to our pool supply store and was sold Super Soluble and Banish (Bioguard products). We followed the instructions to the letter and things seemed to be improving. We were concerned after about 4 days that the progress seemed to stop. We were told that it was a time factor involved, that it would take about a week. After a week, we saw that the green started to redevelop. When we took another water sample in, we were told that the problem was that there wasn't enough chlorine. This was very frustrating, because in all the instructions that we were given, we were not told to continue to use the chlorine sticks. Perhaps, it is well-known to always keep the pool chlorinated, EVEN DURING TREATMENTS, but we are first-summer pool owners. I really feel like they should have told us to keep chlorine in the pool. We just assumed the chlorine would interfere with any of the treatment. Now we've been sold flock and shock to treat. We will be vacuuming the pool (on waste) tomorrow to remove the sediment from the flocking. I am hoping that this will resolve the problem; however, I am willing to accept any advice that any more experienced pool owners my have.

By the way, we have an in-ground, vinyl-lined, 18 X 36 pool. I do not know the make of the pump, but we use a Hayward Sand filter. Our pool is about 24,000 gallons.

Please let me know any additional information you may need.

Thanks, in advance for any help provided!!!!

-piggulet

[Watermom]

We'll need to look at some current water testing results taken with a drops-based kit. Do you have a good test kit? We think that everyone needs a good test kit. The one we recommend is the Taylor K-2006 or 2006C which you can get through the test kit link in my signature below. Try and order it early in the morning while the seller listed is Amato Industries. Sometimes they sell out during the day, but usually restock overnight. Some other sellers don't sell it for as good of a price.

Since the kit is only sold online, you need something to use until you get it. Get a cheap OTO (yellow drops) / phenol test kit, or if available at YOUR Walmart (check availability (http://www.walmart.com/ip/HTH-6-Way-Test-Kit/17043668)), get the HTH 6-way DROPS test kit, which is compatible with the Taylor K2006. Test the pool as soon and you can, and post the results. If you get the 6-way kit, ALSO test the water you FILL the pool with, especially if it's a well, and post THOSE results as well. (The HTH is the best available kit you're likely to find locally, but it's not the K-2006. It can only provide rough measurements chlorine levels above 5 ppm, and it measures "TOTAL" hardness, rather than "CALCIUM" hardness, which is not ideal.)

Please fill in your pool's information in our pool chart. It makes it easier for us to be able to help you.

Pool Chart Entry Form (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHBLTzdpX19DZVlzUTRLOTU5ZFlZSWc6M Q)
Pool Chart Results (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ahjo2iDF0aJgdHBLTzdpX19DZVlzUTRLOTU5ZFlZS Wc)

Also, tell us exactly what all you have added to your pool --- meaning ingredients and not just "shock."

[aylad]

Essentially, you need to run the chlorine up to a "shock" level--but that level is based on your CYA level, which is why Watermom is asking for test results. You need to hit that shock level, maintain it until the green is gone, and until you can go from sundown to just before sunup without losing any chlorine--which requires being able to test your own water, which is why Watermom is highly recommending that you get a test kit and test your own water. Besides, it will keep you from being "pool-stored"--told to buy things that aren't going to help, such as the floc that they sold you.

If you'll post the test results Watermom asked for, we'll be happy to help you get it cleared up! Oh--and welcome to the forum!!

Janet

[piggulet]

Thanks for the replies. I am very excited to have y'all's unbiased help. It seems very evident that you have a genuine desire to help people. Thank you! We have been using test strips to test the water; but, my husband is going out right now to purchase the cheap drops kit and we'll order the Taylor today. So, I'll post the results after church today. Thank you, again!

Sincerely,
piggulet

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

What we've put in so far:

2 weeks ago: 10 lbs. Sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione dihydrate (99%), 1 qt. Banish - 3.3% Copper, 96.7% other ingredients containing polymeric polyacrylate and gluconate stabilizing agents.

2 days ago: 5 lbs. Sodium dicholor-s-triazinetrione dihydrate (99%), 3 sticks (maintaining) Trichlor skimmer sticks, Bioguard powerfloc (I don't see ingredients identified), 4 lbs. Sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione (63.05%), copper citrate (.73%), other ingredients (36.22%)

(EDIT by moderator: 2 posts in queue were combined.)

[piggulet]

We've tested the water and the free and combined chlorine is at 0.6; pH is 7.2

[PoolDoc]

Add 2 gallons of PLAIN 6% household bleach ASAP, and 3 more gallons tonight. If you have the SLIGHTEST green left, add 6 gallons rather than 3. Brush the pool AFTER adding the bleach

Test the chlorine in the AM; it SHOULD be very high. If it is not, add 2 more gallons, and then repeat the 6 gallon dose the following night.

Add 1 box of borax, slowly to the skimmer. Repeat this dose daily till your pH is above 7.4



To do more, we need to know your CYA (stabilizer) level -- 'guess-strips' are especially inaccurate at measuring CYA.
+ Here are links to the kits we recommend:

HTH 6-Way Test Kit (http://www.walmart.com/ip/HTH-6-Way-Test-Kit/17043668) @ Walmart
Taylor K2006A (3/4 oz bottles) (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002IXIIG/poolbooks) @ Amazon
Taylor K2006C (2 oz bottles) (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002IXIJ0/poolbooks) @ Amazon

[piggulet]

Thanks for this info. We went to 5 area Wal-marts to get the 6-way Drops test kit, and none of them had it. We even went into a couple of pool supply stores. All we could find was the 3-way. We have ordered the Taylor kit and it should be on its way.

After the first round of bleach / borax dosing our readings are:

Free chlorine 1.5
Combined chlorine 3.0
pH 7.6

We still have green color. We are going to add another 2 gallons of bleach this morning and another 6 tonight. Please advise if this is incorrect.

Until we get our Taylor kit is there another way to test the CYA level?

Thanks,
Kimberly

EDIT by moderator: 2 posts waiting in the queue were combined.

[Watermom]

You may be able to find a reputable pool store who can test the CYA for you. Make sure they use the 'disappearing black dot' test and not strips, though.

While you are waiting for your kit to arrive, you can use a dilution method to force your kit to read higher. It isn't super accurate, but better than nothing. Info about it here:

Testing Without a Good Kit (http://poolsolutions.com/gd/how-to-test-your-pool-without-a-good-testkit.html )

Keep adding bleach. And, your pH is fine at 7.6.

[bri3180]

How does the disappearing black dot test work? Do I wait till it begins to disappear or till I can no longer see it(as far as knowing when to stop counting drops)?

[Watermom]

You do not count drops on the CYA test. You simply read the side of the test block at the point when you can no longer see the black dot at all.

[PoolDoc]

Might help to watch the CYA (stabilzer) video on this page:
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?17157

[piggulet]

Okay, our Taylor kit finally arrived!!!! YAY!!!! Here's the test results:

FC: 1.4
CC: 1.0
pH: 7.0
TA: 60
CH: 100
CYA: less than 30 ppm

We've been continuing with the 2 gallons of 6% bleach in the morning and 6 gallons in the evening. The pool looks much better, but still a tinge of green. And, of course, cloudy. We appreciate all of your help!

I know we need to raise the pH which I believe is to be done by adding borax. How do we raise the CYA?

I've been searching the pool forum for information on dosing charts, but having difficulty finding them. I will happily do my own calculations (and likely come to the forum for confirmation) if you can direct me to the dosing charts for adding bleach/chlorine.

Thanks, again!

-Kimberly

[Watermom]

Add a half a box of Borax slowly to the skimmer while the pump is running, breaking up any clumps. After a few hours, retest and redose until you get the pH where you want it.

CYA is raised by either adding some directly as a separate ingredient or using a stabilized form of chlorine such as dichlor or trichlor. Do you have either one of those at home already?

[piggulet]

We have no dichlor or trichlor left. We've been planning to simply use the BBB method going forward (after correcting this problem with algae), so we haven't invested anymore in the sticks.

-Kimberly

[piggulet]

So, do we continue with the bleach dosage, as previously prescribed while adding the borax?

[Watermom]

Yes. And, you can just add some CYA separately. When you buy it, it may be labeled as conditioner or stabilizer. Just check the ingredients. If it says cyanuric or isocyanuric acid, it is the right stuff. You'll probably want to add about 4 lbs. You can either add it to the skimmer and then run your pump 24/7 for four or five days and don't backwash while it is dissolving or you can put it into an old sock and hang it in front of the return jet. Giving the sock a squeeze every once in awhile helps it dissolve faster. But, you'll want to wait until your algae issue if cleared up before you add any.

[piggulet]

Thanks for everyone's help in getting the green out of our pool. We are now free of the green; but, unfortunately, I cannot say we're clear. We have significant cloudiness in the pool. Here's the latest numbers:

pH : 7.6
chlorine: 4
Calcium hardness: 125
CYA: < 30

Do I find the conditioner or stabilizer in pool supplies? Is there a recommended brand?

Thanks for your continued help! We are enjoying the pool, again; but, I'd love to get it crystal clear, again. :-)

-Kimberly

[Watermom]

At this point in the season, places like Walmart are clearing out much of their pool supply sections so you may have to buy CYA at a pool store. I don't know that a particular brand is necessary but check the label. You want cyanuric or isocyanuric acid and not a bunch of other added junk.

Did you ever buy a K2006 kit? It sure would help to know your CC reading. If your water is cloudy, you should run your pump 24/7 and backwash when the pressure rises 8-10psi over clean filter pressure.

[piggulet]

Yes, we have the Taylor kit.

Sorry that I didn't report the CC. My husband ran the test and just told me the chlorine was 4. I didn't think to ask him about the two different measures for chlorine, as I am still new to this whole testing thing, also. I'll run another set of test this morning and post them. We have been running the pump 24/7 and the psi on the pump has not gotten above its normal operating level.

Again, thanks for the help!