Using Hydrogen Peroxide, and have started getting green & brown algae

[DRF2]

I mentioned this in my "welcome" message, and was directed to start a new thread

I've got a Doughboy 8300 gallon pool that I've had for a little less than a year. Last year, I had no problem keeping the water in great shape. This year with all the rain and the strange spring we had (several late season cold snaps), I started getting green and brown algae. (Green on the steps & in the skimmer, brown on the floor).
I'm using Oxygen Pools - Chlorine Free Water Treatment Complete System system for sanitizing, and overall it has worked well, until now. I'm not sure how to clear out the algae at this point - I have a maytronics vacuum that I use 1-2 times a week, and after a vacuum, it's clear. but a few days later it's back.

Because it's not a chlorine based system, I'm not sure what to test for and/or how often to test.

I've been using the same set of test strips between my pool & my spa, and I'm almost out, so any recommendations on what to get for water testing would be great also. I don't think the strips are really giving me what I need from an accuracy point of view, and certainly not telling me what the right chemicals and amounts. (The spa has stayed rock solid for the past two years - no issues there).

Thanks ahead of time

David F.

 

[PoolStored]

Start by getting a decent test kit. Will pay for itself. Do it today. Link-->Test Kits Compared

To clear the algae use this process once you get your kit. Link-->SLAM Process

Pool Math can help you track your pool and help determine the right chemicals and amounts to add when you get your test kit. Link-->PoolMath

There are three EPA accepted sanitizers for pools - chlorine, bromine, and biguanide. Thats it. Any that say they can do without them are using false advertising. In fact, all of them I have seen show you must still maintain a chlorine residual.

Oxygen pool granules add copper and sulphates. Copper stains the pool and sulphates can damage equiptment...no bueno in el poolo I, personally, would remove the Oxygen system.

Here is a guide to the truth "about alternate" sanitizers.

Alternative sanitizers and "chemical free" pools--The Truth!

Pool owners frequently seek out "Chemical Free" alternatives to pool water sanitization. Many claims in favor of these systems and methods have been made (usually by the manufacturers of such systems) often without adequate scientific proof of their efficacy. Let's take a look at them and see...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[JamesW]

We don't know this system and we can't really advise you about anything regarding its use or problems.

Have you contacted the manufacturer?

Contact Us - Oxygen Pools - Oxygen Based Water Treatment

Contact Us If you have any questions about operation, installation or need support; please fill out the form below and we'll get back to you shortly.

oxygenpools.com

If yes, what do they say?

If you want to use chlorine, we can help.

Pool Care Basics

Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

SLAM Process

PoolMath

FC/CYA Levels

Test Kits Compared

 

[DRF2]

I definitely appreciate all the feedback, and I will reach out to them. Normally when I test the water, the chlorine levels are correct, but this year I definitely haven't been able to keep up nearly as much as last year. We had several bouts of a lot of heavy rain, and that just threw me off in a big way. I've gotten the worst of it gone.

But the advice on all the testing will be super helpful..

Thanks!

David F.

 

[JamesW]

Normally when I test the water, the chlorine levels are correct, but this year I definitely haven't been able to keep up nearly as much as last year.

Chlorine or hydrogen peroxide?

You can't use both at the same time.

 

[DRF2]

I use the hydrogen peroxide, and when I test the water, the chlorine levels are in the bottom end of the normal range. FWIW, my "normal" routine is to use 4 cups of 27% hydrogen peroxide once a week, with a weekly shock. I run the ozone system 12 hours a day for most of the year, cutting it down to 8 hours during the coldest part of the year (about 2-3 months/year here). I know that the hydrogen peroxide and added chlorine will fight each other (been too many years for me to remember the chemical equations for how it will break down ). Maybe the measurable chlorine is just coincidental? I know the alkalinity, hardness and pH have stayed in normal ranges.


David F.

 

[DRF2]

And I used that contact form to reach out to them. Thank you again

David F.

 

[JamesW]

If you are not adding chlorine, then you don't have any chlorine.

The hydrogen peroxide is probably registering on the test.

 

[Donldson]

You cannot have chlorine and hydrogen peroxide in the same pool. They don't "fight", they eradicate each other. You either have zero peroxide and a chlorine level, or a peroxide level and zero chlorine. Nothing in-between.