White Water Fungus among us!!

[PoolDoc]

I'll continue this tonight, but I'm going to post some stuff now, in hopes that you can get it on your way home:

+ We recommend the Taylor K-2006 test kit, which meets the requirements above, for many reasons. The HTH 6-way drops kit is a great starter kit, and is compatible with the K2006 (it's made by Taylor). There are a few alternatives; for example Lamotte makes an FAS-DPD kit that's OK -- but it costs 3x as much. But, we're not aware of any test that is better, and since we are all familiar with the K-2006 (and can help you with it) we recommend it exclusively ( Test kit info page )

+ Here are links to the kits we recommend:

HTH 6-Way Test Kit @ Walmart
Taylor K2006A (3/4 oz bottles) @ Amazon
Taylor K2006C (2 oz bottles) @ Amazon

(Get the HTH drops kit tonight, if you can, along with 12 gallons of PLAIN store-brand 6% bleach from Walmart. You can use the link above to see if it's in stock in your area. You'll still need the K2006, but the 6-way is a private label compatible Taylor kit, and will get you started fast, and still be useful later.)


+ It's much easier to answer your questions, when we have the details about your pool in one place. 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

+ Chlorine is the strongest algaecide you can buy . . . but occasionally, you may need a different one. Almost the only alternative algaecide we recommend is polyquat -- poly [oxyethylene (dimethyliminio) ethylene (dimethyliminio) ethylene dichloride] . This product is a GOOD clarifier and a moderately good algaecide, with almost no bad side effects. We often recommend it for use when you are going on vacation, or when you need to lower your chlorine, to prevent remove stains. It has become quite difficult to purchase locally at the normal full strength 60% concentration. If you find it locally, at a 60% concentration, that's fine. But be SURE to check the chemical name. If you need to buy it online, here's an Amazon link:

Kem-Tek 311-6 Pool and Spa 60-Percent Concentrated Algaecide, 1 Quart

(Use the link to the polyquat page for more info -- while at Walmart, check and see if they have some polyquat. It's not likely, but it will help somewhat if they do. Do NOT buy any other products at Walmart!)

Post your test results, as soon as you have them.

[PoolDoc]

Well, I'll wait for your response, before continuing.

[PoolDoc]

Moved post, so you *can* respond! Sorry.

[Ohio Canoe]

Pool Doc and Aylad,

I ordered the K-2006C and should have it by mid next week, but was not able to get the Walmart tester for the short term. I did take my water into my local pool store tonight to have it tested (they use the old fashion dropper method) and here are the results they gave me today:

Cyanuric- 50
Chlorine- .5
PH- 7.1
Alkalinity- 70
Calcium- 170

The store's recommendation for chemicals:

-15lbs of Alkalinity Plus
-5lbs of Calcium Plus
-4lbs of Ph increaser

Pool Doc, is the 12 gallons of bleach that you suggested to shock and kill the white water fungus? If so, do I dump it in all at once?

Again, I currently have the Pool Frog system, with the mineral pack for sanitation and a dial type chlorine system. I would prefer to stay with this chlorine dispenser setup till next Pool season since I still have chlorine backpacs for it, but I would like to switch as much of it as I can to the BBB method, if it is still possible. Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks!!!

[PoolDoc]

Don't add ANY of those chemicals! You can continue with the trichlor packs -- in fact, turn them to full.

And, yes the 12 gallons is to kill the goo. Add 3 tonight, in this sequence:

1. Turn the Pool Frog completely off.
2. Make sure the pump is on high.
3. Add the bleach via the skimmer.
4. Leave the pump on high for the night.
5. 15 minutes after adding the bleach, open the Frog units completely.
6. Test chlorine and pH in the AM, and then retest tomorrow PM.
7. Brush and clean every part of your pool tomorrow PM.
8. Add 9 gallons tomorrow PM, following the same sequence as before.
9. Test again.
10. Continue to maintain chlorine levels ABOVE 10 ppm, and pH levels below 7.2 until all trace of the goo is gone.

[Ohio Canoe]

Do I leave my ladder in the pool after I scrub it so that it can bathe in the 9 gallons of bleach and high chlorine? What about my solar cover,pool toys,floats? Thanks

[aylad]

I would leave all the toys, floats, etc. in the pool, so that any remaining stuff on them is also killed. They may lighten in color a little, but I'd rather have them lighter than contaminated!

Janet