First time algea problem

[myLABSpool]

Do NOT add algaecide--it will only make your problems worse. Chlorine is STILL the best algaecide there is.

I wish I read this before I just dumped 32oz of poly quat into my 24k gallon pool. Why do you say it will make my problems worse?

[chem geek]

PolyQuat has the least side effects of all algaecides so it's not a disaster that you used it. Mostly, if you add large amounts it will consume chlorine so you'll need to add more chlorine. With PolyQuat, it's mostly that it was not necessary than being a real problem.

PolyQuat is much better at helping to prevent algae, such as when the chlorine gets too low for a brief time, than it is killing an existing algae bloom. It simply kills too quickly to keep up with a full bloom. Shocking with chlorine is the best way to get rid of algae, even if it's a LOT of algae as shown in this thread.

Richard

[CarlD]

I wish I read this before I just dumped 32oz of poly quat into my 24k gallon pool. Why do you say it will make my problems worse?

You should have kept reading. Two sentences later I wrote:

"Even the only algaecide we recommend, Polyquat 60%, is not recommended to KILL algae, but only to prevent it."

As Chem_Geek said, the worst it will do is lower your FC to about zero and then you'll have to boost it again.

OTHER algaecides are the problem. They foam or add copper or do all sorts of unpleasant things that make your situation worse. Polyquat doesn't do any of those. Plus it doubles as a flocculant to help clear out the fine stuff that passes through the filter.

[myLABSpool]

Thank you Chem Geek and Carl D. I feel better after seeing your responses. This has been a stubborn run of algae that I had been marginally keeping at bay for the last 4 weeks or so. However in the last week it really got bad so I had to hit it hard. I've added 4 gallons of 12.5% chlorine to 24k gallons in the last 4 days and brushing daily and last night finally with polyquat.

I can attest that the Polyquat must have driven my CL level down, because last night it was well over 12ppm just before I added the poly quat, and this morning it was about 6ppm. Unfortunately I was out of CL this AM so it will have to wait till I get home from work to boost it back up. I'm also hoping to not see new algae growing

My numbers this morning are:
FC ~6 (last night 12)
pH 7.8
TTA 100
CYA ~60 (Higher than I'd like, and next year I'll use tablets minimal to keep it low)
24k gallon vinyl.

Thanks