New here, slight algae problem that won't leave

First off I'd just like to say I'm new here and plan to stick around for awhile (Or at least til I have to drain my pool ;)).

So anyways, heres my problem:
Its been awhile since I've swam in my pool, maybe a week or two. And over this period, algae has started to build up around the inside of my pool, on the outer edge. Now I have been keeping up with my chlorine and algaecide treatments (But had not shocked the pool til a few days ago), but the algae built up anyways.

I have just checked my pool levels, and here they are (Based off memory and my inability to fully understand these test strips):
TH: 150
CL: Over 10
pH: 1? Maybe 2?
TA: Not sure, but maybe around 50
CYA: Not quite sure, was a very strange color that wasn't on the gradient.

So my question to you all is this: How can I get rid of this algae before I hook up my new 'sungrabber' heating system? I'd rather not further nurture the growth of the algae, but don't want to waste any more time as summer is coming to an end.



Pool specs (To the best of my knowledge):
Intex 10' 30" above ground pool
(A set, which came with a filter pump as well).


Another quick question: My pump just hasn't been pumping very well... This could just be my imagination, as Kansas is in the middle of a small water shortage thus preventing me from refilling the pool, and the out take being above the water level... But I'm still pretty sure its not sucking through the amount of water it should be, seeing as its using a clean filter.
If this really is the case, any suggestions for a replacement, more powerful pump? I just got two new "sungrabber pool heaters" for a total of 40+ feet extra length the water has to pump through before going back into the pool.

Unfortunately, the test results you have given aren't very useful--battery acid has a pH of 1, so I REALLY doubt that your pool is at ph 1 or 2. My suggestion would be to take a water sample to a pool store that uses drop-based testing, get them to run a set of numbers, and then come back and post them here so we can give you some good advice. Don't buy anything from them--they'll try to sell you everything in the store, most of which you won't need.

Basically you're going to have to get your pool up to shock level (what that level is will be determined by your CYA level, which we really need to be accurate) and hold it there until the pool clears, by testing 2-3 times a day and adding whatever amount of plain, unscented bleach is required to get back to that shock level. There also are probably pH and alk issues that we'll need to address, but maintaining shock level is the only way to kill the algae and remove it from your pool. You'll need to brush the pool daily and run your pump 24/7 in the meantime.

I don't have an answer to your pump question, but hopefully Carl or one of the others with Intex pool will jump in here and give you some useful information.

Welcome to the forum!

Janet

On the pump problem...check the impeller on the outgoing line from the pool to the pump. If you disconnect the hose right at the pump, you might find a bunch of stuff stuck there. Once that's cleaned out, it should pump properly again.

Okay well thanks to some advice I read on the forum, and your posts I (had) cleared my pool up... I shocked the pool with a good deal of chlorine, scrubbed it out, and the water was clear after a few days.
However, a week or so later we had some heavy rain for a few days and afterwards (Or during :P), the pool water was... Green, and its been getting greener ever since.
The chlorine levels are higher than 10 (Based on my test strips) and for some reason the pool filter (Which I replaced) isn't making any difference at all.

Any clues as to whats going on and how I can fix this?

Algae results from insufficient chlorine levels. You must shock your pool to the appropriate level (we need CYA results), maintain that shock level 'til your pool clears, then maintain a chlorine level sufficient to prevent algae.

Your algae issue is easily correctable but it will take more chlorine (and consistency) than you have been using and accurate test results for anyone here to recommend what that chlorine level might be.

The pool filter will clean your pool after you kill the algae but will not clear live algae from a pool.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sykoi

The chlorine levels are higher than 10 (Based on my test strips) and for some reason the pool filter (Which I replaced) isn't making any difference at all.

Any clues as to whats going on and how I can fix this?

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First please post a complete set of test numbers. You need a DROPS-BASED test kit - since you have chlorine that needs to be high to kill the algae - one that has an FAS-DPD chlorine test will be the best. Or you can purchase a 6-way test kit at Wal-Mart - you would need to dilute your pool water with distilled water to test above 5ppm.

The "guess"-strips will not be accurate enough for us to give you accurate advice.

We need to know:

FC (free chlorine)
TC (total chlorine)
PH
TA (Total Alk)
CH (Calcium Hardness)
CYA

We need the actual numbers - not "adequate/good/in range/a little low...."