You have an above ground vinyl lined pool so a full drain isn’t recommended as the liner can shift causing more damage. If the pool is buried at all it shouldn’t be drained lower than the surrounding ground level.
www.troublefreepool.com
That said, replacing alot of the swampy water can help remove the bulk of the junk in the pool making the
SLAM Process go more quickly. Along with scooping everything out- that’s a must. It is understandable that you may need physical help to remove the debris from the pool but be aware that
There is no magic product that is going to perform a miracle here - back to blue, green to blue, or any other “miracle cure” are all just some form of chlorine (cal hypo/ trichlor/dichlor) + algaecides & or phosphate removers.
Btw, algaecides & phosphate removers won’t really do much for an active algae problem, they’re preventatives at best.
Cal hypo adds calcium & can cause cloudiness when used in large amounts (talk about complicating matters),
Trichlor & dichlor add cya & are also acidic & can tank ph quickly.
Liquid chlorine only raises fc & doesn’t really affect any other parameters which is why it is recommended for the SLAM process.
Most products like he is suggesting include instructions to basically nuke your pool with the product with no regard to cya level & when it turns blue /clearish you’re done because it looks better. It’s referred to here as dump & pray.
That is a recipe for liner & equipment damage as well as a perpetual battle with algae because it’s not really gone, just taken down a peg or two only to rear it’s head again & again. Those types of products can also wreck your sand & cause foamy water among other complications.
The
SLAM Process
on the other hand,
is a simple, methodically thought out & proven plan in which you raise fc with liquid chlorine high enough to kill algae but still within safe limits for your surfaces, equipment, & swimmers. You then test & MAINTAIN slam fc level until you pass ALL the end of slam criteria which proves you have truly eradicated the algae- not just guessing you’re good by how the water looks.
It’s not as easy as dumping something in once & hoping for the best but once it is completed & proper fc is maintained thereafter it shouldn’t need to be done again. It does require that you be willing to test & dose frequently along with vacuuming/brushing daily which you may be able to get a teen or something to assist with if needed.
It is your pool so only you can decide the path you wish to follow.
TFP or the pool guy.