algae and too low ph

[PoolDoc]

I have a summer escapes 16'x42".

I have struggled for 3 years now with uncontrollable algae and I can't keep my pH balanced it is always too low. Could it be my filter not filtering properly or my pump is too small for the pool.

All Intex and Summer Escapes pumps and filters are too small for the pool. That doesn't mean it's impossible to run a nice pool with that equipment -- 1,000's here have done so -- but it does mean that it's VERY hard to clean up the water if something does go wrong.

By far the easiest way for you to resolve your problems is to drain, refill, and use the Super Simple Recipe. This is not a long term solution: you can only operate using the SSR for about 2 months. But it will give you a chance to learn to do things right in a relaxed manner.

The only reason NOT to do this, is if water is very expensive or restricted in your location.

But, if you do choose to use the SSR, get your ducks in a row before you drain and refill. Your pool will still have live algae in the pipes and filter even after you drain, so if you aren't ready to treat the water correctly when you refill, it will turn green almost instantly. So, get the chlorine and the better filter cartridges BEFORE you start refilling!

[Danak]

OK I have bought the unicel filters and hth6 way test kit and BBB....here are the test results.....
Chlorine 5
pH 6.8
Alkalinity 80ppm
Hardness 120 ppm
Cya when I read the view tube it is at 30 ppm but I can still see the black dot on the bottom.
Still have very cloud green water. Draining and refilling is not an option.

[PoolDoc]

Ok.

Go to Walmart & get 4 gallons of PLAIN 8% bleach and 2 boxes of 20 Mule Team Borax. (Both are in the detergent section.)

Add borax 1/2 box at a time. Make SURE the pump is running. Premix the borax to dissolve it, or add it slowly via the skimmer. Wait 2 hours. Retest pH.

=> If pH is between 7.2 - 8.0, you're good to go.
=> If pH is above 6.8 but below 7.2, add 1/4 box, wait and retest.
=> If pH still at 6.8, add 1/2 box, wait and retest.

Once your pH is between 7.2 and 8.0, add 1 full gallon of bleach to the pool. Do this after 6pm. Brush the pool completely, including side walls after adding the bleach. Retest in the AM; report results AND pool color and appearance here.

Good luck!

PS: Do you have access to a Sams Club?

[Danak]

Is it OK to keep the solar cover on? Yes I do have a Sam's Club near but no membership. I will report back in the AM. Also do u add the bleach into the skimmer as well?

[PoolDoc]

Add the bleach to the pool, not the skimmer.

You'll need some dichlor to add stabilizer -- once you have the algae all dead.

Most dichlor from Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, etc is diluted and blended. Some of the things added can cause problems. Go to the SSR page (http://pool9.net/ssr/ and use the links there to get 10lbs or less of dichlor. You can check Home Depot and Lowes if you like: any dichlor that contains 56% or more available chlorine is OK. Do NOT get trichlor. You'll have to look at the ingredient names: any name that contains "-dichlor-" anywhere in the name is dichlor; likewise any name that contains "-trichlor-" is trichlor.

[Danak]

OK this AM results are Cl off the charts above 5 and pH 7.5. The water appearance is still cloudy but a lighter green color. At this point I feel a little frustrated.

[PoolDoc]

I'm sorry, but I need to warn you again: clearing a Summer Escapes or Intex pool, once algae has formed, is a SLOW process, more likely to take weeks than days. That's why I encouraged you to drain and refill.

The Unicel cartridges will help, but not make it a speedy process.

Back to the pool: if your pool is STILL green, you need higher chlorine levels. Without knowing your CYA level (for which you have to have either a K2006 or an HTH 6-way drops kit), I can't say how much higher.

I hope you are using an OTO drops kit -- if not, you need to be. Keep raising the chlorine till you get into the OTO orange range. Once the algae finally dies (turns gray), brush the pool completely and HOLD the chlorine level at whatever it is then for several days. Then you can begin letting it drop.

At that point, if you want to add a clarifier it will likely speed the process somewhat. Chem_Geek has done some testing with different products, and has reported that the BioGuard Polysheen and the GLB Clear Blue work best. But, do NOT overdose -- doing so will actually make things WORSE, not better.

Be SURE to rotate your Unicels in and out, after cleaning them properly: http://pool9.net/cart-clean.

You can swim, once the algae is dead. But if the chlorine is still in the orange range, wear old suits: high chlorine will damage them; people are far, far more resistant than swimwear!

And, be patient -- it WILL be a slow and frustrating process.

There is a faster way, using floc, but it's tricky, and requires that you have the equipment to vacuum to waste (out of the pool and on to the ground).

Good luck!