Yellow algae won't go away!

[kramer840]

I'll see about getting the K-2006 this weekend. In the meantime, I have one of the red/yellow testers and did that as well. Chlorine is still maxed out, and the PH is right at 7.2.

[PoolDoc]

The problem here is that you may need to have your chlorine more than "maxed out", depending on your stabilizer level. If your CYA really is 150, then your chlorine has to be in the OTO orange range (20 - 40 ppm), which is not shown on your kit.

Also, if you are waiting to get the K2006, when you go to a local store . . . Don't! It's very, very rarely available locally, and they'll often try to sell the K2005 which is NOT the same, and NOT what you need. If you don't want to buy at Amazon, that's fine, but you will need to order online.

[kramer840]

Alright, I got a free water test from my local Leslie's over the weekend, and here's what they found.......

calcium- 560ppm (!!!!!)
CYA- 100ppm
alkalinity- 90ppm
pH- 7.4
phosphates- 20ppb

Obviously, I need to do some draining and re-filling to get the calcium hardness down. What else would anyone here recommend?

[PoolDoc]

The calcium is not a problem UNLESS you have scaling. In California, you'd better test your fill water, before assuming that draining and refilling will fix things.

You *need* a K2006. But, stop-gap, check and see if you have a Walmart in your area that has this kit:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/HTH-6-Way-Test-Kit/17043668
This is a private label custom Taylor kit, that's compatible with the K2006 . . . and it will allow you to get a reasonable CYA level, now.

Meanwhile, keep the chlorine HIGH (OTO => orange!), and brush. Do NOT use any more stabilized chlorine. Get your FILL water tested (or, better, get the K2006 -- here's the info page: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?14994) before you think about draining.)

Also, please post your pool info in your signature, here: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/profile...=editsignature so we don't have to keep looking through the thread to see what sort of pool you have.

Do NOT drain, till you've tested your fill water. Do NOT drain, if you have an AG, vinyl or fiberglass pool. Doing so incorrectly can DESTROY those pools.

[kramer840]

I got my fill water tested. Calcium came out at 80ppm.