Algae problem

[aylad]

Essentially, you need to run the chlorine up to a "shock" level--but that level is based on your CYA level, which is why Watermom is asking for test results. You need to hit that shock level, maintain it until the green is gone, and until you can go from sundown to just before sunup without losing any chlorine--which requires being able to test your own water, which is why Watermom is highly recommending that you get a test kit and test your own water. Besides, it will keep you from being "pool-stored"--told to buy things that aren't going to help, such as the floc that they sold you.

If you'll post the test results Watermom asked for, we'll be happy to help you get it cleared up! Oh--and welcome to the forum!!

Janet

[piggulet]

Thanks for the replies. I am very excited to have y'all's unbiased help. It seems very evident that you have a genuine desire to help people. Thank you! We have been using test strips to test the water; but, my husband is going out right now to purchase the cheap drops kit and we'll order the Taylor today. So, I'll post the results after church today. Thank you, again!

Sincerely,
piggulet

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

What we've put in so far:

2 weeks ago: 10 lbs. Sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione dihydrate (99%), 1 qt. Banish - 3.3% Copper, 96.7% other ingredients containing polymeric polyacrylate and gluconate stabilizing agents.

2 days ago: 5 lbs. Sodium dicholor-s-triazinetrione dihydrate (99%), 3 sticks (maintaining) Trichlor skimmer sticks, Bioguard powerfloc (I don't see ingredients identified), 4 lbs. Sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione (63.05%), copper citrate (.73%), other ingredients (36.22%)

(EDIT by moderator: 2 posts in queue were combined.)

[piggulet]

We've tested the water and the free and combined chlorine is at 0.6; pH is 7.2

[PoolDoc]

Add 2 gallons of PLAIN 6% household bleach ASAP, and 3 more gallons tonight. If you have the SLIGHTEST green left, add 6 gallons rather than 3. Brush the pool AFTER adding the bleach

Test the chlorine in the AM; it SHOULD be very high. If it is not, add 2 more gallons, and then repeat the 6 gallon dose the following night.

Add 1 box of borax, slowly to the skimmer. Repeat this dose daily till your pH is above 7.4



To do more, we need to know your CYA (stabilizer) level -- 'guess-strips' are especially inaccurate at measuring CYA.
+ 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

[piggulet]

Thanks for this info. We went to 5 area Wal-marts to get the 6-way Drops test kit, and none of them had it. We even went into a couple of pool supply stores. All we could find was the 3-way. We have ordered the Taylor kit and it should be on its way.

After the first round of bleach / borax dosing our readings are:

Free chlorine 1.5
Combined chlorine 3.0
pH 7.6

We still have green color. We are going to add another 2 gallons of bleach this morning and another 6 tonight. Please advise if this is incorrect.

Until we get our Taylor kit is there another way to test the CYA level?

Thanks,
Kimberly

EDIT by moderator: 2 posts waiting in the queue were combined.

[Watermom]

You may be able to find a reputable pool store who can test the CYA for you. Make sure they use the 'disappearing black dot' test and not strips, though.

While you are waiting for your kit to arrive, you can use a dilution method to force your kit to read higher. It isn't super accurate, but better than nothing. Info about it here:

Testing Without a Good Kit

Keep adding bleach. And, your pH is fine at 7.6.

[bri3180]

How does the disappearing black dot test work? Do I wait till it begins to disappear or till I can no longer see it(as far as knowing when to stop counting drops)?

[piggulet]

Okay, our Taylor kit finally arrived!!!! YAY!!!! Here's the test results:

FC: 1.4
CC: 1.0
pH: 7.0
TA: 60
CH: 100
CYA: less than 30 ppm

We've been continuing with the 2 gallons of 6% bleach in the morning and 6 gallons in the evening. The pool looks much better, but still a tinge of green. And, of course, cloudy. We appreciate all of your help!

I know we need to raise the pH which I believe is to be done by adding borax. How do we raise the CYA?

I've been searching the pool forum for information on dosing charts, but having difficulty finding them. I will happily do my own calculations (and likely come to the forum for confirmation) if you can direct me to the dosing charts for adding bleach/chlorine.

Thanks, again!

-Kimberly

[Watermom]

Add a half a box of Borax slowly to the skimmer while the pump is running, breaking up any clumps. After a few hours, retest and redose until you get the pH where you want it.

CYA is raised by either adding some directly as a separate ingredient or using a stabilized form of chlorine such as dichlor or trichlor. Do you have either one of those at home already?

[piggulet]

We have no dichlor or trichlor left. We've been planning to simply use the BBB method going forward (after correcting this problem with algae), so we haven't invested anymore in the sticks.

-Kimberly