Algae Problems

[bsnahive]

I was attacked by mustard algae.I have tried everything the Pool Store told me to do,but nothing seems to help. I have added Algecide with cooper to kill the algae and a floc to settle it out,but the water is still not clearing at all. My PH,TA and CYA seem to test O.K. but the CL level will not stay up. The pool seems to be eating the chlorine as fast as I add it.I just found out about this site and noticed a lot of talk about using bleach as a sanatizer. Can anybody give me any info on how to use it and can I use it after I used the copper based algaecide.

[mspool]

the members are going to need for you to post all of your test result numbers, especially your stabilizer/cya reading, as that is directly related to how much chlorine you need to actually be at shock levels. Its different for different cya readings. You can find on this forum a table to tell you how much chlorine you need at your cya reading. look on sticky posts, lot of good info. there. I am new to this so I don't know if the bleach can be added with the other stuff you put in. My guess is probably doesn't matter but maybe this will catch someone's attention who is more experienced. if you are not maintaining shock levels then it isn't going to make much of a dent in the algae. oh also if you are using test strips, the general consensus here is that they are not very accurate, you need to get a good test kit that can measure your cya/stabilizer accurately (walmart sometimes has the bigger kits) - this was crucial to my pool problems. Hope this helps. I did everything they told me to on this forum and got my pool clear with minimal expense and no depending on sales people for advice.

[duraleigh]

Mspool is on the money about test results. (his/her whole post has a lot of good advice) It's almost impossible to give decent advice without them. They need to be current and should include (if you can) FC, CC, pH, Alk, and CYA.

Unless you really overdosed with the algaecide, it won't be a problem.

Read all the "stickys" at the top of each forum...particularly chlorine. It'll get you a basic understanding of your pool water and we'll help you get started clearing it up.