Algae loves my pool

[PoolDoc]

Dead algae usually looks like grayish brown dust -- sounds like that's what you've got.

And, it's a VERY good idea to keep the chlorine up for several days AFTER it looks like it's all dead.

Ben

[mrsbusymomee]

I had to bring some chemicals back yesterday to get a refund and also brought them a sample. After I drained my pool they said the CYA was still 80. Well when they tested it yesterday, the CYA is now 40. Guess since my pump wasn't working and circulating the water, it gave a wrong reading. So I guess I've been overshocking my pool. No wonder it cleared up fast. LOL Anyway, the water is crystal clear and the bottom just has that sediment, dead algae, on the bottom. I've been shocking since Saturday, should I keep it up or bring the chlorine level down now? I just added some more bleach this morning.
Thanks again for all your advice. Now I am waiting on my kit to get here. Also here are my other readings he tested. Should I start working on getting the alkalinity down?
pH 7.6
Alka 200

[Watermom]

Yes. If you look in my signature line, you'll see a link for the Pool Solutions pages. Do a search for lowering alk. There is a pool guide detailing how to do that.

[mrsbusymomee]

OK, I still have to wait until my kit comes in the mail. Hopefully by Thursday. Also, I have an AG pool, so how do you aerate it like the directions describe to raise the pH back up? Just curious if you have done this? Also, I'm using that pool calculator by In the Swim to determine how much acid. Is that a reliable calculator?
Thanks a bunch!

[madwil]

aeration will work the same in AG pools; you can simply direct your returns up some, to churn the water on the surface, or maybe even a small fountain effect
I haven't used that calculator specifically, but most of them give you similar doses- the key behind Acid is to adjust in steps IMO, don't dump all at once but use 1/2 - 2/3 of the dose, retest in an hour (with the pump running) and adjust more if needed; depending on pool size and TA, you may need more acid than called, but its easier to add more than to take it away; if you overdo acid, you have to add something else to compensate, then you end up on a seesaw!

[mrsbusymomee]

I got my test kit in today. The pool looks fan-swimmin-tastic!!
CYA 30
FC 4.4
CC 0
TA 250
pH 7.6
I am using the pool calculator to lower my pH to 7.0 in order to get my alkalinity down. It says for a 13k pool to add 46oz of muratic acid. Should I add that much or do only like 30 for now. My husband is working on the aerator part. LOL
Also, how soon after I add that acid can I let the kiddos swim? 2 hours?
And...since my CYA has lowered quite a bit, I'm going to use the rest of my trichlor tabs in a floater to maintain cl levels for now. Once I run out, then I'll use my bleach. What do you think?
Hope ya'll have a great Memorial Weekend!! Be safe and thanks again for the advice.

[mrsbusymomee]

Been putting in muriatic acid a little at a time. This morning here are the readings.

pH 7.3
TA 210

Guess this is going to take a while. Also went ahead and put in those tabs to maintain the chlorine which is right at 5.2. Guess everything is going ok. Didn't feel the need to test CYA again. I will when I use up all the tabs.
I went ahead and subscribed for a year. Ya'll have been super! Thanks again.