The Algae Wars Continue - - -

[aylad]

Get the algae completely out before closing--if you don't, then you stand a much greater chance of it biodegrading your CYA into ammonia over the winter, and then you have to fight the "ammonia chlorine demand" monster when opening. Once it's completely out, then I suggest that you get the pH in the 7.6-7.8 range. The TA, CH, and CYA will be fine as is. Some folks then will add a dose of polyquat, allow it to circulate for a day or so, then shock the pool before covering, and some skip the polyquat and just shock before covering it up. I don't close my pool, so that part is up to you--the important thing is to make sure that you don't close it with algae in it, if you can help it. Also, the colder the water when closing and re-opening, the less chance you are of algae in the water. If you wait until the water warms up, then you'll have algae wars Part II to contend with...

[tenndoc]

Thank you aylad. I'm still not able to get the pump to draw as well as it should or I would have had it cleaned out weeks ago! I'll keep at it until all traces are gone.

Thanks again for your help -