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Thread: Algae eating my lunch!

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Default Algae eating my lunch!

    I have an in ground gunnite (plaster) pool, 18,000 gal. Until recently, it was saltwater. The circuit board that tells my chlorine generator to produce chlorine went caput, so my dear sweet husband decided that we should try Pristine Blue rather than replace the faulty part. Soon after switching to Pristine Blue, I began having a problem with persistent black algae and mustard algae as well as cloudy pool water. After several hundred dollars and a lot of chemicals, the black and green algae have almost completely covered the floor and walls of my pool. Searching the web led me to think my only option at this point was to drain the pool and give it a "chlorine bath". However, this evening after talking to a neighbor (who recommended this site), I added about 10 gallons of 6% bleach and brushed thoroughly (again). I am definitely going back to salt water, but need to know if I am doing the right thing with the bleach...my arms are starting to look like Ahhhnold with all the scrubbing! Please help, before I get a few dump trucks full of dirt....

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Algae eating my lunch!

    Welcome to the Pool Forum!

    You are definitely on the right track by adding bleach and brushing. In order to help us help you may we please ask you to complete our pool info chart: Pool Chart Entry Form

    It will give us information about your specific pool and help us tailor our advice to your specific needs.

    For now, keep your pump running 24/7, keep adding bleach, keep brushing. How does your water look? Green? Cloudy?
    Last edited by Watermom; 07-23-2012 at 10:21 AM. Reason: fix hot link
    Oval 12.5K gal AGP; Hayward 19" sand filter; Pentair Dyn 1 HP 2sp pump on timer
    [URL="http://www.ellerbach.com/Pool/"]My Pool Pages[/URL]

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Algae eating my lunch!

    Thanks for the reply!!! Water is mostly clear, maybe a slight green tint. I completed the pool chart this morning. How much bleach should I add each night? I ordered a Taylor test kit yesterday. As soon as it comes in, I will test water, then I want to convert back to salt. How do I do this?

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Algae eating my lunch!

    Thank you for filling out the Pool Chart. Yours sounds like a beautiful pool!

    I suspect your water has a green tinge as a result of the reaction between the Pristine Blue and the copper in that product. Likewise, the black and mustard algae you mentioned in yur first post could possibly be staining from the copper.

    I am out of my depth (no pun intended) when it comes to dealing with metals in the water or converting a pool from Pristine Blue to chlorine and I will make Pooldoc aware of your situation so that he can take a look at it. In the meantime, here are a couple of links to older threads discussing this issue.

    http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...ristine%20blue, and
    http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...-amp-More-quot
    Oval 12.5K gal AGP; Hayward 19" sand filter; Pentair Dyn 1 HP 2sp pump on timer
    [URL="http://www.ellerbach.com/Pool/"]My Pool Pages[/URL]

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Algae eating my lunch!

    Here is an additional link for you, about converting from Pristine Blue to chlorine: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...ue-to-Chlorine .

    Large amounts of bleach may NOT be your friend just yet. I've contacted Ben for assistance.
    Oval 12.5K gal AGP; Hayward 19" sand filter; Pentair Dyn 1 HP 2sp pump on timer
    [URL="http://www.ellerbach.com/Pool/"]My Pool Pages[/URL]

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Algae eating my lunch!

    Thanks! When I tried to access the links you provided, a pop-up appears and says I am not authorized.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Algae eating my lunch!

    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.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Algae eating my lunch!

    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.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Algae eating my lunch!

    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.

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Algae eating my lunch!

    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?

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