Intex pool with green water

[mickeynj108]

Hello,

We have been dealing with green water that is murky as the water gets deeper (seen on white walk in pool ladder) for about four weeks, upon returning from a week long vacation. Three weeks ago we shocked it with four bags of shock and it turned to blue again, but was still slightly cloudy.

We are now back to full on green water. According to Leslie Pool we had these values: FC 5, TAC 5, CH 200, CYA 90, TA 90, pH 7.4, Copper 0, Iron ).

We have been using a robotic automatic pool vaccum that is electric (not running off pool suction) that has been picking up minimal leaves. The pool pump has been running continuously for 36 hours.

Added chlorine free shock yesterday and today and are still left green water. The amount added over the two days combined was enough for 16,000 gallons. Did not have this problem at all last year.

Any suggestions you could be provide would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Michele

 

[pooldv]

Welcome to TFP!

This is how we kill algae, SLAM Process

You will need a good test kit, I use the TF-100 from TFTestkits.net. it is the best value, here's why, Pool School - Test Kits Compared

Do some reading in Pool School to learn a bit more about caring for your pool.
Start here, ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
And here, Pool School - Getting Started

 

[domct203]

Welcome!

Stop using pucks or throwing in bags of shock. Both those forms also contain CYA or CH. You should be using liquid chlorine, aka bleach as it adds only chlorine and a trace amount of salt.

How to chlorinate your pool

If the Leslie's CYA test is right (unlikely) you will need to raise your FC to 35ppm and hold it there for the duration of the SLAM.

Chlorine / CYA Chart

Do you have a cartridge filter or sand filter?

Are you willing to invest in your own proper test kit? It will be pretty hard to follow TFP advice and procedures without one.

Dom

 

[jeffchap]

These guys know what they're talking about. Follow their guidance and your pool will be sparking clean again, and at much less cost.





The bottom line is that the shock products you have been using have raised your CYA level to the point that the free chlorine amount in your pool is no longer enough to effectively combat algae growth.





Assuming your CYA is really 90, and that's a big assumption with pool store testing, the bare minimum level if FC you need to maintain to prevent algae is 7-8 ppm. And as Dom points out, now that you have algae, you'll need to maintain a level of 35 ppm for some period of time to kill it off again. One time "shock" will not suffice. You must maintain that level, the "M" in SLAM - Shock Level And Maintain.