Intex 15x48 with algae

[DSeese]

I have an Intex 15' x 48" with an algae problem and the stock pump that just sucks (or lack there of). I'm heading out tonight to pick up my BBB supplies to get started cleaning it out. I've already filled out the pool chart. I have to wait 2 weeks before I can order the 1500 gph Intex pump and a decent vacuum. Can someone please let me know how much bleach I should add tonight to get the algae killing started?

[DSeese]

I bought 2 of the super shock packages from Walmart along with the 20 Mule Borax and A&H baking soda right next to the Borax. My PH is 7.1 and chlorine is pretty much nil. What all should I add before I go to bed tonight?

[aylad]

I would not add the "super shock" packages--they are a blend of chlorine, CYA, and "mystery goop", as Ben and WAtermom like to call it. Add plain, unscented bleach.....but how much is going to depend on your CYA level. If you can give us a set of test results, taken with a drop-based kit (no strips!!), we can tell you what/how much to add.

[DSeese]

CL - .5
PH - 7.5
ALK - 150 ppm
TH - 150 ppm
CYA - < 30

[PoolDoc]

I'm going to throw some stock answers at you . . . but they are all correct for your situation.

+ 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, especially if it's a well, 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.)

+ Having a good test kit makes pool care easier for EVERYONE. A good test kit means a kit that can test chlorine from 0 - 25 ppm, pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and stabilizer with reasonable accuracy. Test strips (AKA 'guess-strips' ) do NOT meet this standard. Some pool store testing is accurate; most is not. The ONLY way you'll know whether your pool store is accurate or bogus, is by testing accurately your own self. On the other hand, pool store 'computer' dosing recommendations are NEVER trustworthy -- ignore them. They are designed to sell more chemicals than you need, and WILL cause many pool problems.

+ 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 )

One caution for the 2012 season: Amazon does not stock the kits directly. So when buying at Amazon, Amato is our current preferred seller. However, they often don't list enough stock to last the whole day, so try order mid-morning. You should expect a delivered cost under $60 for the K2006A and under $95 for the K2006C. If you can't find that, wait a day.

+ 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

+ The dichlor, linked below, will add both chlorine AND stabilizer. Unlike most dichlor sold these days, neither of these products is blended with goop. The 24# PoolBrand box is a GREAT deal; the Kem-Tek is a good price. Also, you can add PLAIN 6% household bleach.

24 lbs PoolBrand bagged shock @ Sams Club
Kem-Tek Dichlor 22 lbs @ Amazon

[DSeese]

My results came from the HTH 6-way kit from Walmart. I have about 6 gal of bleach sitting and waiting to be used on the pool. I also have the Borax and baking soda. My water gets really cloudy about 2' down and you can't see the bottom. There is a slight green tinge to the water and I know it's algae. I've been fighting this for the last 3 weeks. I definitely need a better pump/filter and will be ordering that in about 2 weeks along with a good vacuum and the Taylor test kit.

I just added ~1 gal of bleach. I'll check the chlorine level in the morning before I go to work and make any additions if needed. I'll have my wife test it throughout the day tomorrow. Thanks for the help. I'll keep you updated on how things are going.

My main concern right now is what to do to get through the next couple weeks so the kids can enjoy the pool.

[aylad]

Using the volume calculator from Bleachcalc, I'm getting about 5300 gallons...does that sound right? If so, your shock level with a CYA <30 is 12-15 ppm. To reach 12 ppm from zero chlorine, you would add 1 gallon of 6% bleach. Once you reach that 12 ppm, then you need to test and add more chlorine to get back up to the 12 ppm, as often as possible--for reference, each 1.5 cups of 6% bleach will raise your FC by 1 ppm, so you can use that as a guide to figure out how much more you need to add. The more consistent you are about maintaining that shock level, the faster the pool will clear. You need to maintain that level until the pool clears, the algae is visibly gone, and you can go from one night to just before sunup the next morning without losing more than 1 ppm of chlorine,.

Janet