Hello all. I am a complete pool newbie who has been thrown into the deep end of a 33,000 gallon gunite pool. The pool is currently green and up until an hour ago I was completely clueless blindly following the advice of the local pool store. I am very happy to find this information source and body of knowledge.
A quick history on how I ended up here. I purchased a short sale last July. I had no idea how long the pool had been closed. Upon pulling the cover, the only obvious course of action was a complete drain. I even found a car tire in the thing! After a line pressure test, a serious pressure washing and 33,000 gallons of water, I was feeling good until I noticed the water steadily drained. I had to keep topping it off every evening to keep the skimmer full. The pump also failed at the end of the season when the leaves were falling. I closed it with professional help as soon as possible and got most of the leaves out, but a small number remained upon closing.
I removed the cover 3 weeks ago and found the water level at the light cavity so I plugged it with butyl. I replaced the pump motor, seals and impeller. I then filled with well water (pool trucks are so expensive) and it has held! The bad news is the water is still green after 3 weeks of adding chlorine and non-stop filtering. I have also used the net on a pole to remove leaves from the deep end of the pool. I can see the bottom of the shallow end. I have also vacuumed and brushed the pool numerous times. I have power washed the filter cartridges countless times. I had the water tested numerous times at the pool supply store and each time they suggest I keep shocking it.
I am learning that the simple test strips showing high this, low that aren't sufficient to combat my algae problem and I'm tired of being an open wallet to the pool supply store. I am determined to get a handle on this pool.
I have ordered a Taylor Complete FAS-DPD Pool Water Test Kit K-2006 and new filter cartridges. I know this will be a loaded question without necessarily knowing the chemical makeup of my water, but is there anything more I should do while waiting for the kit and filters? The pool is currently green, but I can see the bottom in the shallow end (about 4 feet deep).
Many thanks in advance for any advice
Pool specs
33,000 gallon gunite shaped pool
sta rite cartridge filter
Hayward 1.5HP
Hayward chlorinator
A quick history on how I ended up here. I purchased a short sale last July. I had no idea how long the pool had been closed. Upon pulling the cover, the only obvious course of action was a complete drain. I even found a car tire in the thing! After a line pressure test, a serious pressure washing and 33,000 gallons of water, I was feeling good until I noticed the water steadily drained. I had to keep topping it off every evening to keep the skimmer full. The pump also failed at the end of the season when the leaves were falling. I closed it with professional help as soon as possible and got most of the leaves out, but a small number remained upon closing.
I removed the cover 3 weeks ago and found the water level at the light cavity so I plugged it with butyl. I replaced the pump motor, seals and impeller. I then filled with well water (pool trucks are so expensive) and it has held! The bad news is the water is still green after 3 weeks of adding chlorine and non-stop filtering. I have also used the net on a pole to remove leaves from the deep end of the pool. I can see the bottom of the shallow end. I have also vacuumed and brushed the pool numerous times. I have power washed the filter cartridges countless times. I had the water tested numerous times at the pool supply store and each time they suggest I keep shocking it.
I am learning that the simple test strips showing high this, low that aren't sufficient to combat my algae problem and I'm tired of being an open wallet to the pool supply store. I am determined to get a handle on this pool.
I have ordered a Taylor Complete FAS-DPD Pool Water Test Kit K-2006 and new filter cartridges. I know this will be a loaded question without necessarily knowing the chemical makeup of my water, but is there anything more I should do while waiting for the kit and filters? The pool is currently green, but I can see the bottom in the shallow end (about 4 feet deep).
Many thanks in advance for any advice
Pool specs
33,000 gallon gunite shaped pool
sta rite cartridge filter
Hayward 1.5HP
Hayward chlorinator
