starting up after winter

[PoolDoc]

+ Yes, leave it out while killing algae. It's not going to live algae well, and it will stop up and interfere with circulation.
+ TSP = tri-sodium phosphate, an industrial detergent (no suds) good at removing pool goo from filters.
+ Yes, rotate the filters. You can save the solution, and use it multiple times. So long as you only put a little bleach in the mix, you can leave the dirty filter in the mix, till you're ready to finish cleaning it and using it to replace the cartridge that in the filter. You might want to get something like a Rubbermaid Brute trash can and lid, and simply leave if filled with cleaning mix and cartridge all season. The link goes to Amazon, but it will probably be cheaper if you can find it locally, especially since you have to buy the lid separately.

[costo]

Thank you so much for your prompt replies. You have been very helpful. Hopefully this is my last question of the day. I have a hth 6 way kit from walmart but have run out of the cya testing. Do you know of a refill for that? Im assuming I dont need to test until I get this algae problem rid of but I thought I should get it ordered so I will have it on hand. Thanks again!

[PoolDoc]

Online only -- I've got links for a large bottle on the test kit info page link in my signature.

I need to post pictures but you can refill your CYA bottles by flipping the dropper tip off, filling the bottle, and then popping it back in.

[costo]

Ok.....one more question!!! Will the tsp/90 phosphate free, substitute work?

[PoolDoc]

It might; I don't know.

In general, the TSP / STPP substitutes are FAR less effective than the phosphate products. If you concerned about phosphates in the wastewater . . . fertilize your garden with it, when you're done. But if you get a good garbage can, and spray off your cartridge before soaking, and add 1/8 cup of bleach with each cartridge . . . I don't know a reason why you couldn't use the same solution all summer. You'll probably need to add another cup of TSP mid-season, though.

[costo]

retested yesterday evening
chlorine: 0
ph: >8.2
then added 1 gallon 10% liquid chlorinator, 1.42 galon 6% bleach, ~1/4 gallon muriatic acid
tested again this am
chlorine: 5-10
ph: between 6.8-7.2
btw, i have been running pump 24/7

[costo]

Should I be adding Stabilizer to keep chlorine in?

[PoolDoc]

What results did you get?

Your CYA level will only change if you add stabilizer, dichlor or trichlor (going up) or if you dump and refill (going down).

There's a pint refill bottle on the test kit info page in my signature. The little nozzle will pop out of the CYA reagent bottle, if you push it with your thumb to the side. You can refill and the pop the nozzle back in.

[costo]

FC: 14.5
CC: 0.5
Ph: 7.0
Cya: 50-60

[PoolDoc]

Darn. Posted the wrong answer to this thread, and now I have to go find the thread that answer belonged to!

Glad you posted your CYA level though: 14 ppm is a good algae clean up level with 50 ppm of CYA.

Anyhow. YOUR answer is . . . .

Intex OEM cartridges filter dead algae VERY poorly. I'd recommend you replace yours with the Unicel cartridge. Not only will it filter better, but if you get two, and clean them properly, they will last all season:

Unicel C-4607 Replacement Filter Cartridge (Easy Set Size A or C) @ Amazon

Be VERY careful -- most replacement cartridges are NOT higher quality, and some are labeled deceptively.

To clean them, you need a small garbage can with a lid and some TSP, like these:

Rubbermaid BRUTE Gray 10 Gal Container w/o Lid @ Amazon
Round Brute Lid For 10-Gallon Waste Containers, 16" Diameter, Gray
1lb Savogran 10621 Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) @ Amazon

You may be able to get all those items locally. Ace Hardware or Lowes may have TSP in the paint section.

Anyhow, fill the garbage can 3/4 with water, add the TSP, and mix. When a cartridge gets dirty, spray it off and set it aside. Add 1/8 cup of bleach to the garbage can, and mix. Then, put the dirty cartridge in and leave it.

When you are ready to use it, rinse it off CAREFULLY. You don't want detergent in your pool. Rinse at least 2x. Then, take the dirty cartridge out and put the clean one in, and restart the process.

Cleaning the cartridges in that manner, you should be able to go all summer with just those 2 cartridges.

(Just saw I told you this before. Did you do it? If you have the Unicel cartridges, put them back in. If you still have Intex cartridges, I'd try to vacuum to waste using a siphon. Do you know how to do that?)