Sudden cloudiness

[Barry J]

Watermom,
It appears to be clearing out, since running the filter over night, I think I just put too much chemicals in.
But here are the chemicals I use:
Quick Clear
From: Capo Industries LTD
1200 Corporate Dr.
Burlington, ON L7L 5R6
Canada


ACCU 50 Algaecide
From: Accucare Supply inc
95 Hathaway Center
Providence, RI 02907
Active ingredients:
n-Alkyl (60%C14, 30%C16, 5%C12, 5%C18)
dimethyl benzyl
ammonium chloride........................................49 .8%
n-Dialkyl (60%C14, 30%C16, 5%C12, 5%C18)
methyl benzyl
ammonium chloride......................................0.2%
INERT ingredients....................................... ..50%

SUPER SHOCK
From: Accu-Care Supply
109 King Philip Rd
East Providence, RI 02916
Active ingredients:
Sodium Hypochorite.....................12.5%
Inert Ingredients.............................87.5%

Thanks
Barry

[aylad]

The algaecide, being ammonia-based, will break down into several byproducts, ammonia included. The ammonia in itself can create a high chlorine demand, taking some of your useable chlorine away from its normal job of killing algae. That's why the only algaecide that we recommend here is polyquat 60, which is NOT ammonia based, and also works as a clarifier (same as your quick clear). Sounds to me like you had an algae bloom trying to happen. If so, the shock and algaecide that you added may have stopped it for now, but it won't for long.

If you could please post the test results that Watermom asked for above, it would help us help you to figure out what happened, and how to have it not happen again.

[waterbear]

Barry,
in the other forum you posted this problem in you said the only water testing you do is with your face-mask and nose. You said that if you can't see across the pool with the mask you dump in chemicals. I answered you in that other forum that we could not help you there. I also told you that mixing sodium hjypchlorite and a linear quat algaecide together was counter productive.

I don't think you will get much help here either unless you test your water.

I would strongly suggest going to the PoolSolutions website, reading everything on it, rereading it, then reading all the stickies in the forum, read them all again. and retiring the facemask and getting yourself a decent test kit and learn how to take care of your pool. If not you are going to be pretty much on your own.

[Barry J]

I will test my water.
Since, I have not tested in some time..being the fact that when i did bring my sample to the pool store, and they analyze it..they try to sell me $150 worth of chemicals.
What would be the best way to test it and not have to take out a loan???
thanks
Barry

[Watermom]

You should order a good test kit and that way you know your readings are right. We recommend the Taylor K-2006 or 2006C (same kit, bigger bottles). You can order it through the Amazon link in my signature below. If the seller listed is not Amato Industries, wait a day or so and try again when they restock. Some of the other sellers send the K-2005 instead. You don't want that one.

Pool stores usually test for free and you don't have to buy anything. Let them test it one last time so we can have a current CYA reading, but don't buy anything. Resist! They have already earned enough of your money. Post your readings.

Until your kit arrives, go to Walmart and get a cheap OTO/Phenol Red kit (yellow and red drops) for around $5 I think. Use that to test chlorine and pH daily. The OTO does not replace the need for a good kit. You still need that.

Once we know the CYA level, we can suggest what chlorine levels you need for your pool.

[Barry J]

I went to Walmart and picked up a 6 way test kit.

Here are my results:
My pool is above ground oval 33x18 at 4ft.

When I did Total Chlorine/total bromine test the water was essentially clear, so I'm est. at <0.5ppm Chlorine
and <1ppm Bromine.

When I did Ph, I got either 7.2 or lower depending on when I held the tested against, against white paper was about 7.2, against the blue sky < 7.2

Total Alkalinity was 3 drops = 30ppm
Hardness indicator was 18 drops = 180ppm
And cyanuric acid test...well the water remained clear, and at no point was it "milky" so I could see the black dot at the bottom of the view tube with the full amount in.

So, how bad is it???
Thanks
Barry

[aylad]

It's not that "bad" really, but it's not surprising that you frequently have algae problems. Your sudden cloudinesss was almost certainly an algae bloom, which has been handled for now with the shock, but not for long since your chlorine is too low. With no stabilizer in the water, the sun depletes chlorine rapidly, making it hard to maintain a residual. I would add enough stabilizer to target 40 ppm, but you need to be maintaining 3-6ppm chlorine til it's in there, which can take a few days. This will take multiple daily chlorine additions. Your pH is ok at 7.2, hardness doesn't matter in a vinyl pool, and yoir TA needs to come up a bit, I'd target 60-80. You can use baking soda to raise alk.

Janet

[Barry J]

Should I shock again and how much??/ How much baking sode should I put in???? And is there a certain type of stabilzer to buy???
Also, i'm leaving on Saturday for one week, I have my dad coming every other day to chlorinate any suggestions??
Thank
Barry