Downside to using Bleach...

[tonyl]

I think you're on the right track but you'll need to brush those walls so the chlorine can get down to it.

[Watermom]

You are right - the goal is to have the FC = TC. Also, keep an eye on the ph. You don't want it below 7.0 or the water becomes acidic and can damage your pool. Keep pouring the bleach!

[leejp]

I think you're on the right track but you'll need to brush those walls so the chlorine can get down to it.

Yes... but I still have the loop-loc cover on and it'll be a while before it comes off (after the norway maple spinners, pollen... are all gone, usually late May in my neck of the woods). I just got the pump/filter going to prevent the algae from completely taking over. It's running 24x7 but once the FC begins to hold I'll knock it down to the usual ~8HRs (7PM-3AM and add a 1/2 jug bleach every day at 8PM).

[waste]

Yes... but I still have the loop-loc cover on and it'll be a while before it comes off (after the norway maple spinners, pollen... are all gone, usually late May in my neck of the woods). I just got the pump/filter going to prevent the algae from completely taking over. It's running 24x7 but once the FC begins to hold I'll knock it down to the usual ~8HRs (7PM-3AM and add a 1/2 jug bleach every day at 8PM).

Leejp, ditch the cover, start the filter system and let your skimmers do their job. While you're at it, brush as per above. Without the system running and vacing and brushing the pool, you are probably wasting as much $ on chems as running the pool would cost you. Pollen will pass right through your safety cover, and the 'spinners' will gather in your skimmer basket, just empty the basket (s) morning and night. (The big stuff is easier to get out than the little 'green' stuff)
Just a little well intentioned advice, accept or reject as you see fit

In any event, good luck with your pool!

[leejp]

Leejp, ditch the cover, start the filter system and let your skimmers do their job. While you're at it, brush as per above. Without the system running and vacing and brushing the pool, you are probably wasting as much $ on chems as running the pool would cost you. Pollen will pass right through your safety cover, and the 'spinners' will gather in your skimmer basket, just empty the basket (s) morning and night. (The big stuff is easier to get out than the little 'green' stuff)
Just a little well intentioned advice, accept or reject as you see fit

In any event, good luck with your pool!

I may take the cover off just to brush and collect the stuff on the bottom (it's not a lot) but it's going back on. Emptying the skimmer 2x/day is not a problem. But it's more like 10x/day with enough spinners each time to cut off flow. Those of you in the Northeast with Norway Maples know EXACTLY what I'm talking about.

The crazy thing is...it's all from the Neighbors. I have but 1 Norway Maple on my property on the other side of the house from the pool. I cut all the rest of my Norway Maples down. They are horrible, horrible trees, drops junk year round, roots close to the surface so nothing grows underneath it... the problem is that it's so invasive it's beginning to take over the forests around here.