water wont clear up

[mac1911]

having a problem with my pool this past few weeks.
I have been running intex pools for aprox 8 years now Going up in size over the years and last year I got the newest at 16' x 48" with 1500gph filter/pump.

I have not much of any problems until now.
2 weeks ago the pool started with that little cloud showing up behind the brush. Wife and I have been checking FC and PH every day and the Ortex Tabs have been keeping the FC on the money all summer. Which is why im stumped by the Algae bloom. So I shocked the pool and cleaned the filter 2 times a day. All seemed well. Then It went cloudy milky white. Been fighting the cloudy white for 5 days now
applied the Pool Mate brand 4-1 Treatment for cloudy water--waited the 72 hours and not much change until today. Still cloudy but it appears my algae bloom is back. Seeing the build up on the pool floor and filter again.

My chemicals seem to be ok...
FC 5
TC 5
alkalinity 120
ph 7.2
TH 100
CYA 40

what am I missing
I added a secound 1000gph filter from the old intex pool to try and help. ?

 

[frogabog]

Hello and Welcome to TFP!

The second filter will help with filtering, and yes... it's needed. All these seasonal Intex type pools are woefully underpowered. But please know that a second pump/filter alone will not clear up an algae bloom.

I recommend that you read Pool School, and specifically ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and FC/CYA Levels. Also, most importantly we do not "shock" the pool here. We perform the SLAM Process. Shocking is not a one time application, it's a process and it takes time, regular testing and re-dosing with chlorine with a good test kit (at least 3x per day, if not more frequently), maintaining SLAM level FC, and patience.

If you wish to clear up your pool, you will need a good test kit. We recommend the TF-100 from TFTestkits.net. See Test Kits Compared. The test strips are junk. They are notoriously incorrect. To the point that the results they give are utterly useless.

There are plenty of Intex pool owners here and the $ you'll save by following TFP guidelines will pay for the kit with a quickness. Most of us were in your exact position at one time, so don't worry. Ask questions and the good folk here will gladly help.

Now for your particular situation... First you will want to stop using the tablets/pucks. While we can't rely on the test strip results you gave, chances are that you have plenty of CYA since you've been using them for so long already. Maybe even too much. You can chlorinate daily with bleach (6%) or liquid chlorine for pools (10%) instead. That does not add CYA.

You can use PoolMath to determine how much of anything to add or remove. The app is phenomenal, but there is also a browser version if you wish to use the extras there such as determining pool volume or dry volumes. The Browser version was the original and works the same as the app. PoolMath

LAstly, those other products you're using to clear up the algae won't help, and can hurt. The only way to clear up algae is to perform the SLAM Process.

 

[Msch99]

Once you go TFP, you won't go back!

 

[mac1911]

Hello and Welcome to TFP!

The second filter will help with filtering, and yes... it's needed. All these seasonal Intex type pools are woefully underpowered. But please know that a second pump/filter alone will not clear up an algae bloom.

I recommend that you read Pool School, and specifically ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and FC/CYA Levels. Also, most importantly we do not "shock" the pool here. We perform the SLAM Process. Shocking is not a one time application, it's a process and it takes time, regular testing and re-dosing with chlorine with a good test kit (at least 3x per day, if not more frequently), maintaining SLAM level FC, and patience.

If you wish to clear up your pool, you will need a good test kit. We recommend the TF-100 from TFTestkits.net. See Test Kits Compared. The test strips are junk. They are notoriously incorrect. To the point that the results they give are utterly useless.

There are plenty of Intex pool owners here and the $ you'll save by following TFP guidelines will pay for the kit with a quickness. Most of us were in your exact position at one time, so don't worry. Ask questions and the good folk here will gladly help.

Now for your particular situation... First you will want to stop using the tablets/pucks. While we can't rely on the test strip results you gave, chances are that you have plenty of CYA since you've been using them for so long already. Maybe even too much. You can chlorinate daily with bleach (6%) or liquid chlorine for pools (10%) instead. That does not add CYA.

You can use PoolMath to determine how much of anything to add or remove. The app is phenomenal, but there is also a browser version if you wish to use the extras there such as determining pool volume or dry volumes. The Browser version was the original and works the same as the app. PoolMath

LAstly, those other products you're using to clear up the algae won't help, and can hurt. The only way to clear up algae is to perform the SLAM Process.

thanks
have this kit coming
TAYLOR TECHNOLOGIES INC K-2006 TEST KIT COMP CHLORINE FAS-DPD
I guess I need to learn the terms better. I followed the SLAM at the first onset of algae.
Right now the FC has held over night for a few days. Im just letting the pumps run until my new test kit comes friday.

I just dont want to go away for a few days and come back to a greener pool.

 

[frogabog]

When are you going away? If you just let the pumps run for a few days without adding chlorine it'll probably be green. You can't really SLAM without a good test kit. You didn't order the K-2000c? You may be in need of reagents soon, if you didn't.

I feel like your version of SLAM and ours are very different still. SLAM is not completed till you've passed the 3 criteria. You have cloudy algae water still, so be prepared to begin anew when your test comes.

Use pool math to add 5ppm FC each day till you get your kit, keep the pumps running. You may have to clean them when flow becomes reduced.

 

[mac1911]

Well all was for naught. Sprouted a leak last night and did not see until 5 am . Pool was 2/3s empty and pump was on the way to burn out.
Done for the season.
Tried to patch the HOLE but it kept sucking the patch through.
A previous patch gave way and then the liner tore along the washed out sand hole below the liner.
Figures.
Now to decide to pick up another inexpensive quick set pool or repair this one. Will be looking for sales . Seen a coleman 18’ for $250 but th 16’ was tough enough for me to set up as it is.
Not sure if permanent UG pool is a good choice for us?
So far we have less than $1000 worth of pools in 7 years. Water and chems the only added cost until now.

 

[frogabog]

Well that STINKS! I'm sorry to hear that's happened to your pool.

FWIW, 18' is only 2' wider... and you would get to start over the TFP way

 

[mac1911]

Well that STINKS! I'm sorry to hear that's happened to your pool.

FWIW, 18' is only 2' wider... and you would get to start over the TFP way

Yeah thats what I said going from 14 to 16 and It felt like 4x more pool to handle. Heavy too. Also would require clearing another 1’ all around more sand ....aarrgg
So we sit thinking score a left over pool on clearance or bite the bullet and get a nice 21’ above ground professionally installed
Now the fun part, trusting who to install and what pool manufacture is good in the $4-6k range

 

[frogabog]

$250 isn't a bad price on the 16' though. Is it local or will it have to be shipped? Personally I'm an Intex fan, although that might be because I prefer the liner pattern. I also have decided that I prefer a rectangle pool. I can do some baby laps in it and it actually takes up less perceived space than a round 15' or 16' would in this yard. I'd like one longer than 18' but don't have the room.

Does it come with the same cartridge filter or with a sand filter and upgraded pump? Do people want to swim for the rest of the month that badly? $250 is a proverbial drop in the bucket even if you do decide to upgrade to the 21' next year. You can always sell it next spring and probably get at least half your money back.

Do let us know what you decide! And again, super sorry to hear this happened.

 

[mac1911]

I was given a a Intex sand filter set up. SF80110 but its only 100gph more than the Side hanging cartridge unit on the summer waves pool
Quick run down kids 12 and 10. Started with the small inflatable ring pools. Then about 6 years ago got a 12' pool that went 4 years with out issue then the kids started " bigger pool" that year found the mice decided to colonize the liner stored in the shed Got the 14'x42" in 2017 the seam failed in 2018 early in the season and walmart Warrantied the pool in store but only had the 16' pool. it was great all last year.
Any how if the water level did not drop and the pump run dry I would patch and keep going. The pump still pumps but makes bearing noise. It smelt burnt last night. So I like the side hanger and honestly not having much luck finding the easiest way to hook up the sand pump. I dont want that over the side skimmer....
Sooooo, I was looking around and the replacement pumps run about $70 then seen this

this is the pump that was given to me, theres no place local with a decent assortment of hoses/fittings and odds and ends to get this thing hooked up.

was running one of the old pool pumps to help clear up the cloudy water...

so for $150 we get a few more seasons I hope to think about bigger and better.....honestly though Im not interested in spending $4k plus I dont have the room for much bigger than 20' and all that comes with a permanent fixture in the yard.

The Coleman 18'x48 was on clearance also for $250.... its just to big for me to deal with. Had a hard enough time with the 16' and still could not get the wrinkles out of the floor. the 12 and 14 foot I was able to get smooth out?

heres the kids back in 2015 making room for the 14' pool

then the final inspection by my son with HIS bubble level, its hard to see but hes blowing bubbles into the cleared area

 

[frogabog]

Buy the pool, buy some sand, put it up for the kids. 150 is a great deal.

Spend 150, if you can get 75 bux for it next year when you build the big pool, yay. If not, there's always next spring.

Let the children swim the next 6w. The children are clearly inclined to assisting.

My mom .02