Need help! Please!!!

[aylad]

Yup, it's normal--and it's the algae, not the sun that's consuming it. THat's why it takes additions multiple times a day to keep the Cl level high enough to do any good.

Janet

[bgray]

OK, at 6:30 this morning I had TC of 12 and pH of 7.2
I did not test CYA, as the reagent is quickly running out. However, the last three tests (since turning off the chlorinator) have indicated 90, so I'm going with that for the time being.

I added about 4.3 gallons of 6% bleach this morning to get back in the 20ppm shock range.

I know I asked about how long to clear up. But, I guess I'm wondering how long until I see ANY difference?

Also, my wife came up with an interesting idea. In between the times I am able to brush, we activate our Polaris with the bag removed. He drives around, kicking up all that *stuff* that is on the floor (which I still cannot see...)

Does anybody have any input on this idea? It seemed to work yesterday, except that I still had live algae, which really gummed up my cartridge filter. It took me much longer to clean it last night. But, once the algae is killed, it seems like a good brushing supplement. Comments?

Thanks for all the help/psychlogical support!
bgray

[duraleigh]

bgray,

based on your previous posts, I think you're making progress but I don't think you're bringing your Cl up high enough.

With a CYA of 90 and a gunite pool, I believe you are perfectly safe raising you Cl into the low 30's. That will ensure that you are reaching breakpoint and freeing up more Cl to do the job.

I agree that the Sun is not your issue with a CYA that high. I do believe organics are consuming the Cl so quickly that you are not reaching breakpoint.

[bgray]

Well, the good news is that my wife reported a slight change in color from green to blue-green after this morning's additional Cl.

duraleigh,
Now that I've been given the green light to crank the Cl up to 30+, I am ready and able. The next time my wife will be able to tend to the pool is late this afternoon. Then, after work, I'll make another trip to Sam's (those people think I'm dissolving a body or something with all the bleach I'm buying... ) and mega-shock it after the sun goes down. Thanks for the feedback.

Anyone want to chime in on the Polaris idea?

[bgray]

MORE GOOD NEWS!

My wife now describes the water color as "turquoise."
TC is still 20+, so we're holding our shock levels. HOORAY!
She did say that pH is reading at or slightly below 7.0 -- that is concerning me...
I know I read that pH readings could be wacky at high Cl levels. But, I thought the wackiness came in the form of unusually HIGH pH test results. Mine has dropped from 7.2 (consistently) to this latest result. Should I disregard it as high Cl wackiness? Or, should I add Borax? If add, how much?

She also said that the cloudiness resulting from brushing has moved from green to grayish-green. Sounds like progress to me!!!

I am a believer.

Thanks to all --
bgray

[bgray]

UPDATE:

This morning, the water was definitely MUCH LESS green and MUCH MORE milky. When I cleaned my Pentair/PacFab cartridge filter, it was a LOT easier to clean the pleats with the hose than when there was slimy green algae.

My question now is: At what ppm do I need to keep the Cl levels until the water TOTALLY clears up? 20's per Ben's best guess CYA chart? 30's per advice of Duraleigh? Something else?

[bgray]

OK, today I added some Super Blue clarifier (10 oz. for 28k gallon pool). I also added about 3 more gallons of bleach. The water is definitely clearing up. HOORAY!

My question is: how frequently can a clarifier like Super Blue be used? My spa cleared up beautifully, but the shallow end of my pool is still a little cloudy and I still cannot see the bottom of the deep end.

Thanks,
BG

[mkamp1515]

BGray...keep up with the patience. I understand it is hard to do at times. By the way, your first name would not happen to be Bernard would it? If it is, I bet you are a football official in the Fort Worth Chapter. I am in that chapter (10 years). Let me know.

Mike Kamp

[bgray]

Guilty, as charged. Indeed, I am that very same impatient football referee in FW. Small world, huh Mike?

I am just going crazy with 95+ degree weather and not being able to swim...

But, I'll be swimming soon...

[mkamp1515]

It is a small world. You need to be swimming so you can be in the proper shape for the season coming up. I understand that. Is it better today? Just keep doing what the people tell you to do on this forum...they know what they are talking about.

I have fortunatley not had algae yet since we built the pool last year. I have paid attention to this forum and it has helped. I do keep having a high phosphate problem though. Have been thru several bottles of PhosFree this year and it works. But something keeps getting in my pool to make the phosphates go off the charts which can lead to algae. Must be fertilizer somehow even though I do not get near the pool with it.

Keep up the work on the pool...you will be swimming soon.

Mike