HUGE Algae problem - startup help

[andrew9]

hi all, hope all is well for you.

I think I learned the hard way that a pool needs chemicals even during winter when i had it covered.
It is a 10K pool fresh water, plaster walls, sand filter SP210T.
I uncovered it this weekend and to my surprise, all the walls and bottom were covered in an algae slim coat, easy to unpeel and brush, but hard to catch.
After shocking it hard, now the walls are clean of algae, but there is a ton of white discolored particles floating in the water. I hardly can see the bottom.

I had my filter running for 60hrs or so, with very little progress if at all. I backwashed the filter 3-4 times, with not much difference.
I think the number of particulates overwhelm the filter and channeling occurs quite immediately after backwashing.

What other suggestion you have to clear the water?
Perhaps calling a pool company for a vacuum to waste?
What chemicals are typically used to convince those particles to settle to the bottom for vacuuming? Or I better leave it to the pool Co. entirely?

TIA.

My next house will not have a pool

 

[Newdude]

Hey Andrew !!!

Are you still testing with a Taylor kit ? There are no silver bullets. It didn't go south in a day and it won't be solved in a day either.

SLAM Process

Read it, digest it, then read it twice more. Follow it to a T, and ask away if you have any questions.

 

[kul]

It didn't go south in a day and it won't be solved in a day either.

Jinx.

 

[Newdude]

Elsewhere on TFP at the same time

Remember, it didn’t happen in a day so it’s going to take some time to resolve. Keep at it!

 

[flyboy_fish]

While I am new member, I, unfortunately have some experience with heavy algal bloom. We went to a rental house and arrived to find the pool bubbling it was so green and productive! Following the SLAM process, I was able to clear the pool in swimmable condition in just 3-4 days. It took a lot of testing (yes, I carried my test kit with me on vacation), many jugs of chlorine, and lots of cartridge filter washes (at least 2 times a day). When the algae was dead, the pool looked almost like skim milk. Though it got a little better, I ultimately added suncoast ultimate water clarifier because the fine particles of dead algae just weren't getting picked up. This clarifier helped the particles stick together so they could be trapped in the filter. What a vacation!

 

[JJ_Tex]

While I am new member, I, unfortunately have some experience with heavy algal bloom. We went to a rental house and arrived to find the pool bubbling it was so green and productive! Following the SLAM process, I was able to clear the pool in swimmable condition in just 3-4 days. It took a lot of testing (yes, I carried my test kit with me on vacation), many jugs of chlorine, and lots of cartridge filter washes (at least 2 times a day). When the algae was dead, the pool looked almost like skim milk. Though it got a little better, I ultimately added suncoast ultimate water clarifier because the fine particles of dead algae just weren't getting picked up. This clarifier helped the particles stick together so they could be trapped in the filter. What a vacation!

While I dont love the use of clarifier since it will gum up the filter, are you saying you were on vacation and completed a SLAM of the pool at the house you were renting? If so that is a first I've seen on here so kudos to you. Did you know the owners or did they give you any sort of break on the price for all of your work?

 

[Newdude]

Following the SLAM process, I was able to clear the pool in swimmable condition in just 3-4 days.

Ok SWEET. You've already got one under your belt.

Have at it.

When the algae was dead, the pool looked almost like skim milk

That's dead or mostly dead algae that needs filtering. It takes time and patience and I don't see any need for a rush.

1) it's too cold to swim
2) the daily UV loss is still low so it won't be battling the sun + algae like it would in July
3) why not give the filter a week to do its thing for free ?

I'm personally not a fan of clarifiers. I'd add DE to help speed the process along. (Once the FC holds)

Add DE to a Sand Filter

A clean pool filter will increase the efficiency of your pool! ... your filter are to backwash it, clean the manifolds and grids, and add new DE.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[flyboy_fish]

While I dont love the use of clarifier since it will gum up the filter, are you saying you were on vacation and completed a SLAM of the pool at the house you were renting? If so that is a first I've seen on here so kudos to you. Did you know the owners or did they give you any sort of break on the price for all of your work?

I didn't love using the clarifier either but we were only there for a week. My partner literally wrote the book on Water Yoga so we needed the pool back fast. It might have eventually cleared after many more days of filtration without the clarifier.
Any yes, the owner paid for all the jugs of chlorine and gave me a very fair refund for my time and inability to use the pool. They have a pool service that let this happen! I also helped them find a new pool service.

 

[Newdude]

Yours may go alot better than the rental. Like I said it's the early season and cool water SLAMs always go easier. Then you also have NO clue how fouled up the rental filter was with pool service potions, so yours will likely perform better. Give it a whirl and if it's taking its time, add DE.

 

[Pyrate_Mermaid]

hi all, hope all is well for you.

I think I learned the hard way that a pool needs chemicals even during winter when i had it covered.
It is a 10K pool fresh water, plaster walls, sand filter SP210T.
I uncovered it this weekend and to my surprise, all the walls and bottom were covered in an algae slim coat, easy to unpeel and brush, but hard to catch.
After shocking it hard, now the walls are clean of algae, but there is a ton of white discolored particles floating in the water. I hardly can see the bottom.

I had my filter running for 60hrs or so, with very little progress if at all. I backwashed the filter 3-4 times, with not much difference.
I think the number of particulates overwhelm the filter and channeling occurs quite immediately after backwashing.

What other suggestion you have to clear the water?
Perhaps calling a pool company for a vacuum to waste?
What chemicals are typically used to convince those particles to settle to the bottom for vacuuming? Or I better leave it to the pool Co. entirely?

TIA.

My next house will not have a pool

Our pool got wildly out of control last winter--by the time spring came around, it literally looked like a swamp. We were throwing a lot of money away on chlorine (well, I'll say my husband was, because he wouldn't listen to me regarding proper chemical balance). And the county's mosquito abatement department showed up and said we needed to clean it up or would get fined daily because i was a breeding ground for mosquitos. We ultimately ended up draining our entire pool and cleaned it top to bottom. We did it ourselves, which was significantly cheaper than hiring a company--the most expensive part was refilling the pool. But we were able to get it done in less than 4 days.