Low ph and algae

[PoolDoc]

Do you mean chlorine "stabilizer"?

You probably should NOT add any chlorine stabilizer, since you already have adequate levels, and since simply using tabs adds quite a bit.

[cdingess]

My oto is finally less than 25 its finally yellow and ph 7.2 but I think the algae came back but a little bit. I had small spots on bottom of pool just where pool curves to bottom?

I don't know what to do? Should I put more bleach in or put chlorine tab back in? Other than that the water is very clear, just spots starting up.

Please help.

[Watermom]

How much less than 25ppm? You really need to bite the bullet and get the good Taylor K2006 kit that we have suggested three or four times within this thread. It is very difficult to help you without you having the ability to have good CYA and chlorine numbers.

Brush the pool while the chlorine is high.

[PoolDoc]

Are you brushing the pool?

Physically disturbing the algae is necessary to break up the protection layers that the biofilms create. Other than consistent high chlorine PLUS brushing, the other treatment options are not super attractive.

=> Copper algaecides, at high doses work. But they also stain and turn hair green.

=> Ammonia based mustard products also work, but leave you with a downstream clean up mess -- very high combined chlorine.

The remaining option is what I'm currently testing: very low phosphate levels. But there are games going on with the concentration of the products. Currently, the only reliable product seems to be the Orenda PR-10000 product, which is not widely available. None of the major online distributors have it, probably because it makes their favored products look bad. Here's a listing from Google Shopping.

To use it, you ALSO have to get the Taylor K1106 Phosphate kit . But it appears you haven't even gotten a K2006 . . . so for whatever reason, so I'm guessing this is not an option for you.

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I think we're out of options here. I'll admit the choices aren't great, but they are what they are, and talking about them longer isn't going to change anything. Honestly, if your budget is too tight to allow you to get a K2006, it's probably too tight to deal with mustard algae, no matter what direction you go in.

You may be better off simply covering the pool, and adding chlorine underneath. After a couple of weeks at 20 ppm and no light, the algae will almost certainly be dead.

But I think we've done all we can do.

Sorry!

[cdingess]

How much less than 25ppm? You really need to bite the bullet and get the good Taylor K2006 kit that we have suggested three or four times within this thread. It is very difficult to help you without you having the ability to have good CYA and chlorine numbers.

Brush the pool while the chlorine is high.

It was 9. Can i buy the Taylor K2006 at a pool store so i don't have to wait for it in the mail? I thought the one from wal-mart was ok for checking chlorine and ph. I didn't know the Taylor kit was a must, i just want this stuff gone. I have been brushing the pool as well. I don't put the cover on at all even if rain is coming. Could that be the cause of this?

[PoolDoc]

You can try. Usually what happens is EITHER they don't have it at all OR they will try to sell you the K2005. It's not.

Order it from Amazon. If you can buy directly from Amazon, do so. If only 3rd party sources are available, give Amato preference.

Fixing this is going to take time, and if you get in a hurry, you'll simply become a pool-store victim, again.

[cdingess]

Ok I'll order it but till then should I keep the chlorine high at 9, 13, 25? This morning is was 9 ph 7.2. No green spots

[cdingess]

You were correct they did not have the Taylor 2006 kit, but I did take them a sample of my water. These are the numbers they gave me TDS 500 cya 82 tot chlorine 7.5 free chlorine 7.5 ph 7.8 tot alk 53 adj alk 28 tot hardness 163 a and no to black green mustard algae. I had them check my phosphates they are ok they said. Also they didn't talk me into anything. Thanks for the tip. Should I add chlorine tab to floater till kit comes or keep with bleach? This morning I used bleach. Thank you for all your help.

[Watermom]

Use bleach.

[cdingess]

The kit should be in by July 21-23 😎. Thanks again