Algae eating my lunch!

[AnnaK]

Software issue. It will go away once you have full membership status. Please copy the link(s) and then paste them into the menu bar in a new browser window or tab, that should work.

[PoolDoc]

Your membership is upgraded; you can follow links now.

But . . . it's not clear to me what your priorities are. Three possibilities seem to be:
1. Eradicating algae
2. Getting the pool clear and usable again.
3. Converting back to salt.

If you want to eradicate black algae, and your pool is really truly covered with algae . . . you probably DO need to drain, pressure wash, and then bleach wash.

If you want to get the pool back to clear and usable . . . that will take awhile, quite a bit of chemistry & $$'s, and a lot of brushing.

If you want to get back to salt RIGHT NOW, I'd say that's not very practical.

[shawnw]

Ahh, you seem to have it down correctly! My priorities are, in the order you listed, first to eradicate algae, then convert to salt. The pool water is clear, but the algae is really taking over. The water readings have been fine, so the pool has been usable, but the algae is GROSS!

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

So, in light of my priorities, your recommendation would be to drain, pressure wash, and then bleach wash? I am so tired of scrubbing. Is this something I can do myself relatively easily or should I hire out?


EDIT by Moderator: 2 posts in the queue were combined.

[shawnw]

Okay, I have drained the pool to below the level of the light fixtures, as I can see algae creeping from behind them. I plan to take them out tonight and bleach and scrub behind them before replacing. The bleach in the pool seems to be working, as long as I keep scrubbing. I'm not afraid of hard labor, but this is ridiculous- not to mention the temp and humidity in southern Louisiana right now. I think it will be easier to empty completely and pressure wash. Is there a specific type of bleach "solution" I should use to bleach wash?