New User Getting Butt Kicked By Algae

[TCP007]

Yes, I mentioned this yesterday. I already added my floater back into the pool a couple days ago (Tri-Chlor 1" tabs). I use granular Di-Chlor as my regular sanitizer. You suggested I wait until my FC comes down to 3 or 4 before adding any. I shocked last week using liquid chlorine (Walmart had a sale for boxes of two, 1-gallon jugs of HTH liquid chlorine for $6.50!) but I don't buy liquid chlorine typically.

You suggested that people don't stay on top of their chlorine 100% the time, and that is almost certainly true of me, but I'm pretty sure I'm more diligent than the average bear. I believe I'm learning that my chlorine has been sabotaged by my low (perhaps zero) CYA levels. If none of what I just said is true, then I'm really wasting time, and have done too much online reading.

Thanks for listening and sharing.

[Watermom]

I'm sorry that I didn't scroll back through to reread this thread when I asked if you had trichlor or dichlor on hand. With as many posts as we answer in a day, sometimes questions/info gets repeated.

Trichlor will add CYA but will do so slowly. If you want to increase it faster, you are better off using dichlor. For every 10ppm of chlorine that it adds, dichlor will also add 9ppm of CYA

I hope you didn't think I was saying that you aren't staying on top of your chemistry. That was certainly not my intent.

You are right that not having enough CYA will cause chlorine to be lost faster.

[TCP007]

WM: Part of what I do for a living is tech-related. No, I was not offended and I realize you can't keep track of every sentence that a person writes. This type of medium is chock-full of information gaps, and I completely understand it isn't perfect. I don't envy what you do here at all (understatement!) but I really do appreciate that you do it. I believe this site is a GREAT source of information, thanks to people like you.

[Watermom]

Thanks!

Hope we are able to help you get things straightened out. I think you are on the right track. Let us know if you have further questions and we'll be happy to try and help.

[TCP007]

I'm glad I checked into this site, and I do think I'm on the right track. Thank you!

I have been buying product from In The Swim. If we aren't supposed to post pool vendors' names/stores, please delete and accept my apology.

I buy granular chlorine from them (di-chlor) and 1" tabs for my floater (tri-chlor), as well as opening and closing kits. I'm looking at their stabilizer/conditioner right now. If you have a different recommendation for conditioner, please let me know? Thanks!

[BigDave]

Have I offended you? I didn't mean to and am sorry if I have. Maybe I'm having a grumpy day. I promise you I don't have all the answers, sorry for sounding that way.

I don't really feel that this site is a "Mecca" but I do know the information presented here is carefully considered and reviewed. We occasionally see posts that are technically wrong but they are almost always challenged. That's kinda what my response to your muriatic acid post was. I wanted to help you get it straight but also set the conversation right in the thread for someone who reads it in the future.

Please do ask questions. We want you to learn to keep your pool clean and safe with the least time and expense.

[TCP007]

I think my dilemma now is trying to figure out what my FC level should be, while I attempt to raise my CYA levels.

I just found a chart that has recommendations (originally from Ben Powell, no less!). For a CYA of 20 the target FC is 3. My CYA is most-likely lower than 20 and my FC was 12.5 as of last night, so I think I'll follow WM's and Dave's advice and hold off on the Di-Chlor (for now) and buy conditioner. With some luck, maybe my FC will start to drop in conjunction with my CYA improving.

I'm going to continue testing the TA levels, but plan to worry less about that as Watermom has suggested. (at least until I get CYA figured out)

My in-ground, gunite pool has direct sunshine practically all day long, so what is a good target CYA? I'm going to target at least 40 unless someone here advises differently. According to the chart, I'll try to maintain my FC between 3 and 5.

That's my plan going forward, pending moderation from the pro's here.

[CarlD]

Maybe it will help to think of those FC levels as minimums for the CYA levels. With a vinyl pool, going significantly past the shocking level MAY. bleach your liner some, but won't harm a hard-sided pool at all.

[BigDave]

You are correct that you need CYA to protect chlorine from the sun.

I'm confused that you've been chlorinating with trichlor and dichlor and your CYA level is low - we usually see the opposite.

I don't think you are wasting your time here but any time spent where ideas like muriatic acid will raise CYA and have no effect on pH is a waste.

Stay with us. We'll get you right.