HELP dealing with mustard algae!

[shannon2014]

finally got the murky swap to go away but now am dealing with mustard algae. Brown clumps in low end and shady areas - dissappates into cloud when swept. waiting on Taylor test kit to come in but bought 5-1 drip kit from Home Depot and here are my readings. I vacuumed to waste and back washed and rinsed prior to these readings.
pH 7.8
Free Chlorine 5.0(as high as it reads)
Combined Chlorine 5.0(as high as it reads)
ALK 180 ppm

I know I have to keep chlorine high but not sure how much 8.25% bleach to add and do I need to drop my pH? Have 3/4 bottle left of lo and slo pH decreaser. Please help - kids started summer vacation today and are ready to revolt!

[Watermom]

What is your volume? And, do you have any idea what your CYA is?

[shannon2014]

pool is 23,200 gallons Unsure what CYA number is as test doesn't include this.

[Watermom]

Ok. Well, hopefully your kit will arrive soon so you can test CYA. That is an important number to know because needed chlorine levels are dependent on that reading. (Any idea when it is supposed to arrive?)

Each jug of 8.25% bleach will add 3.4ppm of chlorine. For now while you are cleaning up your pool and until we know your CYA reading, I'd probably aim for keeping the chlorine between 12-15. Also, run your pump 24/7 while you are working to clear it and turn your SWCG off.

Your pH is ok for now.

I'm not familiar with that particular test kit. Do you add yellow drops to get the chlorine reading?

By the way, I'm assuming testing error on the CC test. I would be very surprised if you had a CC reading of 5.

[shannon2014]

Taylor kit should be here Monday. Yes it is yellow capped solution added for chlorine test. I also noticed in my pump basket sand underneath when I took it out to empty it and sand on my buddy seats -there are 2 returns on those seats. I am assuming this isn't good. My first year opening pool on my own and getting frustrated. Please help. How many 121 oz juga of bleach should I add? Also what about putting a tablet in skimmer basket?

[Watermom]

I would not use the tabs right now, just bleach.

What i wrote above:
"Each jug of 8.25% bleach will add 3.4ppm of chlorine. For now while you are cleaning up your pool and until we know your CYA reading, I'd probably aim for keeping the chlorine between 12-15. Also, run your pump 24/7 while you are working to clear it and turn your SWCG off.'

So, you test, then add however much bleach you need based on that info above, to get your chlorine level back up between 12-15. Once we know your CYA level, we may revise that recommendation but for now it will give you a target.

The yellow chlorine test is called an OTO test. If you click on the following link, it will take you to a chart that gives interpretations of colors that are higher than that kit can actually measure. But, you can use the colors to get an estimate of what your chlorine level is. When you are trying to clean up a swampy pool, you want to keep the chlorine in the very dark yellow/orangish range. http://pool9.net/oto-chart/

(By the way, when your chlorine level is over 5ppm, the pH test on that kit will give you a falsely high reading. So, test pH whenever the chlorine is lower than 5.)

Not sure about the sand on the seats. What size is your sand filter (how many lbs. of sand does it hold.) Sounds like your filter may not be working properly. To test it, buy the smallest bag of DE that you can find, throw a handful into the skimmer and watch the returns. If you see white powder shooting out, your filter is not working. If it doesn't shoot out, the DE may actually help your filter to filter better. More about that here: http://pool9.net/de-test/

Hope this helps.

[shannon2014]

Here are my readings for today...what do I do next>
FC 30
CC 0
pH 7.6
TA 110
CYA 60

Took same sample to pool store to see what they said..they tried to sell me Balance Pak 100, pH reducer, stabalizer and Balance Pak 300
FC 15(highest can read)
pH 7.8
TA19 with Adj TA 3 (range 80-125)
CYA 54

[Watermom]

Have you passed the overnight test to see if you can go from sundown one evening to sunup the next morning without losing more than 1ppm of chlorine? Is the water clear?

I'm assuming you didn't buy any of that stuff. You need none of it.

[shannon2014]

Water is not 100% clear - hazy in deep end. Unfortunately I have to work the next 2 nights so I cant do that test until Sunday night. One question - what is a safe chlorine level for the kids to swim? I thought I would need to let the chlorine drop some before they can enter the pool. I can test water in mornings. Will post then Thanks Watermom!

[Watermom]

Personally, I'd let the chlorine drop quite a bit before swimming. It probably would not hurt you but it would be tough on swimwear. With a CYA of 60, I wouldn't have a problem swimming with the chlorine at 15 or so but that is personal opinion. Plus, if you have a hazy deep end, you have to be careful with being able to see your kids while they are in there. Post your numbers tomorrow.