Little stringy things all in the pool.

[Mom22]

Good morning. I am very glad to have found this site!

I have a 15 ft round above ground Intex pool (48 inches high). There are little stringy things all in it. I shocked it a few days ago, and have a flippen frog that was recommended to me by my local pool store. Also, I don't think the pool pump is very good. I have had this pool up for almost 3 weeks, and maybe the filter needs to be changed. I am afraid I am confused about what products to buy and how and when to test. I would like to know how to fix and maintain my pool.

Thank you kindly.

[BigDave]

Could you tell us more about the stringy things? I had whuit stringy things when I had my intex donut that upon close inspection were grass clippings that made it into the pool then were partially consumed by the chlorine.

Do you know your chlorine and stabilizer levels? Is the frog the only chlorine source?

[Mom22]

Those stringy things are more beige colored, and they are gluey textured. They stick to the skimmer and I can't throw them out. The only chlorine is from the frog. It is almost all the way flipped so I need to replace it. I did shock it a few days ago. On the test kit the ph level is less than 6.8. My test kit only shows a range of 6.8 to 8.2, and the color showing up is a little lighter than the 6.8. Th chlorine level must be too low, because the range is 0.3 to 3.0, and my color is showing up lighter than the 0.3 range.

[BigDave]

pH 6.8 or less is a problem in the "FIX IT NOW" category. It will damage plastic and metal. Go to Wall Mart or the grocery store and buy at least two boxes of 20 Mule Team Borax (in the laundry aisle). While you're there, pick up a few bottle of plain, unscented, bleach. If you go to Wall Mart, see if they have the HTH 6-way drops based testkit (pool section), if they do, buy one.

Go get the Borax ASAP.

Pour 1/4 to 1/2 box slowly in the pool and stir it up as best as you can with a surface skimmer or paddle or wahtever you have. Add a cup of bleach as well. Run the pump and let it mix for an hour or two then test pH and chlorine again.

If pH is below 7.4, repeat the Borax application. If chlorine is below 2 repeat bleach application.

Let us know what's happening.

[Watermom]

The only chlorine is from the frog.

Dave, did you catch this ugly four letter word?

[BigDave]

Yes, but, pH < 6.8 is more important for now. I thought "flippen frog" was just about right.

[Watermom]

Agreed!

[JV1980]

I've got those beige / pink stringy things too. What are they?? And how come the 12 jugs of bleach that I've used over the last few days hasn't wiped them out?

[BigDave]

My guess, biofilm colonies.

[Mom22]

Hello, I have put the borax and bleach in twice now, last night and a few hours ago. My ph is at a 7.6 and my chlorine looks slightly darker than 3.0. I couldn't get the other test kit yet, because they only had test strips at walmart. All I have right now is the jed 2 drop kit. Thank you for helping me.