Newbie needs help with Algae

[knarf#2]

This is my first year with a pool (AG 16x32) and I'm currently dealing with my first water problem. Here are the details: We went on vacation for 10 days and came back to a green pool (neighbor said it turned green 3 days after we left). When we returned I began to dump plenty of liquid shock and granual shock (not to mention a couple of different Algae destroyer products)to maintain high FC levels. It has been 2 weeks since we returned and although the color has improved and gone from a pea soup to a tealish color, it is still not clear. Currently my readings are:
PH 7.6
FC 10 (has been for the past 2 weeks)
CYA 40
TA 120

We have a cartridge filter (which I have rinsed and chemically cleaned since returning) I have also been brushing the walls and vacuuming and running the pump 24/7. We also have a Nature 2 sanitizer which I have not cleaned (per MFG directions), is it just a matter of waiting longer (most people I've talked to said it should have been clear by now), or is there something else I should be using or doing to clear the pool?

Thank You all in advance.

[mbar]

With a cya of 40 you need to take your chlorine level up to 15ppms and keep it there until the chlorine holds steady overnight. You must be very consistant, check as often as you can and everytime it goes below 15, add enough bleach to take it back up. The more consistant you can be, the quicker the pool will clear. At 10 ppms, you are keeping the algae contained, but not killing all of it, therefore your water will not clear. Also, keep the filter running 24/7, brushing and cleaning the filter as you have been doing. Bleach is the key, getting the level up to shock according to the cya you have.

[knarf#2]

Thanks for the advise - does it matter if I use the granual super shock (Calcium hypochlor) or the liquid bleach?? Is it all basically the same thing?

[Simmons99]

hypo-cal will also add calcium to your water in addition to chlorine. It will be fine to use as long as your calcium level is below 500ppm.

[CarlD]

Knarf:
Go to each forum and look for the stickied posts at the top. There are some for newbies, some for the B-B-B method, and some for the basic rules to clear algae.

The bottom line--all that junk the pool store sold you to toss in was mostly worthless.

What you need to do is:
1) Raise you Free Chlorine level to 15ppm and keep it there, checking 3x/day that it's up there and adding chlorine as necessary. For now, use regular or ultra laundry bleach--Liquid Chlorine at the pool store is the same stuff. Don't use anything else. 1 gallon of regular (5.25%) bleach will add 5.25ppm of FC to 10,000 gallons of water. 1 gallon of Ultra bleach (6%) will add 6ppm of FC to 10,000 gallons of water. Figure accordingly for your pool's volume.
2) Make sure your pH is between 7.0 and 7.6, but 7.2-7.6 is better.
3) Run your pump 24/7, backwashing whenever the pressure rises 5lbs.
4) Vacuum and brush your pool every day. Vacuum to waste, not to the filter.
5) Be patient. This WILL clear your pool, but it takes time and persistence. Don't add anything else.

It will work, but you have to follow these directions.

[knarf#2]

Thanks everyone for the great advise! I will keep at it and I'm sure I will conquer this minor setback.