Best of luck.Originally Posted by Melba...
We are hitting it with shock, NOT using any sticks or pucks with stabilizer in an attempt to bring that 99 down. The pool water itself is clear. We run the pump 24/7, brush daily...etc. Last summer I battled the beast with not very good results. I am convinced I am growing a resisitant strain.
I think your high CYA is keeping the chlorine from dealing with the algae. With your CYA level, Ben's Best Guess Table (http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=365) calls for a shock level of 25 ppm. Stopping the use of the stabilized chlorine (sticks and pucks) is a good start but you're going to have to resign yourself to running a high chlorine level or to a partial drain and refill to lower CYA if you really want rid yourself of the algae.
When I had my water tested yesterday, an additional test was run for phosphates. It took a little while but I was told that I had a high phosphate level of about 800 ppb. It was explained to me that phosphates act as an algae fertilizer and this might be why I have a resistant and recurrent algae problem. Of course it was recommended I use a phosphate remover but being an avid pool forum reader, I am reluctant to put additional chemicals in my pool.
I think you're wise to hold off on the phosphate remover. Chlorine, at the proper level and for long enough, will probably answer quite well. If that fails, several people on the forum have reported success with using polyquat to knock out stubborn algae infestations. I know that Ben touts poly as a better preventative than remedy, but it's hard to argue with success.
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