Can't Get Rid of Algae

[heymom1]

How long do you run your filter pump? I've had algae over the last week, got rid of any visible sign of it on Sunday but have been running the pump 24/7 since then. It's not the cleaner that will get rid of algae, it's bleach. Keep your free chlorine levels high - like 10 ppm - and keep brushing every day. After you haven't seen any algae for a week, then clean out your filter cartridges or backwash. If you have a vacuum, I have read many times on this forum that you should "vacuum to waste," whatever that means. I guess it means you vacuum out all the gunk and dump it in someplace away from the pool...

Your CYA level isn't terribly high. Mine is running around 90 right now. When I get back from this summer's trips I am going to take some water out and start using the bleach method.

There's a lot of algae this year, I think it's in the air.

Oh, and you are right about the Polyquat - it's not for treatment of algae, it's for prevention. Ignore that recommendation. Even some pool stores don't sell it to you if you already have algae.

[ChuckD]

Sorry to whomever posted this advice. Poly will prevent the algae, not clear it out.

You need to measure both Combined Cloramines (CC) and Free Clorine (FC). Added together they equal your Total Clorine (TC). When your CC comes down to less than .5 you've eradicated the algae. Stick with just clorine (Chlorox, or the 12.5% you can get at many pool stores) and avoid the other branded "shocking" treatments.

You also need to run your filter 24/7 during this time.
And vacuuming to waste is simply diverting the water sucked up by the vacuum out from the pool system (on to the lawn, or whatever) to save stress on your filter. Some filter systems (like my Hayward EC65) don't have this option.

[heymom1]

See what a quick study I am? Only been back a little over a week and already I'm chiming in to tell people what not to do!

[Sprocket]

You got it Mom <S> to you .

It's all downhill and free sailing from now on .

WTG
spro

[CarlD]

OK: Up to your back bumpers in alligators: Not time to drain the swamp!

1) I don't know what your pH is but you should get it no higher than 7.6. Don't go lower than 7.0, but chlorine is more effective at lower pH levels.

2) Add bleach or liquid chlorine (same thing, different bottle) until your Free Chlorine level (FC) is 20 ppm (parts per million). Test your water 3 times a day and raise FC back to 20 when it's lower, like 15 or less. Plan to do this until your pool sparkles.

3) Run your pump 24/7 until it's clean.

4) Vacuum and brush your pool EVERY SINGLE DAY until it's clear. Vacuum to waste.

5) Be Patient and Persistant.

Now on to draining the Swamp:

You need a good test kit--Taylor K-2006, K-2006C or Leslies On-Line FAS-DPD Chlorine Service Test Kit. In a pinch you can use the WalMart HTH 5-Way Drop test kit--search our site for the Shotglass method to measure chlorine above 5ppm.

Once your pool is clear, plan on testing Chlorine and pH every day the pool is open. Check the other stuff, T/A, CYA and CH once a week. Keep a log of your weekly measures.

When something is out of range, add what you need to fix it ASAP.

Use the B-B-B method of chemicals. Lots of fancy pool store chems are a waste of $$$. You CAN use pucks, but watch your CYA and pH as it pushes CYA up and pH down. But instead you can chlorinate with bleach forever--tho the pool store guys will give you a song'n'dance as to why it's bad!

It's really very simple, easy and cheap to keep your pool clean all summer. Shocking isn't necessary if you test your water everyday and add bleach as needed, as long as Free Chlorine doesn't drop below the recommended range (for you, that's 5-10ppm ).

Finally: PolyQuat.

Polyquat's great stuff--it's the only algaecide we recommend and it is the only flocculant you need as well. Adding a couple of ounces every week will keep algae at bay if your chlorine level drops too far. It doesn't cause foaming and it's not dangerous.

But...it's an algae preventer, not killer. Only lots and lots of chlorine and brushing kills algae. Also polyquat will cause your chlorine level to drop, so watch that too. I like the stuff and use it, but I know what it does and doesn't do.

Then again, in 5 years with this pool I have only had one minor algae bloom and I raised my FC up to 15ppm, kept it there for 24 hours, ran my pump 24/7 at full speed and it was gone. I caught it early but I got a little lazy which was why it started--my own darn fault for not following my own advice!

[CTIGuy]

Up to what chlorine level is safe for bathers?

[CarlD]

Up to what chlorine level is safe for bathers?

The answer is, again dependent on your CYA level. Usually bathers are safe up to the shock level, but I prefer to let FC come down to at least close to the upper end of the maintenance level specified in the Best Guess table.

So when my CYA is in the 30-50 range, and shock level is 15, I'm personally willing to let anyone in up to 10ppm (Maintenance is 3-6ppm). Just wear old suits you don't mind having fade. At that level, I'm uncomfortable swimming near 15ppm.

But if your CYA is in the 100-200ppm range, your normal maintenance range for chlorine will be 8-15 ppm and it is PERFECTLY safe to swim then--in fact you shouldn't swim in it if it's BELOW 8ppm--it might not be sanitary. Shocking will be at 25 ppm and while it should be OK to swim at 20ppm, my own superstition creeps in and I won't do it. Then again, if my CYA is 100, I'm draining and refilling with new water to dilute it down to between 30 and 60ppm.