I recently came back from vacation to discover a green swamp out in the back-yard. Apparently, either the folks who had promised to keep up the pool in my absence decided not to follow my instructions or they held frequent block parties (more plausible) in my pool. This is the second bloom I am fighting with the first one being right after we bought the house in March of 2012 (pump was out for a few weeks.) This time it is not as bad as the first time and I decided to fight it right away before it got worse.
Anyway, I have been religiously pool-stored and my first reaction was to rush a sample to the local Aqua Quip where I parted with some $140 for 12 bags of shock (Burnout 35) and 1 bottle of copper-based algaecide. I was to use 6 bags and the algaecide and things were to clear up. My CYA was already too high (100) but they didn't tell me anything about it. After about 36hours and some slight improvement, I decided to research the bleach alternative (I came across it back in 2012 but wasn't to confident or knowledgeable about pool chemistry and thus decided to stick to pool store.) ... and that's how I came across TFP. After reading several posts, I decided to join as a member.
I just ordered a Taylor K-2006 kit and it should be here on Tuesday (thanks Amazon Prime!) Aqua Quip wanted $130 for it but Amazon has it for $49! I have also already put in 4gals of 7.85% Clorox bleach over the last 24hrs. Costco has a 3-pack at $9.39. I saw more improvement with the bleach and I can understand why: more chlorine with no stabilizer as compared to the Burnout 35 I had previously used.
I didn't want to just wait for the test kit so I decided to take in another water sample to Aqua Quip:
The chlorine readings above are "max of what our system can handle, so you probably have more than that" according to the Aqua Quip guy.
I know its kind of late in the season but we are still getting 85+ weather here in Seattle and as such, I want to get the pool back in usable state. I am ready to go ahead and do a partial drain (40%) in an attempt to lower the CYA. Then I will take advantage of the rainy fall/winter to do a bigger drain and lower CYA even further. My current plan is to go start the partial drain today and refill so that by the time test Kit arrives on Tuesday, I should be ready to get busy.
Is there anything else I could do as I wait for the kit? I don't want the algae to rebloom yet I don't want to over-chlorinate (is that even possible when there is live algae?) I am also using the aquabot turbo to vacuum the junk of the floor and walls. In as much as it is picking up stuff, it is also agitating the water and making things more cloudy. (yes, I know it's not smart to have the bot in there with such high chlorine levels, but the bot wass already falling apart and I will probably replace it by next season.)
Anyway, I have been religiously pool-stored and my first reaction was to rush a sample to the local Aqua Quip where I parted with some $140 for 12 bags of shock (Burnout 35) and 1 bottle of copper-based algaecide. I was to use 6 bags and the algaecide and things were to clear up. My CYA was already too high (100) but they didn't tell me anything about it. After about 36hours and some slight improvement, I decided to research the bleach alternative (I came across it back in 2012 but wasn't to confident or knowledgeable about pool chemistry and thus decided to stick to pool store.) ... and that's how I came across TFP. After reading several posts, I decided to join as a member.
I just ordered a Taylor K-2006 kit and it should be here on Tuesday (thanks Amazon Prime!) Aqua Quip wanted $130 for it but Amazon has it for $49! I have also already put in 4gals of 7.85% Clorox bleach over the last 24hrs. Costco has a 3-pack at $9.39. I saw more improvement with the bleach and I can understand why: more chlorine with no stabilizer as compared to the Burnout 35 I had previously used.
I didn't want to just wait for the test kit so I decided to take in another water sample to Aqua Quip:
Sat Index: 0.4
TDS: 900
CYA: 110
Tot Chlorine: 10
Free Chlorine: 10
pH: 7.8
Tot. Alkalinity: 153
Adj Total Alkalinity: 153
Tot. Hardness: 213
TDS: 900
CYA: 110
Tot Chlorine: 10
Free Chlorine: 10
pH: 7.8
Tot. Alkalinity: 153
Adj Total Alkalinity: 153
Tot. Hardness: 213
The chlorine readings above are "max of what our system can handle, so you probably have more than that" according to the Aqua Quip guy.
I know its kind of late in the season but we are still getting 85+ weather here in Seattle and as such, I want to get the pool back in usable state. I am ready to go ahead and do a partial drain (40%) in an attempt to lower the CYA. Then I will take advantage of the rainy fall/winter to do a bigger drain and lower CYA even further. My current plan is to go start the partial drain today and refill so that by the time test Kit arrives on Tuesday, I should be ready to get busy.
Is there anything else I could do as I wait for the kit? I don't want the algae to rebloom yet I don't want to over-chlorinate (is that even possible when there is live algae?) I am also using the aquabot turbo to vacuum the junk of the floor and walls. In as much as it is picking up stuff, it is also agitating the water and making things more cloudy. (yes, I know it's not smart to have the bot in there with such high chlorine levels, but the bot wass already falling apart and I will probably replace it by next season.)