if you have algae you need to bring you FC levels up to shock level. Try about 12-15 ppm (I noticed that your CYA was 9 when you posted your numbers. I find that suspect becuase most of the CYA tests on the market don't go below 20 ppm and test strips are not accurate!) and keep it there until the green is gone. You shouldn't need to add anything else at this point other than possibly bringing your pH down if it is still up at 8.2. It should be around 7.4 to 7.6 right now to help kill that algae. Use muriatic acid or pH decreaser (dry acid) to bring it down!
It would be very helpful if you would retest your water and post:
FC (Free Chlorine)
TC (Total Chlorine)
pH
ALK
CH (if applicable)
CYA (stabilizer, conditioner, cyanuric acid)
total gallons in your pool
type of pool (plaster, vinyl, fiberglass)
What type of testing is your pool store doing? From the numbers you posted it looks like they are using one of those computerized colormetric type of tests. (CYA reading of 9 is a bit suspect to me)
GET YOURSELF A DROP BASED TEST KIT AND DO YOUR OWN TESTING!
DON'T USE TEST STRIPS!
(Sorry for shouting but it's important!
)
You really need to keep tabs on your water parameters and it's very easy to do. Ben's kit (ps234) is a good value for the money!. There are also good kits from Taylor and other companies, even walmart has a 15 dollar kit that I personally would trust over the numbers your pool store gave you although it will only measure Total chlorine and not Free chlorine. It certainly would be better than nothing until you can get a good test kit.
Last edited by waterbear; 04-10-2006 at 09:58 AM.
Retired pool store and commercial pool maintenance guy.
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