1st time pool owner

[Watermom]

Can you take a net and try and get most of the debris out? Usually, you vacuum to filter and then backwash when your pressure rises 8-10 psi over clean filter pressure. But, if you are vacuuming up a lot of debris, you can vac to drain. (I assume that setting is the same as the 'waste' setting on most filters.) Yes, you will lose a lot of water. You might try vacuuming to filter first and see how fast your filter pressure rises.

Also, right now, don't add any chemicals to your water except chlorine. Liquid chlorine or bleach will be best right now. You need to tackle the algae problem first before you try to make a lot of other adjustments. Run your pump 24/7 while you are trying to clear your pool and keep an eye on the pressure gauge. You may need to backwash frequently if there is a lot of gunk in the pool.

Typically, when you are dealing with algae, you need to be adding chlorine more often than every three days. We are gonna need to know current chlorine readings. Most of the cheap test kits will only register to 5ppm. But, we can teach you a way to make it read a little higher. Not as accurately as a better test kit, but a ballpark figure. After you get your kit, will explain the "shot glass method." Ultimately, you'll want to invest in a better testkit, but this will work to get you started ---- unless your pool store sells a good test kit. If that is the case, you might just want to go ahead and buy a good test kit now. I can't recall the Taylor model we usually suggest, but somebody will most likely be along shortly that can fill that info in. Hope this helps.

BTW - I wouldn't even open up the stuff you bought at the pool store. After the algae is cleared up, we'll help you get your water balanced. You man not even need some of that stuff and may be able to take some of it back.