Fighting Algae...

[mooty22]

Ok, so I've been spending the past week trying to clear up my green pool. After falling for the pool store antics and reading these posts I've decided to become a TFPer. So now I'm wondering if I'm going about this the right way. I've got a 28000 gallon pool, vinyl liner, sand filter. I shocked it with 25lbs of Power Powder Plus because my calcium was low anyway. It's been almost 24 hours, I've backwashed a couple times and it's shown just a little improvement. Am I just being impatient? Did I add too much chlorine? Should I wait until my chlorine levels drop before adding more? My current readings are:

FC: 6+
TC: 6+
ph: 7.0
TA: 70
CyA: 70
CH: 130

Also, with the Taylor test kit, how do you tell if FC/TC is above 6? The color match only goes up to 6ppm so basically, is there no way to tell if there a difference between say 10ppm and 40ppm? Thanks in advance for any help!!

 

[jblizzle]

Welcome to TFP!

Sounds like you have the wrong test kit. You need the FAS-DPD chlorine test and tio follow the SLAM process described in Pool School.

You should also be using liquid chlorine to avoid the side effects of the solid chlorine. The cal hypo can cause cloudiness.

Also clean the filter when the pressure rises 20-25% over the clean pressure.

 

[Divin Dave]

Hi,
Welcome to TFP!
Yes you are being impatient. It took a while for the algae to grow, and it will take a while for the algae go get gone.

Now about getting that algae gone.
You are going to need a the FAS DPD test like jblizzle said. Its the only practical way to measure FC above 5 and its the only way to measure Comibined Chlorine. You can get what you need at www.tftestkits.net I doubt seriously if you will find any in a local store.
You need the following items
R-0003
R-0870
R-0871
and the little blue spoon for dipping the R0870 powder. Look around the TF testkits site and youll find the spoon.

As a quick FYI, Vinyl Pools dont require any specific CH level and long as it not way high. CH is important for plaster though.
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/123-abc-of-pool-water-chemistry

Here is some info that you will need to be familiar with in order to clear the pool of algae and then to maintain the pool so it doesnt come back.
How to SLAM ( get rid of algae) http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/125-slam-shock-level-and-maintain-shockingl
Knowing what the chlorine level should be. http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/128-chlorine-cya-chart-slam-shock
Recommended levels http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/134-recommended-levels

Use Pool Math to know how much of which chemical to add in order to obtain your recommended level, or shock level for FC. http://www.troublefreepool.com/calc.html

Ok, so I've been spending the past week trying to clear up my green pool. After falling for the pool store antics and reading these posts I've decided to become a TFPer. So now I'm wondering if I'm going about this the right way. I've got a 28000 gallon pool, vinyl liner, sand filter. I shocked it with 25lbs of Power Powder Plus because my calcium was low anyway. It's been almost 24 hours, I've backwashed a couple times and it's shown just a little improvement. Am I just being impatient? Did I add too much chlorine? Should I wait until my chlorine levels drop before adding more? My current readings are:

FC: 6+
TC: 6+
ph: 7.0
TA: 70
CyA: 70
CH: 130

Also, with the Taylor test kit, how do you tell if FC/TC is above 6? The color match only goes up to 6ppm so basically, is there no way to tell if there a difference between say 10ppm and 40ppm? Thanks in advance for any help!!

 

[Patrick_B]

mooty, welcome to TFP!!

Sounds like this will come pretty easy for you with a little POP (Pool Owner Patience)

Enjoy the forums.