For forty years...

[Watermom]

First thing we will need to be able to help are some good water testing results taken with a drops-based kit. No test strips or as we call them 'guess-strips.' Then, tell us exactly what all you have put in the pool meaning ingredients and not just product names like 'shock.' Tell us what kind and size of pump and filter you have. Then, somebody here can try and help you get this pool cleaned up!

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

[PoolDoc]

We want to help you keep the pool 'in control' while you learn more. So, right now, go get a cheap OTO/phenol red drops testkit, and 16 gallons of PLAIN 8% household bleach from Walmart. Also get the HTH 6-way drops kit, if available.

As soon as you have the bleach, add 2 gallons that EVENING. The next evening, test with one or both kits, report results and water appearance, and add another gallon. It's MUCH easier and cheaper to avoid algae, than to clean it up!

. . . and order the K2006.

. . . membership upgraded.

[PoolDoc]

. . . and thread finally moved to correct section.

[Susanne]

Thank You..I purchased a test kit and my ph was normal for two days and then went sky high with the need for acid....I will get more bleach and post again. Thanks so much.

[PoolDoc]

CAUTION: pH tests will NOT be reliable when the OTO chlorine is in the very dark yellow or orange range (> 10 ppm).

Under such conditions, test your pH by mixing 1/2 cup of pool water with 1/2 cup of distilled water (@Walmart) Test this mixture. Adding distilled water does not change the pH enough to matter, but you can NOT use tap water or anything except distilled or deionized water.

[Susanne]

I have a Tagelus TA 60 filter with new sand, summer 2013...Pentair HiFlow 6-way valve... and a pump that works well...great filtering and water flow. I have brushed it once a day, and I run the filter through the night (about eight until seven in the morning) Tonight I put in three gallons of bleach. I could see that it was turning from a darker green to an apple green but I cannot keep the chlorine level high enough by adding one gallon of bleach each evening....it does nothing...meanwhile the ph is 8.2, however was at 7.6 until just a few days ago. Help me!!! I cannot go another summer with a swamp!!! I spent at least a thousand dollars last year at the 'pool store' adding everything of this and that...no luck. I am still suspicious that the ex is throwing in a sprinkle of fertilizer...but cannot prove it. PLease tell me what to do next...this is so annoying. Thanks!!!

[PoolDoc]

We're spinning our wheels here. The instructions I gave you on 5/27 assumed your response on 5/28

Complete these 2 forms, so I have enough info to advise you.

http://pool9.net/pf-pool-form/

http://pool9.net/pf-hist-form/