Where do I start first?

[jen in tx2]

My pool is super nasty green, my pump went bad and started leaking about a month ago and I was unable to buy a new pump until last week so I need to start the cleanup! Below are my stats...

Above ground 16' x 24' x 4'

Using a 6-way test kit from Wal-mart...
TC .5
pH 8.2
Alk 80
CYA 0

I have been putting a gallon of bleach in a day for the past 3 days trying to just lighten it enough to see the bottom and it used to work really well but the color hasn't budged this time. I know I need to get my CYA level up to at least 40 and my pH needs to come way down but what do I do first? Or do I do it all at once?

Jen

[Ohm_Boy]

Well, if it were me, I'd add a couple of cups of muriatic acid, followed by a sock-O-cya (enough to hit 35 or so... 50 - 55oz) about a half hour later. Then I'd hit it with bleach again once the sun starts to drop.

That should bring the PH down to mid range, start getting some stabilizer into the water, and continue chlorination.

[Watermom]

Actually while you are fighting an algae bloom, you don't need to worry about the cya. Clean up the pool and then add it later. For now, try and test as many times a day as you can and each time add enough bleach to get back up to shock level. The more often you do, the faster your pool will clear. Also, run the pump 24/7 while you are trying to clean it up. Keep us posted how it is going.

[aylad]

Just to add to what Watermom said, your target chlorine level for shock should be about 15 ppm, and you especially want to bring the level back up to shock in the evening before bed, although the more times during the day you do that, the faster the pool will clear. I agree with her about waiting on the CYA--the algae is going to eat the chlorine up faster than the sun will, anyway. I would put a cup or so of muriatic acid in while the chlorine is under 10 ppm, wait an hour or so for it to circulate, then recheck your pH--it really needs to be in the7.2-7.8 range, but it will test falsely high when your chlorine is above 10.

Janet

[jen in tx2]

Thanks for all of the advice, I am eating a late dinner and then going out to recheck my levels, I will keep everyone posted!

[jen in tx2]

OK, I got anxious before everyone messaged me yesterday morning and put in....

3lbs of Stabilizer and Conditioner
2 - 3/4 gallon bottles of bleach
9oz of pH Minus

Last night I added another 2 bottles of 3/4 gallon bleach.

This morning I tested and my numbers are...

TC = 9 (using the shot glass method, hope I did it right)
pH = 7.5
Alk = 80
pool still green so I just added a bag of super shock-it (need to run to the store for bleach!)

Should I be vacuuming or brushing the pool?

[aylad]

If you have debris in the bottom of the pool, go ahead and vaccuum it out--no need in using up your chlorine trying to sanitize leaves! IF not, don't worry about the vacuum but do brush the pool at least daily--it will help knock the algae off the walls and increase the algae exposure to the chlorine. Your pH and alk are fine for now, and it will take several days for the CYA levels to register. For now, keep hitting it with bleach, trying your best to keep it at 15 ppm until it starts to clear. Your pump should run 24/7 during this time, and clean your filter as necessary. It will clear with a little patience and a lot of chlorine!!

Janet

[jen in tx2]

Thanks sooo much! It actually looks a little lighter green this afternoon! There are no leaves, it just got green because I couldn't run my pump until I got the new one installed. I will start brushing in the evenings before my massive dose of bleach!

[aylad]

Keep up the massive doses of bleach in the evenings, because that's when it's going to be most effective, but if you will also add to get back up to 15 ppm in the mornings, it will clear faster.

Janet

[jen in tx2]

I added a bag of shock yesterday morning and then added 6qt. of bleach yesterday evening.

This morning my readings are...

pH 7.4
Alk 90
TC 12

Should my TC be dropping more overnight? My pool is still a lightish green and I can't see past a foot or so, how long before I can expect it to start clearing?