karen

[karenkr]

Newbie to this forum--need help with inground pool algae problems.have shocked ,added algae removal , cleaned ,but still algae. my test strips show the ph is low at 6.4 and the chlorine level is low at 1/2. all othe levels are ok. have heard that you can add baking soda to increase ph -- is this true? any help would be appreciated

[Watermom]

Hi Karen,
We really need some test results from a drops-based kit to be able to help. Test strips are inaccurate much of the time. You can buy a 5-way kit at walmart for about $13. While there, pickup several jugs of plain, unscented bleach - generic Walmart brand is fine. Also a few boxes of 20 Mule Team Borax (in the laundry detergent aisle). Post back with your test results and also tell us the volume of the pool, if it is a vinyl liner, gunite, fiberglass. And specificialy what all you have added - ingredients, not just shock, algaecide, etc. Then, somebody here can help you with your pool. Welcome to the forum.

[karenkr]

thank you--I will get what you suggested and give it a try.

sorry if I bothered you the other way, or any other guys. This is the first forum I have ever been brave enough to enter so Im kinda dumb about the rules or the proper way to get help. Hopefully I am a fast learner

will keep you posted on my test results

thanks again

[mjs31]

thank you--I will get what you suggested and give it a try.

sorry if I bothered you the other way, or any other guys. This is the first forum I have ever been brave enough to enter so Im kinda dumb about the rules or the proper way to get help. Hopefully I am a fast learner

will keep you posted on my test results

thanks again

The experts are here to help. Don't worry about it..you did nothing wrong. If you have a nice pool I would highly recommend getting a better test kit than the walmart brands. You can get a great kit here on the site or something along the lines of the Taylor Technology kits. They just seem so much more accurate than the HTH brands and well worth the investment.

As for the help part...listen to the folks on here and you will do great. Take their word over any local pool shop etc..

[Watermom]

sorry if I bothered you the other way, or any other guys. This is the first forum I have ever been brave enough to enter so Im kinda dumb about the rules or the proper way to get help. Hopefully I am a fast learner

Karen, don't worry about it. You'll learn your way around the forum in no time! I am glad to see that you did post your question. I'm sure we can help you with your pool.

(In case anybody is wondering what Karen is referring to - she sent a private message to me and maybe the other moderators (?) to look for pool help instead of posting on the forum. I recommended that she post on the forum where lots of people can help her instead of just one. That is the best thing to do. There are lots of helpful people on the forum besides just the moderators. And, with 19,000 registered members, there is no way that the moderators can help each person individually through private messaging.)