Cloudy Green Pool - Vacuum and Brush?

[pairadocs]

Thanks ParaDocs,

I am going to go out now and pick up some PLAIN Clorox Bleach (4 - 5 Jugs) and wait to hear for some specific recommendations for adding it.

Thanks for the vote of confidence!

Carlo.

You'll need to post today's current water test values. At the very least, go to a pool store, if one is open (Leslie's is open today in Delaware) and get a test kit made by Taylor, cost is $25 and it test for many things, ph, FC, TC, Alk, etc.

You'll need to post your FC levels at the very least, to determine how much bleach to add.

In my experience, you'll need to add all 6 bottles, several times over the next several days, until pool is clear. As I said before, it took me 30 + gallons of bleach, but it fixed it in 2 days time, and that was by testing to keep the FC above 10 until it cleared - that is the crucial part. Don't go up and down with FC - no yoyoing up and down, hold at 10+.

rjf

[ccostan]

Well I have joined the ranks of Bleach users. - I poured 5 gallons of 5.25% bleach ($1.69 a Gallon @ PathMark) which according to the bleach Calc will raise my FC ppm to 12. Tested an hour later and FC is above 10. Added the last of the pool store ALK to bring that up since mine was at 40 ppm. Brushed the entire pool down and will wait til morning. If the FC goes back down, I have another 6 Jugs in the Shed to add. I'll keep you posted. I definately want to add to the Bleach success stories.

Thanks for all the support!
CARLO.

[ccostan]

So it is the next morning and nothing has changed (even a LITTLE).. I am getting VERY fustrated at this point and the wife is losing faith.

Here are the diary logs (Again Minus the Crying and Cursing.)

5/29 11am - PH 6.2,FC 3.0, TA 40, CYA 0 - Added 3lbs of PH UP.
5/29 1:30pm - PH 6.4, FC 2.0, TA 40, CYA 0
5/29 5PM - PH 6.0, FC 2.0, TA 40, CYA 0 - Added 5 GALLONS Bleach 5.25%
5/29 8:30pm - PH 6.0 FC 10+, TA 40, CYA 0
5/30 1am - PH 6.0, FC 10+, TA 40, CYA 0
5/30 9am - PH 6.0, FC 10+, TA 40, CYA 0
5/30 12PM - PH 6.0, FC 10+, TA 40, CYA 0.

Nothing is changing in terms of color but I do have the strong smell of chlorine but the FC remains above 10. I'm puzzled. I am going to Lowes RIGHT now to get a more accurate drop tester. I'll be ordering Bens but need to clear up this pool now. A picture is worth a 1000 words so I have attached one of the pool in it's current state.

Please help!
CARLO.
Carlo @ ipm.com

30,000 IG Vinyl pool Currently Green.
Brooklyn, NY.

[pairadocs]

you've probably already learned this by now, but your numbers are off and you need to modify things.

ph is too low

cya is nonexistent, too low.

I'll let the elders tell you what to do.
I know they'll say to get a better test kit with liquid drops, and then recheck your numbers because they are strange.

once your numbers are right, for enough time - hours to days, your pool will be OK. The first P in P-o-o-l stands for Patience, i've learned.

is that your pool vac tubing that is visible in the picture?

[ccostan]

Yeah I definately know I need a better tester and have been searching for a good one at QUITE a few stores. They all seem to have strips here in Brooklyn, NY. I also looked to order Bens but the Order page only lists Pre ordering the ps234 with a 2 - 4 week delivery time.

As far as the PH and CYA - I was under the impression (and PLEASE correct me if I am wrong) that I should be concentrating on the FC levels. I though Higher PH levels made Chlorine less effective and the Higher the CYA, the more chlorine I would need. I figured once I got the pool unGreened, I would fix the other levels. Could this method be hurting my efforts?

I think what you see in the pool is a little 20 buck PVC 'sprinkler' attached to one of the return jets. Very Soothing in these troubled times.

Really - Thanks for all your help and advice. I just added 4 1/2 lbs of Mule Borax to the pool and will retest in about 2 hours when the sun starts to retreat. I figure I will also be adding more Bleach to the water as well after testing. I'll post the results that I get. - I'm off to one last Hardware store to AT LEAST get something to measure CC which may help fill in some holes in my pool picture.

A very sincere thanks.
CARLO.