algea in pool

[aylad]

Yes, you need to add bleach each time it drops below 8. IF you'll test for chlorine daily for awhile, you'll soon start to get a feel for how much you lose in a given day, and will be able to anticipate when to add the bleach.

Glad the pool is looking good!

Janet

[tara15]

im back again. everything was fine until i went on vacation. I had my mother in law watch and bleach the pool to no avail. the pool is now completely green. she said she put a 3 quart bottle of bleach in the pool per day but im not so sure. And now, my drop test kit is missing, and walmart doesnt have anymore pool supplies. Im using the test strips and they say the free chlorine is 10+. I also forgot to mention that my pool is covered at least 50% by a tree with leaves and debris falling in. I have spent so much money in this pool, that i feel like draining it completely, cleaning up the remainng algea and starting from scratch. I dont know what to do anymore. do you think the tree could be the problem? any help would help

[aylad]

Three quarts of bleach in your pool is only enough to raise your Cl by about 3 ppm daily. With a tree constantly dropping stuff in your pool, and with your CYA level as high as it is, your chlorine demand is much higher than that. You need to get your pool back up to shock level until it clears up again, and it will probably take a few days.....and then when you let it drift back down, don't ever let it go below 8, or you are going to have continual algae blooms.'

Janet

[threekittens]

You are using distilled water as instructed right when you do the dilution?

[tara15]

yes, i was in the past. But like i said in my last message my drop test kit is now missing, so i can only use the test strips. I will order the test kit here, but it might take a while.

[tara15]

hello again. so after about a week of shocking to about 25 my pool is now blue and clear. its been like that for about a week and im keeping my fc at about 15 to be on the safe side. i just have one more question. even though my pool is clear and blue, it does not have that sparkle that it used to have in the past. is there anything i can do to acheive that?

also, thank again for all of your help. I now have an understanding of my pool

[Watermom]

Do you have a sand filter? I quickly scrolled back through this thread and didn't see where you told us what type of filter, although I might have just missed it. Many of us with sand filters have been adding a little DE to it to help catch the really fine stuff that the sand filter might not get. If you decide to try it, premix it with some water and pour it in the skimmer while the pump is running. You only want to add a little - enough to raise the filter pressure by 1 psi. Add a cup or so and then wait 20 or 30 minutes to see if it rises. If not, add a little more. Continue slowly until you see the pressure rise by 1. This might help you get your sparkle back! Good luck.

[tara15]

I have a sand filter. The only problem is that the pressure guage is broken. My mother in law didnt bring in the filter last year and it cracked and broke in the ny winter. Is DE earth? should i try to add some anyway? Its been so cold and rainy here on long island that i might just close up the pool anyway. If i do, should i try to change the sand next year and if so, do you reccommend any type of sand? I heard of this stuff called "zeobrite". Have you heard anything about this type of media? sorry for so many questions.

[duraleigh]

Tara,

Before you invest in zeobrite (or anything else), replace your pressure guage. It is a valuable tool in pool management and will cost you less than Ten bucks.