This pool owner is getting VERY frustrated!

[NatashaT]

I am also new to this site and apologize for putting in reply here but I can not find a Post New Thread button on my computer. I have been having trouble with a green pool and not getting it cleared since the end of June. We opened the pool like normal in the spring/ early summer and did the usual to get it clear. I was having a lot of trouble getting my alkilinity, ph,chlorine, stablizer levels right but we got it clear. Towards the end of June, we shocked the pool on a Thursday night and all was fine. Then on the following Sunday, the pool was totally green. Couldn't even see bottom in the shallow end. We have a 20 x 40 vinyl lined inground pool. I tried the usual shock, vacuum, and backwash treatment but that didn't work. Tried algaecide and sequestering product called Metal Out and that has not been working. We even drained out pool as far down as possible with a vinyl lined pool and refilled. My ph, alkilinity, chlorine, stablizer etc. levels are now all correct and have been stable for almost a week and we continue to shock, vacuum, and backwash the pool but are not getting clear water yet and this pool owner is getting VERY frustrated. Any other ideas?

 

[Vyrolan]

My ph, alkilinity, chlorine, stablizer etc. levels are now all correct and have been stable for almost a week and we continue to shock, vacuum, and backwash

You need to post the actual test results and tell us how you got them. If they are based on strips or pool store testing they may be very inaccurate. Also your definitions of "correct" may be misguided by pool stores and chemical marketing. To be perfectly honest, your levels cannot be correct or you would not have an unclear pool...but we cannot help you without accurate test numbers. Please post what you have, how you got those numbers, and specifics about the chemicals your using currently. Then we can try to help. From your brief description, it sounds like some of the levels are off (likely CYA) and so your chlorine is unable to clear the water at current levels. You'd need to fix those problems and then follow the SLAM procedure to clear it up. You can read about the SLAM in pool school, but most importantly we need accurate test numbers to advise you.

 

[Kiss4aFrog]

Welcome to the forum

We can help. Instead of tossing in shock we will advise you to use liquid bleach or liquid pool shock (bleach) to kill off all the algae and then recommend a level of chlorine that will keep the algae away in relation to the level of CYA/stabilizer you have in the pool.

We do need the waters test results. Please don't toss anything else from the pool store in without posting. You can, it's your pool but if we are going to help we'd rather stop you before you put it in than try to figure out how to fix it AFTER
Algaecide won't help you as it's a preventative but won't help kill the algae and once you've killed it if you maintain a proper chlorine level (FC) it doesn't get a chance to start.

Best thing to do is read a couple threads of other owners who came her and wanted to fill in their pools or had green swamps. It will help you understand the process.

Instead of shock we SLAM. How to: http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/125-slam-shock-level-and-maintain-shockingl

This is Pool School with a lot of good articles in the left column: http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/

At some point you will need a kit to do proper testing. If for no other reason but to save gas money running someplace to have the water tested a couple times a day (at first).
There are two kits we highly recommend. TF-100 and K-2006
http://tftestkits.net/splash-page.html
http://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Complete-FAS-DPD-Water-K-2006/dp/B0002IXIIG

Can you please add the pool info to your signature as outlined here - - > http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/165-getting-started

 

[NatashaT]

I have been using the 4 in 1 Swim Test Kit with drops AND Dip strips as my other kit doesn't do the Stablizer test. Both have been consistent with each other in the results. For chlorine I have been testing with Orthotolidine and get a reading at 1.0-1.5. The PH is testing at 7.2 using Phenol Red drops. My alkinlinity test shows 100ppm. We currently use and have been using for past three summers the 3" chlorine tablets and had been having success until this year. We've been giving it time and although since my last post the water has become lighter it is STILL not clear. I just went out and bought the bleach and am going to give that a try.

 

[Kiss4aFrog]

Welcome back to the forum

Do you know what your CYA level is ??