Insatiable and Cloudy -- that's my pool -- please help

[kearpaul]

First, thanks to John, Jan and Carl for your insight.

Now, if you can stomach them, some subsequent events.

I again cleaned the cartridges. They were coated with a light yellow crud, kinda like a flour and water mixture. (This was less than 3 days after the previous cleaning.)

Then, just for yuks I guess, I took a water sample to our local pool store. Drum roll, please.

I hasten to add that my pool-store folks seem competent and, I think, honestly believe in what they tell/sell.

My PS 234 readings were very close to theirs (exception was ph; they said 6.7 vs. my 7.2) I was told my TA and ph were too low. Correct these and then shock, sez they. They recommended 10 pounds of baking soda, er, excuse me, "Biogard Balance Pak 100" to raise TA and Balance Pak 200 to raise ph. They told me liquid chlorine would be fine for shocking. I proceeded to buy some goggles for my daughter, but that's all.

Anyway, I have added baking soda (perhaps 2 pounds) and will add 4 gal of 10% LC as Carl suggested.

Cheers and thanks again,
Paul
_ _ _ _ _
Nothing is better than the unintended humor of reality.
Steve Allen

[Spensar]

Generally the advice I've seen here is shock and knock out the algae before balancing the water. Maybe bring the PH up but worry about the alk later. As stated, the key is to keep the chlorine trucking at a high enough level for a while so all the algae is knocked out. If you get a good amount of stuff accumulate on the pool bottom, you can vacum to waste and spare the filter.

[aylad]

I proceeded to buy some goggles for my daughter, but that's all.

Way to go!!!! One less pool-stored story--that's what I like to hear!! Your plan of attack is good, add the chlorine like you intend, but keep the chlorine level at 20 until the water clears up--a one-time dose probably won't do it.

Also keep in mind that if you're going to adjust your pH, do it based on readings taken before you shock--once your chlorine gets above 15 or so, the pH levels will be falsely high. (And I would trust the PS 234 over the pool store anyday.)

Janet

[CarlD]

I agree with Jan.

Furthermore, if your pH is 7.2, it's a feature of chlorine that it's more effective at lower pH--7.2 is better for fighting algae than 7.8--but the water is easier on the eyes at 7.8.

Your T/A is 80, which is the lower end of the acceptable range. Unless you are having troubles holding pH steady I wouldn't add baking soda. I also only add one pound at a time, wait a few hours and test T/A. It's always MUCH easier to add more and wait than to correct for too much. The ONLY exception is chlorine--you want to hammer the algae hard!

[kearpaul]

Ok, I added 4 gals of 10% LC last night. The pump ran about four hours overnight. At 9am today, my FC was a mere 1.0.

Should I be scared?

[CarlD]

No. Add another 4 gallons. You are fighting algae, that's why your FC is low. You want to get your FC up to 20 and keep it there...when it drops, you need to get it back up or you'll be back to square one.

That's why we say test and adjust your water 3 times a day when you are fighting algae.

[ivyleager]

I think you may see improved results for your effort if you run your pump/filter several days 24/7. This step is critical.

CaryB

[CarlD]

I think you may see improved results for your effort if you run your pump/filter several days 24/7. This step is critical.

CaryB

How did I miss that? Yes, run your filter 24/7 and vacuum to waste and brush your pool everyday (this is when you appreciate a robotic that climbs the walls!).