It's too easy being green

[jaybee]

I'm a little confused here because I think my 9500 gal above ground pool should be clear but it isn't. Here are my numbers:

Cl--10
pH--7.3
Alkalinity--120
CYA--20

I've vacuumed and backflushed until there's virtually nothing left except little bits of algae that blow right through the sand filter. Cl level has been kept in the 10-20 range continously for the last 4 days. Last night Cl only dropped from 12-10 overnight so it didn't use much. I brushed the bottom before nightfall thinking the Cl would be more effective if the algae is dispersed through the water. This morning I can still barely see the bottom of the ladder. Am I missing something?

[mbar]

You have to keep adding chlorine - but you must be consistant. Don't let it drop down at all. Keep it at 12ppms, and keep the filter running 24/7. If you have a sand filter, you can put a cup of DE in the skimmer. You can also cut the leg off a pantyhose stocking and put it in the skimmer basket - it helps to filter out small particles. I opened my pool to a green swamp on Thursday. Using lots of bleach, keeping my filter running 24/7, and vacuuming everyday with a sock on the skimmer basket, a cup of DE in my sand filter, I now have clear water. It did take 3 full days to get completely clear. Have patience, and keep up with the chlorine. It will clear up.

[duraleigh]

Hi, Jaybee,

If you are seeing visible matter "blowing thru the filter" (i.e. back into the pool thru the return jets) you have a filtration issue.

No filter, sand, de or cartridge, should allow anything visible to reenter the pool. Like Marie said, you have to keep your Cl level up (looks like you're still consuming just a tiny bit) but I think, if I read your statement about visible matter correctly, that your filter is the primary culprit.

It was a good idea to brush up the stuff......but if your filter's at fault, it's a moot point.

[jaybee]

Well, I don't see particles that are visible individually, just a green cloud from the inlet when vacuuming. Does that make a difference?

[duraleigh]

Well, I don't see particles that are visible individually, just a green cloud from the inlet when vacuuming. Does that make a difference?

Absolutely. You should only be returning clear water to your pool. Check that filter. Are you backwashing?

[jaybee]

Yes, we're backwashing. We lost some sand out of the bottom plug during startup, I wonder if my sand level inside the filter is too low. I do have some additional sand and can add that to the filter. I was under the impression that a sand filter is incapable of catching very small algae particles, am in wrong about this?