Algae that keeps coming back

[Mallory]

Our salt water chlorinator was out of commission for about a week on top of lots of rain and south Florida heat. The chlorinator was replaced last Friday and has been running on 100% since.

Needless to say, things went downhill without the swg. The pool never went “green”, but has remained cloudy. I vacuum each day and in the morning, the bottom is covered with what I assume is dead algae.
I’ve cleaned the filter cartridge several times and it doesn’t seem to prevent the return of brown gunk on the bottom of the pool and cloudy water. Picture of water attached.

Pool store says chemicals are “perfect” as of yesterday, so I can’t figure out why the pool isn’t returning to the crystal clear blue.

 

[Katodude]

Hey Neighbor,

Welcome!!!

You have algae, and the pool store is lying to you. You should probably read this:

ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry

There are several items things every pool owner should know about swimming pool water. We share details on the basics of Pool Water Chemistry.

www.troublefreepool.com

But since you have algae you will need to SLAM:

SLAM - Shock Level and Maintain

We’ve all had to deal with a green pool. Clear algae from your pool with a SLAM! Read here to use shock level and maintain to clear your pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

In order to SLAM you will need a quality test kit.

Swimming Pool Test Kits Compared

What pool test kit should I buy? Why not use test strips? Our recommended test kits will pay for themselves in no time!

www.troublefreepool.com

However, I would recommend you just order a TF-100pro. Its a little pricey but it has everything you will need. It ships from NC so you will get it pretty quickly.

TF-Pro Salt

tftestkits.net

 

[an1vrsy]

It’s not that algae comes back, you haven’t gotten rid of the algae, yet. The how-to articles were posted above. Follow those article and you will have crystal clear water again. But to do that you need your own test kit. Either the TF-100 or Taylor K-2006C.

 

[shayy_1988]

Oh my gosh! Your pool looks like mine looked. I am also here in south Florida dealing with the massive rain ugh. Please review my thread “sea foam pool”. A lot of useful information on there (and I explain my exact issue). I’ve been dealing with it since last Thursday so, almost a week and I’ve been in an out of the pool store. However, since I haven’t been back to the pool store in a couple of days following their “advice”, I’ve seen the most improvement .

I plan to start SLAM Thursday — (that day is when my test kit arrives- the same one they recommended you buy). In the meantime (prior to knowing about this forum) I shocked my pool, added a jug of liquid chlorine and have been brushing and vacuuming twice a day. I also clean the filter twice a day.

Good luck!!!

 

[Mallory]

Oh my gosh! Your pool looks like mine looked. I am also here in south Florida dealing with the massive rain ugh. Please review my thread “sea foam pool”. A lot of useful information on there (and I explain my exact issue). I’ve been dealing with it since last Thursday so, almost a week and I’ve been in an out of the pool store. However, since I haven’t been back to the pool store in a couple of days following their “advice”, I’ve seen the most improvement .

I plan to start SLAM Thursday — (that day is when my test kit arrives- the same one they recommended you buy). In the meantime (prior to knowing about this forum) I shocked my pool, added a jug of liquid chlorine and have been brushing and vacuuming twice a day. I also clean the filter twice a day.

Good luck!!!

The rain is so frustrating!!! Every time it starts again, a part of me dies as I watch the pool become a little cloudier

ordered my test kit, hopefully can get this show on the road next week. We basically haven’t been able to use our pool since May between the rain and now algae

 

[Mallory]

Hey Neighbor,

Welcome!!!

You have algae, and the pool store is lying to you. You should probably read this:

ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry

There are several items things every pool owner should know about swimming pool water. We share details on the basics of Pool Water Chemistry.

www.troublefreepool.com

But since you have algae you will need to SLAM:

SLAM - Shock Level and Maintain

We’ve all had to deal with a green pool. Clear algae from your pool with a SLAM! Read here to use shock level and maintain to clear your pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

In order to SLAM you will need a quality test kit.

Swimming Pool Test Kits Compared

What pool test kit should I buy? Why not use test strips? Our recommended test kits will pay for themselves in no time!

www.troublefreepool.com

However, I would recommend you just order a TF-100pro. Its a little pricey but it has everything you will need. It ships from NC so you will get it pretty quickly.

TF-Pro Salt

tftestkits.net

Looking at the chlorine CYA chart, do I stick with the salt water tab or use the slam tab? And how will I know how much chlorine to add to reach the correct free chlorine levels?

 

[Katodude]

Because you have algae you will use the SLAM tab. When you get the test kit you will need to run a full set up tests and post them here. Then you will start the SLAM. You will need a bunch of liquid chlorine. I recommend you go to Leslies or pinch a penny and buy their 2.5 gallon jugs, get 2. You can refill them as necessary. That is the cheapest freshest chlorine you will find in south Florida.

The most important of the tests will be the CYA test (it will be a little frustrating but we will get you through it) and then the FC test. Once we know your CYA you can tell what your SLAM level will be.

The key will be dosing often. Especially at first, then once your FC stabilizes it will get easier.

Dont panic, we are here to support you and you will get through this. Follow the instructions from the experts here and you will have a crystal clear pool.

Post plenty of pictures we like to see progress.

Download the pool math app. It will help.

Go get the FC as soon as possible you want to start adding 5ppm per day until the test kit arrives so the situation does not get worse.

 

[Mallory]

Because you have algae you will use the SLAM tab. When you get the test kit you will need to run a full set up tests and post them here. Then you will start the SLAM. You will need a bunch of liquid chlorine. I recommend you go to Leslies or pinch a penny and buy their 2.5 gallon jugs, get 2. You can refill them as necessary. That is the cheapest freshest chlorine you will find in south Florida.

The most important of the tests will be the CYA test (it will be a little frustrating but we will get you through it) and then the FC test. Once we know your CYA you can tell what your SLAM level will be.

The key will be dosing often. Especially at first, then once your FC stabilizes it will get easier.

Dont panic, we are here to support you and you will get through this. Follow the instructions from the experts here and you will have a crystal clear pool.

Post plenty of pictures we like to see progress.

Download the pool math app. It will help.

Go get the FC as soon as possible you want to start adding 5ppm per day until the test kit arrives so the situation does not get worse.

Haven’t gotten my test kit yet, but have added chlorine each day and we almost have our pool back!! As my husband says, we can finally see the cracked crystal bright

I’ll do the testing and adjust accordingly, I still don’t think the water is *there* yet, but this is the best it has looked in over three weeks. Thank you everyone! I’ll report the test results when I get the kit

 

[Katodude]

Thats definitely better than your first picture, but nowhere near where it will be. Interesting that you did not get the test kit yet, it usually gets here in a few days.

Keep adding about 1/2 gallon of 10% every day until you get the kit then we SLAM!!!

 

[Lilypad]

This is what your end result should be once you complete the SLAM!

What TFP clear water really looks like:

How Clear is TFP Clear? Let's See (Pics Only Please).

How clear should my water be? A very common question. Here is mine on a calm morning where I could finally vacuum. Yes I know, I'm still manually vacuuming. It took me 7 years to finally get an SWG, I'm working on a robot. :) So now let's see your water clarity.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Mallory]

Thats definitely better than your first picture, but nowhere near where it will be. Interesting that you did not get the test kit yet, it usually gets here in a few days.

Keep adding about 1/2 gallon of 10% every day until you get the kit then we SLAM!!!

Hopefully today's the day the kit arrives!

Separately, do you know anything about intermatic timers? Our manual switch works to turn the pump on and off, but the actual time clock does not rotate. The gears in the little window aren't turning either. Is this a matter of replacing only the motor in the timer or is it possible the whole thing needs a replacement? Just wanna gauge if it's something I can do on my own because I'm about tired of paying the pool store to do crappy work lol

 

[mknauss]

Separately, do you know anything about intermatic timers?

Timers - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com