New homeowners with GREEN pool :(

[madwil]

you should be turning off the pump while changing the valve for most models... and you shouldn't get a gush of water when you change the valve, I don't think.
1- turn off pump
2- attach vacuum
3- change valve to waste
4- turn on pump
5- vacuum til pressure increases (usually about 10 psi above clean filter, but do not exceed filter max!)
6- turn off pump
7- backwash filter/ clean or replace cartridge
8- change valve back to waste if still needing vacuum, and vacuum some more
9- if no more vacuuming, restore valve to filter mode
10- turn on pump

The more frequently you can test Cl, and add however much to get back to shock levels, the quicker it will clear- so keep adding Cl regularly until it holds Cl level over night!

[mrsbanks]

Ok, sorry I haven't updated, been crazy. My free chlorine level has been at the 20 mark now since yesterday. And it even rained real good yesterday. My PH is dropping to the low low mark. So I guess I need to add more Borax? It's looking a little better. Still green but getting better. Am I still doing everything right? I've been doing what y'all have said...except I've stopped adding bleach cuz it go so high. Is that right. Here's a before and now pic of my pool

[PoolDoc]

1. Yes, add borax, if your pH shows low. But, you might want to set some pool water out in a shallow glass bowl, in the sun, and test the pH at the end of the day. Hopefully, the chlorine will be low enough to get a valid pH reading. Worst case: adding too much borax won't hurt much.

2. Be sure to brush the pool carefully. You don't want to leave any undisturbed piles of algae. Free chlorine does NOT penetrate 'algae clumps' well.

3. Do what you can to help your filter. Or, consider filling to overflow, turning your pump off overnight, and vacuuming to waste (via siphon) in the AM -- to get the settled algae out.

Ben