Greetings, all,
I came across this site after doing some research into my pool problems. It's a great resource! I'm following one of the guides, but was wondering how long it should take to clear up a severe algae bloom when keeping the pool in a constant shock condition. Below are some additional details:
I took over an above ground swimming pool that is 24' round, so I estimate about 13,500 gallons of water. It was not covered during the winter and we're now 1.5 months into summer. So the water was a dark green and you cannot see below the surface very well. I've been following the Turning Your Green Swamp Back into a Sparkling Oasis article, but was wondering how long it should take to clear up.
I was using test strips, but after reading some other articles on this website, I recently ordered Taylor K-2006 Test Kit, but it won't arrive for a few days. I realize the inaccuracy of these, but my current numbers are as such:
FC: At least 10 ppm (current test kit/strip's max).
pH: 7.2
TA: 60
CH: 240
CYA: 40
To shock the pool, I'm using Leslie's Power Powder Pro (73% Calcium Hypochlorite). I know regular bleach is the same thing, but at 50 lbs, it was only about $2 a lb, which was about what I was spending on bleach (which is also significantly more difficult to handle (1.42 gallon jugs vs. 1 50 lb bucket). Every day, I've been adding 1 lb (2 cups) of the PPP and I check the FC around twice a day to ensure it hasn't dropped. My FC test only goes up to 10 ppm, so I can't be sure if it's much higher than that and on a day to day basis, it doesn't really drop. That somewhat concerns me since I would expect the FC to drop as it kills of the algae, and while I feel I should let the FC drop some before adding more, I'm also afraid to let it bounce back and forth (as per some of the articles I've read). I'd estimate that I've kept the pool fully shocked for the last 6 days or so. The water does seem less dark than before, but you still can't see the bottom. I try to brush the bottom and sides, but because the water is so dark, it doesn't seem like it's helping much (I basically push the brush along the floor, but I can't really see anything happen). However, after the initial treatments (and even to today), I do see the white/grey dead algae floating on the surface, so that is progress. I also wonder if my pool pump is operating optimally. It's around 10 PSI.
Can anyone provide some guidance? How long should this process take before I can at least start to see the bottom of the pool? Should I continue to add 1 lb of the PPP daily even when the FC is high? Shouldn't the FC level be dropping from day to day in a severe case like this? Thanks.
I came across this site after doing some research into my pool problems. It's a great resource! I'm following one of the guides, but was wondering how long it should take to clear up a severe algae bloom when keeping the pool in a constant shock condition. Below are some additional details:
I took over an above ground swimming pool that is 24' round, so I estimate about 13,500 gallons of water. It was not covered during the winter and we're now 1.5 months into summer. So the water was a dark green and you cannot see below the surface very well. I've been following the Turning Your Green Swamp Back into a Sparkling Oasis article, but was wondering how long it should take to clear up.
I was using test strips, but after reading some other articles on this website, I recently ordered Taylor K-2006 Test Kit, but it won't arrive for a few days. I realize the inaccuracy of these, but my current numbers are as such:
FC: At least 10 ppm (current test kit/strip's max).
pH: 7.2
TA: 60
CH: 240
CYA: 40
To shock the pool, I'm using Leslie's Power Powder Pro (73% Calcium Hypochlorite). I know regular bleach is the same thing, but at 50 lbs, it was only about $2 a lb, which was about what I was spending on bleach (which is also significantly more difficult to handle (1.42 gallon jugs vs. 1 50 lb bucket). Every day, I've been adding 1 lb (2 cups) of the PPP and I check the FC around twice a day to ensure it hasn't dropped. My FC test only goes up to 10 ppm, so I can't be sure if it's much higher than that and on a day to day basis, it doesn't really drop. That somewhat concerns me since I would expect the FC to drop as it kills of the algae, and while I feel I should let the FC drop some before adding more, I'm also afraid to let it bounce back and forth (as per some of the articles I've read). I'd estimate that I've kept the pool fully shocked for the last 6 days or so. The water does seem less dark than before, but you still can't see the bottom. I try to brush the bottom and sides, but because the water is so dark, it doesn't seem like it's helping much (I basically push the brush along the floor, but I can't really see anything happen). However, after the initial treatments (and even to today), I do see the white/grey dead algae floating on the surface, so that is progress. I also wonder if my pool pump is operating optimally. It's around 10 PSI.
Can anyone provide some guidance? How long should this process take before I can at least start to see the bottom of the pool? Should I continue to add 1 lb of the PPP daily even when the FC is high? Shouldn't the FC level be dropping from day to day in a severe case like this? Thanks.