I have been reading Pool School for the past few weeks and have learned so much. However, I can't seem to get ahead of my algae situation.
Our problems all started after Hurricane Ike. We were out of our house for almost a month and were so busy with clean up and repairs around the house that the pool took a back seat. By the time cold weather started we decided to just wait until the beginning of summer to tackle the pool. BIG mistake!!!
About a month ago we started scooping out debris and got out a lot. After many trips to the pool store and I don't even want to think about how much money in chemicals, we found this forum. About two weeks ago we started using liquid bleach. Following the instructions in pool school and using the pool calculator we starting adding bleach every hour for two days straight. Also brushing and scooping. Then we had to go back to work.
So, for the next 5 days, we added bleach morning and night. Then the weekend came and we repeated the process of adding bleach every hour. The next 5 days, only morning and night. As of yesterday, the chlorine level was still not holding overnight. So today we actually got in that swampy mess and brushed and scooped until I couldn't lift my arms.
We are still getting out a little green sludge but not near as much as before. I just don't feel like we are making any progress. Here are my numbers as of today. I put in 7 gallons of Chlorox at 8pm last night and took a sample at 7am this morning. I am using a DPD test kit from Leslie's.
TC 3
CC 3
pH 7
We had the water tested at the pool store 5 days ago and here are those results:
FC 5.8
pH over 8.2
Hardness 150
Alkalinity 20
CYA 10 (I know it is low, but didn't know if I should put more in now or wait until we are not backwashing so much)
I would appreciate and advice I could get. My husband is threatening to stock to pool with catfish if we don't get it clear soon!
Our problems all started after Hurricane Ike. We were out of our house for almost a month and were so busy with clean up and repairs around the house that the pool took a back seat. By the time cold weather started we decided to just wait until the beginning of summer to tackle the pool. BIG mistake!!!
About a month ago we started scooping out debris and got out a lot. After many trips to the pool store and I don't even want to think about how much money in chemicals, we found this forum. About two weeks ago we started using liquid bleach. Following the instructions in pool school and using the pool calculator we starting adding bleach every hour for two days straight. Also brushing and scooping. Then we had to go back to work.
So, for the next 5 days, we added bleach morning and night. Then the weekend came and we repeated the process of adding bleach every hour. The next 5 days, only morning and night. As of yesterday, the chlorine level was still not holding overnight. So today we actually got in that swampy mess and brushed and scooped until I couldn't lift my arms.
We are still getting out a little green sludge but not near as much as before. I just don't feel like we are making any progress. Here are my numbers as of today. I put in 7 gallons of Chlorox at 8pm last night and took a sample at 7am this morning. I am using a DPD test kit from Leslie's.
TC 3
CC 3
pH 7
We had the water tested at the pool store 5 days ago and here are those results:
FC 5.8
pH over 8.2
Hardness 150
Alkalinity 20
CYA 10 (I know it is low, but didn't know if I should put more in now or wait until we are not backwashing so much)
I would appreciate and advice I could get. My husband is threatening to stock to pool with catfish if we don't get it clear soon!