Stubborn Algae

[1buccaneer]

I've been a pool owner for many years, but this year I seem to have green algae that I can't get rid of for more than a week or so. I've used small reagent kits and aquachek test strips. After reading on your site, I bought a Taylor K2006 test kit. I feel I need to SLAM it but probably need to do a 50% replacement of water since my CYA is so high (my test strips say it is about 50 but the Taylor kit shows about 140). Am I on the right track?

Yesterday:
Water clarity - clear but not sparkling (dull)
Water temp - 82
FC - 4.5
CC - .5
PH - 7.0
TA - 60
CH - 100
CYA - 140
Phosphates - 500

I added some PH+, Phosphate remover,
& Algaecide 60, vacuumed & brushed
pool (small amount of green algae)

Today:
Water clarity & temp - same
FC - 1.0
CC - .4
PH - 7.2
TA, CH, & CYA - same
Phosphates - 200

Vacuumed pool (small amount of green algae)

 

[one_knight4u]

This is going to be a judgement call on your part. Its getting later in the season and if you do a water refill, will you have enough time for the water to heat back up before fall and you close the pool for the year or can you limp through untill closing with elevated chlorine levels.
If you choose to do a water refill, yes you are on the right track.

 

[kcindc]

Phosphate remover is not necessary. If you properly keep enough chlorine in your pool, it will kill the algae so it doesn't matter how much algae food (phosphates) are in the pool. Phosphate remover is an unnecessary expensive item.

If you want to save more money:
1. Don't purchase "PH+", you can buy borax (20 mule team) or washing soda to raise your PH.
2. Algaecide will not kill algae once you have algae in the pool, generally this is only necessary when you close your pool to keep algae from occurring.

Stop using the test strips, throw them out as their use is confusing and not reliable and trust the K-2006 results.

You will probably run out of reagents quickly because you need to SLAM, so when you do, it is best to order the TF-100 from http://tftestkits.net/splash-page.html

Comparison of test kits:
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/124-pool-test-kits-comparison



Read these articles in pool school:
Defeating algae
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/126-defeating-algae

How to SLAM your pool:
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/125-slam-shock-level-and-maintain-shocking

Chlorine/CYA levels:
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/128-chlorine-cya-chart-slam-shock

Use pool math to calculate how to adjust levels:
http://www.troublefreepool.com/calc.html

Since you have a DE filter, you are probably backwashing quickly, so best to get a handle on this so that you don't waste too much money on DE powder.

 

[1buccaneer]

Thanks for your reply one_knight4u..... You make a good point, so I think I will super-chlorinate as is for now.

 

[one_knight4u]

I made the mistake last year of deciding to move my pool in mid Sept.
Temps went from 80 F to low 70s F in that week.
I never did get to swim after i moved it due to cold water. Just couldnt get the temps back up.
If i would have left it, i would have gotten another couple of weeks of swim time i believe.

 

[1buccaneer]

Thanks for all the good info kcindc..........I'll start reading......