Algae loves my pool

[mrsbusymomee]

Ok, actually we had an extra pump that we forgot about (our neighbor gave us) and I believe that is only 1hp. We're hanging on to the new one for a backup. We've had 1.5hp for 15 years with the same filter.
Never had any algae problems until now. But this completely makes sense about CYA and chlorine levels and why my algae keeps coming back just as fast. No wonder the stores don't know what to do. I tried to tell them I need to get my chlorine levels up and they all looked at me like I was insane. LOL They also tried to sell me a crap load of chemicals. I said no thanks I'm just going to go buy bleach. Lady in there said that won't work. Can't wait to disappoint her!!
How often and when should I test the water again using my 5ppm dilution method so that I maintain at least 20ppm? Every morning?
Once the algae is gone and I'm maintaining 5-10, how often do you shock. The normal once a week?
Sorry for all the questions, but this is a new procedure for me.
Thanks again and hopefully the water will be clearer in the morning.

[Watermom]

While you have algae, you should try and test a minimum of twice per day (morning and evening) and more often than that is even better and will clear the pool faster. There is no such thing as testing and adding bleach too often when you have a green pool. When you test, add enough bleach to take it back up to shock level. After you get to the point where the pool is clear, you have no more than 0.5ppm of CC and you can go from sundown one day to sunup the next day without losing more than 1ppm of chlorine, then you can let the cl drift back down and go to testing and adding bleach in the evenings only.

As far as how often to shock routinely when there is no algae, the answer is that you actually don't have to shock on a regular basis. As long as you maintain the needed chlorine levels based on your cya level and you are diligent about doing so, it isn't really necessary to shock. I rarely shock my pool because I am diligent about testing and maintaining adequate chlorine levels. If I detect a CC reading above 0.5ppm, or if we have a heavy bather load or lots of rain that drops a lot of organic matter in the pool, I will shock but otherwise, I don't. I probably don't shock more than 4 or 5 times during the whole swim season.

You should also be running the pump 24/7 while you are working to clear the pool.

Don't worry about all the questions. That is how you learn and that is why we are here --- to help!

[mrsbusymomee]

How do you test for FC TC and CC? I know FC-TC=CC. FC is basically testing your pool for free chlorine level, but TC (total chlorine?) how do you test for that? My kit won't be here until later next week so I'm using the "shot glass" method. This method only shows the FC, correct?
My pool water isn't that bad. I can see all the way to the bottom and there's a thin film of algae on the bottom that is easily stirred with the brush so it shouldn't be long before my pool is back to normal. That's good to know that I won't have to "shock" my pool. What about when it rains a lot? Will I have to shock then? Guess I'll get used to this when I start testing more often and becoming familiar with it all.
Thanks!

[Watermom]

TC-FC=CC Don't worry about all that until your kit comes. Hopefully you'll get it in few days and you'll be better able to manage your pool.

[mrsbusymomee]

I know I said I would post in a couple of days, but I'm sooooo excited!!! The pool water is almost crystal clear and the algae is going away. The bottom is not that thin film of green anymore. Now it has accumulated in the divets of the bottom. There's just a little bit of algae left. Stairs are all white too! I tested the water this morning and the cl was 17, so I added, according to the pool calculator, another 81oz of bleach. Once the algae is completely gone, I'm assuming I just let the chlorine drop on its own to 5-10ppm?
Y'all just rock and I will be subscribing to this website.
Thank you all!!!

[Watermom]

Great news!! It's amazing what a little (or maybe a lot!!) of bleach can do, isn't it? We would be delighted to have you subscribe to the forum. Those subscriptions help us keep Pool Forum (and Pool Solutions, our sister site) alive and able to help people. We would be very appreciative to have the financial support. Keep us posted how things are going with your pool. Looks like you'll be swimming soon!

[mrsbusymomee]

I went ahead and brushed up the bottom and sides, so the water is a little cloudy again, but not nearly as green. Should I test the water this afternoon to keep that 20ppm? Also my husband had a question, he wants to know how long do I need to keep the pump running each day when the pool is back to normal and when to run it? During the day or evening? Mind you I'm near Houston where we have long HOT summers.
Thanks again for y'alls help!! Can I get a HEE HAW? LOL