Low Chlorine Levels

[rwhitsel]

I have algae problems every summer. Opened my pool last week. Looking pretty clear but still algae and a slight yellow tint to water. Put in 4 bags of shock last eve and no free chlorine levels showing up on my test strips. I cannot get the free chlorine levels up! How much bleach would I have to use to get the levels up? I was told to get levels up and keep them up for 24 hours. Ran out of shock and was going to try to use bleach. My pool generally shows no FC. Pool store says probably due to mustard algae! Help!

[Watermom]

We'll need more information to be able to help. What type of pool is this and what is the volume? What type of filter and size of pump? Also, we need some current water testing numbers taken with a drops-based kit. If you don't have a kit, have the pool store test for you but just don't buy all the stuff they are going to recommend to you. Post your numbers here and someone will take a look at try and advise you. Also, if you don't have a good test kit, you should buy one so you don't have to depend on the pool store. Check the Amazon link in my signature below and pick up either a Taylor K-2006 or 2006C which is the same kit with larger bottles of some of the most used reagents. Only buy if the seller is Amato Industries. Some other sellers are substituting the K-2005 which you do NOT want.

[rwhitsel]

I will have my levels checked. I have a 24' round pool. The capacity I believe is 15000 gal? Have had it for 5 years but do a terrible job at keeping it up even though I try hard. Will have to take sample to pool store. I dumped 4 gal of bleach in last night. Finally showed purple on the test strips but this morning back down to 0.

[aylad]

One thing that will tell a lot about your situation is your CYA level--if it was high last season and back down to 0 this season, your CYA may have been broken down into ammonia over the winter, which causes a HUGE chlorine demand until you finally burn off all the ammonia. Get your levels tested and post them here, as Watermom suggested, and we'll help you go from there.

Janet

[Watermom]

Your volume wouldn't be that high. More like 12,500 - 13,000 probably.