Spring start up problems with algae and filter

[dncellis2]

Meanwhile:

1. Remove your cartridge from the filter. Leave it out till the algae is all dead.
2. Begin adding 3 gallons of PLAIN 8% household bleach each evening. Brush the pool bottom after adding bleach.
3. Inspect the cartridge; there's a high chance it needs to be replaced. If the material is no longer crisp and stiff, or if more than 1/4 of the pleats have 'clumped' together, it needs to be replaced. Use ONLY an OEM, or Filbur or Unicel brand replacement. Post your exact make / model of filter, and we'll try to help you find the cartridge.
4. Read the cartridge care 'sticky' thread: http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php/18044
5. Wash off your existing cartridge and begin using it, once all the algae is dead -- pool water should be gray or brown, with no green.

With a good quality cartridge -- which, as far as we can tell, excludes all Asian made cartridges -- you should be able to filter DEAD algae; no filter removes live algae effectively. If your filter is severely undersized, it may be best to floc the algae -- again, once it's dead -- and then vacuum it out. After that, you'll want to focus on preventing recurrences.

Hello and thanks for the above extra advise.

I added 3 gallons of liquid pool shock (10%) ,that I bought at a local hardware store for $2.50 a gallon,this morning after I read your post. I'm pleased to say that now (8 hrs. later) the water is light blue and extremely cloudy with dead algae. I also scrubbed the walls and floor as you stated. I know I should have waited till evening to add this shock but I was just to anxious to try it. I have been shocking it but not this extreme.(The skys are cloudy today anyway)

I have done all five steps above and my pool IS coming around already. My pool is 26' X 54" A.G.round and holds approximately 15,000 gallons of water. The pump has 2000 GPH and is attached directly to the skimmer on the bottom.The cartridge sets inside the skimmer. From my manual, my filter system is a Pro-Series -SFS2000.Pump type- F2000C. And yes, I use Intex type A or C cartridge. In the past seasons, I rotate 6 to 8 of these during swim time and the pump runs 90% of the time. Usually Ill have a filter or two (because I didn't feel like cleaning it at the time) soaking in a 5 gallon bucket of water and a couple cups of bleach.Then Ill have a couple dry filters waiting to be used and surely one in the skimmer.This is the way I have been filtering my pool now for 3 seasons and I always BATTLE algae.These filters are new each year, by the way.

Floccing has been the only way to be shun of it. Even then it comes back in about 3 to 5 days.(With an algecide.)Y ou know the pool store insisted on this.With all this said, I began reading your web site this summer and became convinced that I could do this your way, the BBB way.Yet I did use the 10% pool shock because it stated it was 10% sodium hydrochlorite or close to that word. A gallon of bleach at 8% around here is about $3.50. How do I know about sodium hydrochloride? The pool forum of course.

I know Ive been long winded,but i am like a kid at Christmas since my pool began turnin around in the right direction today.I mean I was full of no hope and had given up on pool stores in my 1st. season.I had no where else to go.This Friday I am ordering the Taylor test kit thru amazon thru The pool forum.I cant wait to get that!!

One question before I go; Since my pool has turned from green to a very cloudy blue within 8 hours, do I keep shocking with 3 gallons each evening? I know, I know,this is probably where a really good test kit is needed. But just your educated guess is great with with me. Finally, do you think my filter system is even capable of removing the dead algae? If I must floc what do I use and when? Are you still there? Thats it from me. Entirely grateful to this web site and these people on it that I don't even know who so freely took their time to help little ole me.

Thanks, best regards, Barry.