A picture is worth a thousand words . . .

[Pamsel]

I thought I'd post some photos of my green pool in the hopes that seeing it might shed some light on my situation. The photos dated 5-23-06 is where the water is clear but there is dark green algae, clearly shown on the steps. The other picture shows that a lot was settled onto the bottom of the pool as you can clearly see where I had vaccumed. This was the day I took these photos to the pool store and was told to use copper algaecide to kill the algae or it would just keep coming back. (That was before I found this forum.)

Second set of pictures are taken today. My water has been cloudy and green like this ever since using the copper algaecide 5/23/06 and again 5/26/06 (one quart each time). On the pictures of the steps, you can see that the water is cloudy, but no visible dark algae anymore. However, the green color and cloudiness persist. I can see that there is a green film on the bottom of the pool. If I vacuum, it definitely is less green, but vacuuming stirs it up and turns the water darker, as does brushing it. Then it eventually all settles back on the pool floor again.

http://www.mtco.com/~aug20/5-23-06.jpg
http://www.mtco.com/~aug20/5-23-06%20(1).jpg
http://www.mtco.com/~aug20/6-12-06.jpg
http://www.mtco.com/~aug20/6-12-06%20(1).jpg


CL holding around 15
PH 8.3
TA 330-340
CYA either 25 or 0 depending on which test I believe. I added more granulated CYA two days ago and have not retested yet.

Any suggestions?

[duraleigh]

Hi, Pam,

1. You need to reduce your pH....pretty quickly. Get it down in the 7.2 - 7.4 range

2. You indicate your Cl is holding @ 15ppm. I'm not sure what you mean. Do you have a set of current test results? Post them up if you do. Cl will clear up any algae issues and that sure looks like algae.

Post those test results and let us know the last time you added Cl and how much you added.

Folks here will help get your pool sparkling.

PS - also let us know how much CYA you have added. (total)

[Bleach=Chlorine?]

There are two issues (kinda one) I see here. The pH is WAY to high, there has been discussion here about how Chlorine is far less effective at high pHs. Second, the TA is too high. Is a 1/4 drain and re-fill possible? Otherwise I would search the posts here for lowering the TA (I believe using aeration) and then brining the pH in line as well. That high pH is effectively shielding the chlorine from working.

[Pamsel]

Well, I guess I'm confused. I was told to concentrate on the CL/algae first and then work on the TA & PH. I have been adding muriatic acid every few days with aeration, but not daily since I was working on algae first.

The levels I posted were my reading this morning. I meant that I am keeping the Cl about 15 . . . can't be exact because I am doing the dilute/multiply method and I can't tell color shades exactly. Last add was 10:00 pm last night - 4 gallons.

Have added a total of 3.75# granulated CYA in the past 7-9 days. First add I did with a knee-high hung in front of my return jet and second dose I put in the skimmer. Both times it seemed to dissipate very rapidly. (I've read somewhere here that it should take several days to dissolve?) I have backwashed a few times since then, so maybe I've flushed it out?

I will go re-test and post up-to-the-minute results shortly. :-)

[Bleach=Chlorine?]

Pam,
Hold off on adding the CYA till last, you want that chlorine as 'unihibited' as possible. If you are currently working a plan of attack recommended by members here then continue that. I only wanted to point out that a high pH will inhibit what you are trying to do.

[Pamsel]

Here are current test results:

CL ~ 10-12 (again, I have trouble being sure of shading with dilute/multiply method) Will add another 2 gal CL right now, to get back up to 15
PH ~ 8.0 (I added 12 oz acid about an hour ago) How frequently should I add acid?
TA ~ 430 Will this come down once the PH is in line?
CYA ~ 40 (had already added second dose a couple of days ago)

I am running filter 24/7 and have been aerating 24/7 for past few days

[Simmons99]

Here are current test results:

CL ~ 10-12 (again, I have trouble being sure of shading with dilute/multiply method) Will add another 2 gal CL right now, to get back up to 15
PH ~ 8.0 (I added 12 oz acid about an hour ago) How frequently should I add acid? Careful here - is sounds like you have a test kit that is not able to handle high chlorine levels (over 10ppm) It may be giving you a false high reading. Test this again when your chlorine levels are below 10ppm.
TA ~ 430 Will this come down once the PH is in line?
CYA ~ 40 (had already added second dose a couple of days ago)

I am running filter 24/7 and have been aerating 24/7 for past few days

Have you had your water tested for copper? It seems to have a really "pretty clear" green to it.

[Pamsel]

Yes, it was tested on Friday. Copper was .2. Pool store said that wasn't significant. Is it?

[Simmons99]

Try private messaging mbar - personally I think you could have copper suspended in the water giving it the green look - but mbar can verify. You can try a sequestering agent for copper.

Copper tends to suspend in high chlorine levels. Have you used a copper algecide or used a source of water that may have metals (like well water)?

[duraleigh]

Hi, Pam,

Thanks for posting those test results.

Get your pH down....whatever it takes to get it down to 7.2 -7.4

I'm beginning to think that's copper as well. I just don't know cause I've never seen it.

You seem to have held your Cl up pretty well so algae is looking less likely. Mbar or someone will be along to answer your copper question in the other forum.

Work on Alk after you solve your green issue.