2nd year with pool not going so well

[diamondlil213]

Hi everyone. So glad I have found this site. I have become increasingly frustrated with my pool this year. My 24' above ground pool (15,000 gallons) was installed June 2021 and the first summer it was so easy to maintain. I would shock it (with granules 1 lb) once a week and add a 3" chlorine puck 1-2 times weekly. The pool stayed beautiful and clear all summer long.

Fast forward to this year. Everything went OK after it was opened (minus cleaning all the debris that fell in when removing cover). After about 1 month of treating it like I did last summer it started to turn green. The past 6 weeks have been an uphill losing battle with the algae. I fell victim/hostage to the pool store and did a lot of costly and unnecessary things (yes, I bought phosphate remover). We have a few days of clearish water every now and then, but for the most part it has been cloudy and green. Even on the days when it was clearish I could still she a film of green dust on the stairs and bottom of pool.

I have been reading about the basics of TFP and am excited to get started. I just watched the SLAM method and bought my TFT test kit. My very basic question is about liquid chlorine. I have always used the granules because I was unsure of what to buy. Can it be regular bleach or does it need to be pool specific. I also noticed people mentioned different strengths. I was wanting to go on and purchase some so I will have it to use when my test kit arrives. Any recommendations? Also, any tips on what to do with my green pool over the next few days while waiting for supplies? I brush it everyday and continue to run the pump 24/7.

So appreciative of any advice. Lil

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Hiya Diamond.... we used to often suggest the use of bleach for the chlorine, but lately Clorox has ruined that by putting all these unwanted things in and even the other brands have followed suit. SO unless you can find PLAIN unscented, unthickened non Cloromax type "technology" just go for Liquid Chlorine. Liquid Chlorine is the exact same as bleach but NO additives, and it is usually stronger so you use less.

Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart pool section and pool stores all sell it. Sometimes pool stores call it "Liquid Shock" but it is all the same. Usually 10-12% strength.

You want to use Pool Math to help you determine how much to use. The App is convenient --> PoolMath

Maddie

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Until your kit arrives I would add a half gallon of Liquid Chlorine in daily and brush. It will stun any algae reproduction and slow things down.
You probably have super high CYA stabilizer, so if you want to drain half your pool and refill now it wll speed things up for the SLAM process.

Maddie

 

[PoolStored]

Also, any tips on what to do with my green pool over the next few days while waiting for supplies? I brush it everyday and continue to run the pump 24/7.

Add 1/2 of a gallon of Liquid Chlorine PER DAY until your test kit arrives. Don't add anything else!

 

[Katygreys]

What they said. Although we would hate to recommend draining half your pool for no reason, the odds are indeed high that your CYA is very elevated. And draining and replacing water is the only way to reduce elevated CYA. Once you get your test and measure your CYA we will be able to tell you if you need to drain a portion of your pool, so you may need to do it anyway. Personally, I would bet a refill bottle of CYA reagent that you’ll need to end up doing it anyway

 

[Toxophilite]

Same exact story for me with my 24' above ground, though those were the days before internet forums. I just blamed my well water and figured a water change every year, some seasons 2x, was part of the process. All the Wal-Marts and many Home Depots here keep shelves of 10% liquid chlorine in their pool section as mentioned. The bottle will more than likely look like this:

 

[diamondlil213]

Thank you so much everyone! This is very helpful. I will go today and purchase some of the liquid chlorine. I did have my levels tested yesterday at the pool store and the CYA was 48, although from what I am reading their tests are often inaccurate. You guys have already been more helpful than my 10 + visits to the pool store this year. Thanks! Lil

 

[diamondlil213]

Do you add the chlorine around the rim of the pool?

 

[YippeeSkippy]

When you pump is running pour the chlorine in a thin stream at the return so that the water entering the pool will carry it out, but brushing it always helps too.

Now you have me concerned that if on the ODD chance the pool store was right and your CYA isnt as high as most folks who use pucks and granular products you won't have to drain any...... hmmm... dilemma dilemma! Perhaps it will be high in calcium and less so in CYA? Lets wait and see how you test it before you do any draining, ok??

Maddie

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Are you on well water or city water??

 

[diamondlil213]

Are you on well water or city water??

We are on city water. Yesterday (according to pool store) calcium hardness was at 195.

Here’s a picture of our pool currently. Has looked much worse, but pretty sure it’s not supposed to be teal…..

 

[YippeeSkippy]

No, I don't think that pool should be teal.. Some tan liners do make the pool water appear more teal, but that isn't the way yours looks.
I'm sure your test kit will arrive week... maybe by Wednesday if lucky. My fingers are crossed for you.

Maddie