Desperate for help!

Is bleach and chlorine completely unregulated, when it comes to the consumer figuring out what they're buying? You find some with well documented ingredient lists, others are vague, what is inside only described in unclear marketing terms. Some have manufactured dates, some don't. Those that do, the date is often cryptic, but not decipherable in a consistent way from brand to brand! I buy chlorine from Leslie's or the pool section at Lowe's. I might be paying a bit more, but I figure those two sources are supplying chlorine specifically for a pool, without additives. Though even that isn't a great solution. Lowes' chlorine has a date I can figure out, Leslie's packaging offers no such date. (Another +1 for SWG!)

How does Ashleyh deal with the soap, if that's what it is? Just let it get skimmed out and then clean the filter afterwards? Or is there some way to get if off the surface before it gets sucked up?

I can post pics of the LC brands I've been using if you need me to.

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This would be great. The picture your posted looked exactly like my neighbors pool when he purchased the splash less bleach at the supermarket. This is why I asked.

And I didn't add algacide until today so I know that's not it...

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Algaecide is really not needed in a well maintained pool, and is sometimes used for pool closings. Only once did I recommend this product to a friend and the reason was that the pool was old, had one return in the shallow end, one skimmer and one main drain in the deep end. The pool was quite large with limited circulation. The algaecide cut his brushing time down from daily to about twice a week with the algaecide. Under normal circumstances, not need. This case was an extreme because there were so many dead spots. Also forgot to mention the drop in steps (what a mess).

Is bleach and chlorine completely unregulated, when it comes to the consumer figuring out what they're buying? You find some with well documented ingredient lists, others are vague, what is inside only described in unclear marketing terms. Some have manufactured dates, some don't. Those that do, the date is often cryptic, but not decipherable in a consistent way from brand to brand! I buy chlorine from Leslie's or the pool section at Lowe's. I might be paying a bit more, but I figure those two sources are supplying chlorine specifically for a pool, without additives. Though even that isn't a great solution. Lowes' chlorine has a date I can figure out, Leslie's packaging offers no such date. (Another +1 for SWG!)

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Dirk:

Wal Mart and Target have unscented regular bleach, always with a Julian date on the bottom of each bottle. Bleach is usually within 45-60 days old, and a lot less expensive than Leslie's or Lowes. Luckily we have Ocean State Job Lot near us @ $3 a gallon for 12.5%. I purchased a few cases yearly so I do not have to tinker with the SWG when extra bodies arrive.

Ashley:

It appears that there are no other additives, so the foaming must be from something else. Any other types of soaps used by or near the pool? For example, I used green Joy soap on the concrete when I need to rinse it down thoroughly and some does get in the pool, but very little and it looks like your picture. Any items in the pool that could be causing this? Children playing with soap and bubbles?

Crazy idea?

Is that a vacuum hose I see back there? Unhook the hose and lay it around the perimeter of the pool, right along the wall. With another person, slooooooowly drag the hose across the surface of the water, corralling the slick into as small an area as possible. As the shape gets smaller, you can just let the hose curl around in on itself. Then sop up the oil/soap/whatever, or vacuum it up with a wet/dry shop vac. Repeat as needed.

May or may not work, but that's how they clean up oil spills. No harm in trying...

Ashleyh7489 said:

Well good news, it's been raining like cats and dogs the past couple days and all the soap or whatever it was is now gone! Hopefully it doesn't come back *fingers crossed*

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The key is not to add anything that the pool does not require. No magic potions. The filter picked everything up and the chlorine slowly broke down the contents of the soapy substance.

Yay!