I've had my above ground pool for about four years. it is a Sharkline Reprieve 18 foot diameter 48 inch deep. The first year I had it I had no problems at all keeping the water clear even though I was a complete novice at pool care. Then a couple of years ago, it didn't get covered over the winter because I was having some health issues. It was dark slimy green and it took me forever to get the water to any semblance of clear. What finally did the trick was a product called " Yellow Rid" and shocking the pool per the directions on the yellow rid bottle. Still the water was not ever "sparkling clear" as it once had been. Everything tested well but there was still a very slight cloudiness to the water I could not get rid off.
Which brings me to this year. It was not covered again this winter. ( Yes I know, I should have known better.) Again I started with the really dark slimy green. I started shocking the pool and also added algecide and brushed the sides. I also worked with the net to get as many leaves out as possible. After awhile the pool began to look much better, it's no longer the dark slimy green and now is a very light green but the clearing process seems to have stopped right there no matter what I do. I have a catridge filter which I hose off daily, sometimes more than once, and it seems to be dirty everytime, even slightly green at times so I know stuff is being pulled out of the pool. Before I found this site, I tried the "Yellow Rid" again but it was to no avail. I have SWG inline but I don't even have it operating at the moment because I figure I need to get the water completely clear or close to it first. One boo boo I seem to have made was trying to adjust PH with baking soda. My PH is fine right now but my TA is really high, around 170-180ppm last I checked. I now have Borax and Baking soda on hand after reading this site. I have been using powdered shock because it's as cheap as bleach at Wal-mart.
I know you guys are going to want some test readings and I'll get some posted soon. I don't have a kit recommended here but I have an Aqua Chem liquid test kit that was given to me by a friend. It has chlorine, PH, TA, Water hardness, and CYA test off the top of my head.
Anyway, the main reason I went ahead and posted this tonight without test readings is because it just seems strange to me that the clearing process has just stopped. It doesn't seem to worsen or get better either. I can even see the bottom of the pool somewhat, it just has that light green tinge to the water. BTW, I did use a strip to test for copper trying to rule that out. Tested OK although I know strips aren't very reliable. I've decided to swear off most of the pool chemicals except for maybe something to get my TA down. I don't like the idea of fooling with Muriatic acid.
Regards,
Michael
Which brings me to this year. It was not covered again this winter. ( Yes I know, I should have known better.) Again I started with the really dark slimy green. I started shocking the pool and also added algecide and brushed the sides. I also worked with the net to get as many leaves out as possible. After awhile the pool began to look much better, it's no longer the dark slimy green and now is a very light green but the clearing process seems to have stopped right there no matter what I do. I have a catridge filter which I hose off daily, sometimes more than once, and it seems to be dirty everytime, even slightly green at times so I know stuff is being pulled out of the pool. Before I found this site, I tried the "Yellow Rid" again but it was to no avail. I have SWG inline but I don't even have it operating at the moment because I figure I need to get the water completely clear or close to it first. One boo boo I seem to have made was trying to adjust PH with baking soda. My PH is fine right now but my TA is really high, around 170-180ppm last I checked. I now have Borax and Baking soda on hand after reading this site. I have been using powdered shock because it's as cheap as bleach at Wal-mart.
I know you guys are going to want some test readings and I'll get some posted soon. I don't have a kit recommended here but I have an Aqua Chem liquid test kit that was given to me by a friend. It has chlorine, PH, TA, Water hardness, and CYA test off the top of my head.
Anyway, the main reason I went ahead and posted this tonight without test readings is because it just seems strange to me that the clearing process has just stopped. It doesn't seem to worsen or get better either. I can even see the bottom of the pool somewhat, it just has that light green tinge to the water. BTW, I did use a strip to test for copper trying to rule that out. Tested OK although I know strips aren't very reliable. I've decided to swear off most of the pool chemicals except for maybe something to get my TA down. I don't like the idea of fooling with Muriatic acid.
Regards,
Michael