So, after lots of searching I finally found liquid chlorine and started to SLAM last Wednesday. The pool almost immediately turned a cloudy blue. Now, 9 days later, it's still the same cloudy blue with bits of algae floating. We brush daily (sometimes several times), I backwash the filter every few hours, and I just bought a new pump (that's actually why we opened so late, we had to get a pump). Constantly cleaning algae out of the skimmer as it fills up and clogs. Now here are the things I'm worried might be causing a problem but I'm too uneducated to know for sure:
First of all, is it possible the new pump isn't working as well as the old one? I know it's a Waterway, 1.5 hp...I can get more info off of it if necessary. Old one is still in my signature.
Second, I ran out of the chlorine testing powder in my TF-100 kit so I've been using the daily test (which only tests up to 5 ) and guessing at what the FC level is. I think my guesses are fairly accurate and I'm aiming on the high side for how much chlorine to add. I do have a refill on the way!
Third, I don't know if my filter is working properly? It's a sand filter and the sand was changed three years ago. I was thinking it didn't need to be changed yet but someone suggested that might be the problem.
And FINALLY, we didn't close the pool at all over the winter. Considered getting rid of it and had a new baby and all kinds of excuses... ? So it just never got done and it was a big green swamp when I started. That may be the whole problem in itself and I just have to keep doing what I'm doing? I just want to make sure I'm not wasting chlorine by doing something wrong! I'm now 18 gallons into it and no change. The ladder is also still in there so I think that may be a problem eventually, but surely it wouldn't cause the whole pool to stay cloudy and greenish?
Sorry I have so many questions. I've looked around on here to try to get some tips without having to ask a bunch of dumb questions ? but it's not getting any better! I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks!!!
First of all, is it possible the new pump isn't working as well as the old one? I know it's a Waterway, 1.5 hp...I can get more info off of it if necessary. Old one is still in my signature.
Second, I ran out of the chlorine testing powder in my TF-100 kit so I've been using the daily test (which only tests up to 5 ) and guessing at what the FC level is. I think my guesses are fairly accurate and I'm aiming on the high side for how much chlorine to add. I do have a refill on the way!
Third, I don't know if my filter is working properly? It's a sand filter and the sand was changed three years ago. I was thinking it didn't need to be changed yet but someone suggested that might be the problem.
And FINALLY, we didn't close the pool at all over the winter. Considered getting rid of it and had a new baby and all kinds of excuses... ? So it just never got done and it was a big green swamp when I started. That may be the whole problem in itself and I just have to keep doing what I'm doing? I just want to make sure I'm not wasting chlorine by doing something wrong! I'm now 18 gallons into it and no change. The ladder is also still in there so I think that may be a problem eventually, but surely it wouldn't cause the whole pool to stay cloudy and greenish?
Sorry I have so many questions. I've looked around on here to try to get some tips without having to ask a bunch of dumb questions ? but it's not getting any better! I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks!!!