algae control with high stabilizer

[thespian49]

I use 6 way hth test strip n also take the water sample to the pool store they tend to match most of the time. Can I use 'Pool Brand' Algecide 40 to control this problem? It seems to create foam in the spa water! On using simple liquid bleach (sodium hypochlorite, 6%) can I directly add it to the skimmer? It has been raining for last two days n the afternoon test was cya 100, fc 0, th 100,ph 7.2 ta 80.

[PoolDoc]

Do *NOT* use foamy algaecide; it's not really effective and it's not really chlorine compatible. Instead, do these things:

1. Purchase a cheap OTO / phenol red kit (yellow / red drops).

2. Purchase 10 gallons of PLAIN 8.25% household bleach for each 10,000 gallons of water in your pool. Purchase 1 gallon of plain *DISTILLED* water (not spring, not bottled, not artesian: "distilled"!).

3. Read the Best Guess page, linked in my signature.

4. Add 4 gallons of bleach per 10K gallons of water.

5. Brush the pool, and make sure the pump is running 24/7

6. Test the water with the OTO kit. If the result is not VERY dark yellow -- darker than the test block shows -- add 3 more gallons. KEEP the water in the DARK yellow range. KEEP the pump on. Test the pH by mixing 1 cup of pool water with 1 cup of distilled water, and testing that mix. (High chlorine messes up the pH test; adding distilled water dilutes the chlorine, but changes the pH by only a tiny bit.

7. Meanwhile, order a K2006 test kit -- link in my signature block.

8. Test the CYA level as soon as the K2006 arrives. (Test strips are ESPECIALLY bad at testing CYA!). Since the CYA is probably high, test a mix of 1 cup pool water + 1 cup of distilled water. This does affect the reading, so multiply your result x2.

9. Re-read the Best Guess page and determine your correct chlorine level, for your CYA level. Use the K2006 FAS-DPD to adjust your chlorine level. Then, test with the OTO -- if you can recognize the color, you can use OTO for 'quick' testing, to avoid using up your FAS reagent too quickly.

10. Oh, yeah. Do NOT add ANY more pool store stuff: not algaecide, not phosphate remover, not clarifier, not flocculant -- NOTHING. If you need to RAISE the pH, use borax. If you need to LOWER the pH, use muriatic acid. (See safe handling page linked in my signature.)

Good luck!

[thespian49]

Thank you, this may help. What do I do with the 'distilled water'? Do I add bleach to the skimmer or directly in to the pool water?
my readings this morning :
TH 200, FC 3/4, PH 7.5, TA 180, CYA 100.

[PoolDoc]

The distilled water is just for testing pH, when the chlorine is high, and CYA when the CYA level is > 100 ppm.

If your pump is running AND there are NO chemicals in the skimmer, you can add bleach directly to the skimmer.

[thespian49]

Yesterday, I took the water sample to Leslie pool and the results were as follows:
FC 2, Calcium Hardness 70, CYA 100,TA 130, PH 7.6, TDS 1100, Phosphates 1000.
What do I do first?

[PoolDoc]

1. Raise your chlorine level, to DARK yellow via OTO test (cheap OTO phenol red kit -- yellow / red drops).

2. Get a K2006 --you need to be keeping chlorine levels above 5 ppm, and you can't do that accurately without the kit. Link in my signature block.

3. Do not worry about phosphates or TDS. Do not do anything about your alkalinity or calcium now.

4. Stop using stabilized chlorine (dichlor or trichlor)

5. Post your pump and filter info. Cal hypo may be a good chlorine option for you, if you have access.

6. Post your pool info: size, type, equipment, etc.

7. Go buy 15+ gallons of 8.25% household bleach for now, along with that OTO kit. Add 2 gallons of bleach for each 10,000 gallons of pool water.

[thespian49]

what is the OTO test (cheap OTO phenol red kit -- yellow / red drops).? Where can I buy it?

How do I link to your 'Link in my signature block?'

4. Stop using stabilized chlorine (dichlor or trichlor) you mean the Chlorine tablets?

Pool size is apporx 18,000 gal, 38 x17 avg. 4.5 ft deep. I have Purex Triton model WF 30 service factor 1.04, motor is a Centurion Megnatek RPM 3450, Amp 115, PH 1., Filter is Purex Triton FNS Plus model FNSP 60.

[Watermom]

You can get an OTO kit at Walmart.

To find a K2006, click on the "Get the testkits you need" section in the blue section at the bottom of PoolDoc's post above.

And, yes, he means stop using the chlorine tablets because they are stabilized meaning they have CYA in them.

Hope this helps.

[PoolDoc]

or the block here . . .

[thespian49]

Taylor Complete FAS-DPD Pool Water Test Kit K-2006
by Taylor
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
List Price: $82.95
Price: $52.00
Is this it?