Newly Registered-Lots of Problems

[crandies]

32,000 gal plaster chlorine pool sand filter. I believe I have way too much HTH algecide in my pool in trying to remove the algea from the plaster paint. We have partially drained and are at a standstill.The remaing water is blue/gray cloudy and yes, it has burned off or ate up every single ounce of bleach. Any hope for clearing without draing? Thanking you in advance. Jacqueline in North Texas

[Watermom]

Hi and welcome to the Pool Forum!

We'll need some additional info to be able to help.

1. What size pump and what size of filter?
2. Exactly what all have you added to the pool, meaning ingredients and not just product names like 'shock.'
3. Do you have a drops-based test kit? If so, what kind? Post current numbers.

The test kit that we think is by far the best is the Taylor K2006 or 2006C (better buy). Not available locally but you can get it through this link that takes you to Amazon: http://pool9.net/tk/

But, in the meantime, go to Walmart and see if they have the HTH 6-Way drops-based kit (no test strips!) and get that. If they don't, get an OTO/Phenol Red kit (yellow and red drops) instead. Use it to test and then post your numbers. Also while you are at WallyWorld, get several jugs of their generic 8.25% bleach and a couple of boxes of 20 Mule Team Borax (laundry aisle).

Repost with requested info and then someone here can try and help you.

(Until you registration is completed, you won't be able to see the rest of the forum while you are logged in. So, copy that link and then paste it into a browser window after you log out.)

[crandies]

Thank you so much for responding. Last year I did go to the BBB system, but late in August could not get algea under control. I used the HTH 3XConcentrate. We cover our pool and I was ill this winter and not taking care of it. Uncovering in the last two weeks it was black. Over a period of 2 1/2 weeks we have added maybe 9 or 10 jugs of Clorox 3 X Concentrate each the equivalent of 182 ounces of bleach which if my math is correct is about 14 gallons. The water turned gray/blue and very cloudy and there were algea stains on the walls and steps. Over that period I added approximately 40 ounces of HTH 3XConcentrate. Yes I now know after reading more thoroughly that was not good. I went out and got the test kit and the things I needed. My test kit shows ZERO Chlorine and a 7.2 ph. HELP

[crandies]

crandies here again. Sorry I forgot about the filter and pump. My pump says Total HP-200. My sand filter is a Triton II TR100. Specs if they help.
filtration 15
flow rate 74 (280(
filtration area 4.91 s.f.
psi 50 maximum working

[Watermom]

What test kit did you buy? Take current readings and post them. Do you know the hp of your pump and how much sand your filter holds?

[crandies]

I am not sure that my post went through. HTH 3way kit. 600 lbs of sand. 2 hp pump. sorry, this is all new to me. J

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Zero chlorine and 7.2 ph. HTH3 way test kit

[crandies]

Should I start putting water in my pool. I am really lost here. We are in our 60's and do not have the strength or money to pay a pool company. I am unsure if any of my other post have gone through. I am not a computer person.

[PoolDoc]

Questions, then answers.

1. What *exactly* is the label name of the Clorox product you added to your pool?

I can't find "Clorox 3 X Concentrate" on the Clorox website. I need to find out what you've been adding to the pool. Regardless, do NOT put any more in your pool. It is not possible to have bleach that is 3X as concentrated as plain store brand 8% household bleach.

2. Is your pool vinyl, fiberglass, concrete or something else?

3. Have you drained it? If not, how full is it?

(Do NOT drain it, if you haven't done so already!)

4. Is the pump running now?

5. If it's not drained, what does the water look like, now?


OK. Answers . . . and instructions.

1. I can't offer much advice yet, till you answer the questions above. I'm rather worried about what you've put in the pool.

2. If your local Walmart carries it, please get an HTH 6-way drops test kit => http://pool9.net/tk-hth6/ But, don't use it yet.

3. Check and see if you have access to a Sams Club in your area, and if so, whether they carry the PoolBrand dichlor. I'm guessing you may not have any stabilizer in your water. If so, the dichlor is a good choice for you. http://pool9.net/sams-dichlor50/

[crandies]

The Clorox I am using is sold at Costco in a box of Three 3.78 qt (121 fl oz) . The box states "NOW CONCENTRATED 3 x 121oz = 3 x 182 oz. Sodium Hypochloride 8.25%". I did fill up what I had drained and started the pump yesterday. This morning it is raining very heavily. Thank you so much for your suggestions. When it stops raining I will purchase a better test kit and put them to use. Frustrated in Texas.

[PoolDoc]

OK, good.

But, that's just the standard bleach concentration these days -- identical to the store brand bleach at Walmart.

Do *NOT* wait for it to stop raining, to take care of your pool. For some reason, many -- maybe most? -- people seem to think that they can abandon pool care during rainy spells. This has led to the myth that rain brings algae, but it's actually the lack of care that results in algae, not the rain.

You MUST maintain appropriate chlorine levels, even when it's rainy. As I wrote on PoolSolutions.com many years ago now, "pools can be easy, but are not forgiving". If you neglect your pool, even for brief periods, you WILL end up regretting it.