Steps causing algae blooms?

[ob1quixote]

I picked up an AGP pool ladder from the curb, a rather nice one with handrails. It has hard plastic steps for the exterior, and a blow-molded step section in the water. Lately I have been getting a hint of algae which I react to with bleach...and then I began to think...

Could the blow molded section be an algae breeding ground? Next to no water circulation in there...

Think I'll drop some tablets inside it, what y'all think?

 

[duraleigh]

Certainly any hidey hole is suspect to develop algae. More important, though, is inadequate chlorine in the whole pool.

Are you keeping your overall FC within the guidelines suggested?

 

[ob1quixote]

The calculator suggests 3 - 7ppm, and I try to keep it at a steady 5ppm. Probably a lot closer to 7 right now eyeball judgement of the extra red in my 5ppm limited test kit.

I did some checking, and when I thought I had a 1Kgph pump, I had a 530gph pump. I changed to a 1Kgph pump from Lowes about an hour ago. I think low flow and a few days of non use are a factor as well.

I put some tabs in the ladder, and poured some bleach in as well. Not a major problem yet, and i dont intend to let it get that way!