wanted to be able to view threads that are restricted

[sublimity]

I was just doing a Google search on 'cleaning out a pool that's turned into a pond' and stumbled upon this site. I wanted to view someone who had a very similar situation to mine, but found I did not have permission. I registered and read the new user post, so here I am - starting a new thread.

We have had an Itex 4ft x 24 for about 4 yrs now. I really don't like it - with a passion - but we live in Texas and it is hot. It is really the only practical option since we live in a rental home. Every year I cuss like a sailor trying to muck the thing out and get gadgets that weren't meant to work on the pool - to work. Every year I get it all cleaned (no, I don't winterize) and then I fight with chemicals to keep the algae away.

This year I thought I would just get rid of the thing, but it summer again, hot again, and I have 4 children. The pool is almost a necessity. It currently has about 1 and 1/2 ft. of pond in it. It smells like death. There are tons of leaves and sticks and bugs and probably my own personal loch ness monster. I know I have no right to complain because I have not taken care of it the way I should, but we have been on a very tight budget until this year. Now, I am capable of doing what needs to be done - but I really don't know what it is.

I bought a larger pump last year with the adapters for the in and out tubes (I know, I am great with all the technical pool jargon). I filter the water non-stop. I shock it. I add algaeside. Blah, blah, blah.

Bottom line is that I really want to start from scratch. I think I am going to have to rent a sump pump to get the water out as the pool has been sitting in the same spot for so long, the drain is now sunken into the ground and is pretty much inaccessible. I can get the thing cleaned - really. But, I will need some help with recommendations on how to keep it that way.

Wow. I guess this was long for an introductory post. Thanks in advance - promise I am NOT a spammer. I'm not that technically inclined.

[aylad]

Hello, and welcome to the forum!!

If you can scoop all the junk out from the bottom, you may be able to save the water you already have, but if it's reasonably easy and cheap to drain it and refill, then go ahead--we'll be happy to help you get it in shape!!

You might want to consider getting a cover for the winter, if you don't plan to actually keep the pool chlorinated, so you can at least keep the junk out of it and save yourself the headache (and backache) when you're ready to open it. I'm near Shreveport LA, and I keep mine open all year, too--but I also keep it chlorinated. When the weather gets cold, the chlorine demand is drastically reduced, so there's really not much more than 5-10 minutes a week involved in taking care of it, but then I don't have to go through anything special to get it open when the water warms up, we just go swimming!

If you'll get a test kit that is drop-based, it will really make this job a whole lot easier. We recommend the K-2006 or 2006C (same kit, the c version just has more reagents), which can be found in the Amazon link in my sig. If not that, then at least go to WalMart and get the 5-way drop-based kit. If you can't do that for now, then get the cheap OTO kit that just measures chlorine and pH, and we can help you go from there. You'll need some stabilizer (also labeled conditioner, balancer, or CYA, but if the active ingredient is cyanuric or isocyanuric acid, that's the right stuff) and some bleach. Once you get a test kit of sorts, then you can test the fill water (or take a sample to the pool store to be tested) and post the results here, and we can help you figure out what else you need. Just don't buy the long list of junk the pool store will try to sell you.

Janet

[sublimity]

Thank you so much! Glad to read that I am surrounded by pros! I have to say that it is impossible to imagine the water currently in there being anything more than sludge.

I have gotten 2 covers in the past. The first was basically just a tarp (although toted as a pool cover). It got so filled with water, leaves and sticks that it tore and everything slopped into the pool. The second one had small holes throughout that let the water through, but I think it was poorly made and just ended up tearing.

If you know of a good brand for a cover, please let me know. Also, I can't conceive of keeping the water clean in the winter when I can't even keep it clean in the summer.

I will drain it this weekend and start over - just to be safe. I'll get the test you recommended and then post my results. Should I use this thread, or a new one? Thanks again.

[Watermom]

Start a new one.