Run around at pool store

[miker1755]

I am here because I am clearly confused and the local pool store seems to be just consuming my wallet. First of all, my water looks great but I have this re-current algae problem, clearly due to my real problem....I can't seem to maintain a chlorine level. I have used 3 bottles of "Blackout", I shock, I load my feeder, I add an additional floating feeder...still I can't seem to maintain an acceptable chlorine level, which explains why I keep having an algae issue. Getting really tired of brushing the pool and spending money on shock. I seems to have escalating phosphates but understand that nothing matters if I can't maintain the chroline level. One store says my phosphates are 1000+, another says "0"......No wonder I am confused! Any big ideas out there? Also, can I use phosphate removers for ponds and lakes in my pool at reduced amounts? The stuff at the pool store is waaaay over priced IMO....or do phosphates really matter? I have back washed my fiilters, broke down and cleaned my filter innereds and still growing algae. My pool needs to be replastered but I don't really think it that bad. White plaster pool, 17,500 gallons in the greater Houston area

[Watermom]

First off, welcome to the Pool Forum! Secondly, stay out of the pool store. They exist to make money so of course, they are going to keep finding products for you to buy. My guess of what is going on with your pool is that you have used stabilized chlorine for a long time (trichlor pucks, dichlor shock powder) and the CYA level in your pool got really high. Then, over the winter, the CYA biodegraded and left you with a pool full of ammonia and an unsatiable chlorine demand. We see this every year and this year has been particularly bad. Any idea what your CYA reading was when the pool closed in the fall? Any idea what the CYA level is now?

We really can't do too much without a good set of current water testing results taken with a drops-based kit. The kit we really prefer is the Taylor K-2006 or 2006C which you can get through the test kit link in my signature below. However, it is only available online so you'll need something to use while you await its arrival.

For now, get a cheap OTO (yellow drops) / phenol test kit, or if available at YOUR Walmart (check availability), get the HTH 6-way DROPS test kit, which is compatible with the Taylor K2006. Test the pool as soon and you can, and post the results. If you get the 6-way kit, ALSO test the water you FILL the pool with and post THOSE results as well. (The HTH is the best available kit you're likely to find locally, but it's not the K-2006. It can only provide rough measurements chlorine levels above 5 ppm, and it measures "TOTAL" hardness, rather than "CALCIUM" hardness, which is not ideal.)

While you are at Walmart, buy several jugs of plain, unscented bleach (generic is fine) and a couple boxes of 20 Mule Team Borax (laundry aisle).

It's much easier to answer your questions, when we know something about your pool. We often 'waste' the first few posts back and forth collecting information. So, please complete our new Pool Chart form -- it takes about 30 seconds, but will save much more than that.

Pool Chart Entry Form
Pool Chart Results

Repost and let us know which test kit you get and give us some current numbers and someone will try and help you go from there.

[miker1755]

I am still locked out of a number of items in your signature, like test kits, pool chemicals using muratic acid etc.

[miker1755]

I wrote a detailed explantion of where I am but lost it! I think I have posted my pool spec 2 times and clearly don't know how to edit the info. Bottom line is I got the 6 way test from Wal mart with the following:

• Cl=5.0 after adding some granular Cl as the reading was 0.
• pH=7.3
• Hardness 540
• CYA 90+
• Alk 110

Tap / fill water:

• Cl 3.0
• pH 7.6
• hardness 170
• Alk 230
• cya 0

I am waiting on your recommendation with bleach and borax in hand. My pool is 17500 gallons 19' wide x 35 ' long with 5' depth in the middle & 3.5' at both ends. 2 hp pump, Nautilus ns-60 DE filter, Polaris 380 cleaner with booster pump.

[PoolDoc]

I've got to leave for a couple of hours -- I'll post more when I return.

For now, read the "Best Guess" page linked in my sig -- it explains a lot that's relevant to your situation. And, if you would, go ahead and complete the pool chart. The output makes it easy for me to see what you've got.

One other question: are you showing any scale formation? Your hardness is high enough to cause problems, especially if you have a heater or SWCG.

OK, I lied. One more thing: test your fill water. I need to know where all that hardness came from.

[miker1755]

My post of yesterday at 10:42 pm has my pool and TAP water test results from the HTH 6 way test......Tap / fill water: Cl 3.0 pH 7.6 hardness 170 Alk 230 cya 0. Regarding scale, I have some but not extreme in my opinion, primarilly on tile around the spillover from my raised spa into my pool. I have a heater but only use it to heat the spa in the winter so it doesn't get much use but I do have some heater questions I will save for when I am an admitted member off probation. I do not have a SWCG! Clearly with my level of knowledge I am no spammer or industry expert trying to show off my knowledge! It is really kind of funny as I have heard others complain about their problems with their pool and mine has always been relatively easy to take care of.....until now! I will re-complete the pool data chart but I already have, twice I believe, but am not able to edit for corrections / mistakes / missing info at the time. Sorry if that's a nusiance so delete the prior data found there under my screen name!