24' Round AG pool @ 13,500 gallons. Hayward 2 speed pump, cartridge filter, and NG Heater.
Ok, so this is my fourth year with our pool. Late last summer I started having issues with cloudy water although the water was balanced. Fought it until closing and never had a perfectly clear pool.
Opened the pool this year and it is a green milky mess. To make matters worse, some wet leaves and pine needles fell in while removing the cover.
I've always followed the pool store's advice and so this year was no different. After I opened I added 6 bags of Bioguard Smart Shock with no real difference. 24 hours later I took a sample to the pool store and had the water tested. pH was a little high and FC was low (1.5). Adjusted as recommended and added 5 bags of Burnout 72 along with ProtectAll and Banish algaecide. Plus, phosphates at 1000 so they had me floc. Waited 48 hours and vacuumed to waste. Floc again, wait another 48 hours and vac to waste.
24 hours later the pool is a teal milk color but no longer completely green. Still no chance of seeing the bottom.
I took another water sample to the pool store and got bad news. FC 1.1 and pH is balanced, phosphates have dropped to 300 but they have now tested for Nitrates and Nitrites which are 4 and 1 respectively. They advise that there is no hope and only thing to do is to completely drain and start again with fresh water.
Found Troublefreepool.com
I've decided to SLAM the pool, much to my wife's disapproval. CYA is 43 so I'm keeping my FC above 16 by checking every 2 hours and adjusting with 8.25% Clorox. Brushing everyday and cleaning the 175 sq/ft cartridge each day. I'm on day 2 and the pool is still very milky, but blue. Can only see about 18" into the water.
Realistically, to drain and refill will only cost me about $150 using city water. I've easily doubled that so far. My question is if I should give in to the wife and drain to cut my losses or keep on with the SLAM? I've used 11 jugs of clorox in the last 24 hours at $3 each. If it is going to take more than 3 or 4 days I'd be better off to drain and refill if I keep going through clorox at this rate.
Ok, so this is my fourth year with our pool. Late last summer I started having issues with cloudy water although the water was balanced. Fought it until closing and never had a perfectly clear pool.
Opened the pool this year and it is a green milky mess. To make matters worse, some wet leaves and pine needles fell in while removing the cover.
I've always followed the pool store's advice and so this year was no different. After I opened I added 6 bags of Bioguard Smart Shock with no real difference. 24 hours later I took a sample to the pool store and had the water tested. pH was a little high and FC was low (1.5). Adjusted as recommended and added 5 bags of Burnout 72 along with ProtectAll and Banish algaecide. Plus, phosphates at 1000 so they had me floc. Waited 48 hours and vacuumed to waste. Floc again, wait another 48 hours and vac to waste.
24 hours later the pool is a teal milk color but no longer completely green. Still no chance of seeing the bottom.
I took another water sample to the pool store and got bad news. FC 1.1 and pH is balanced, phosphates have dropped to 300 but they have now tested for Nitrates and Nitrites which are 4 and 1 respectively. They advise that there is no hope and only thing to do is to completely drain and start again with fresh water.
Found Troublefreepool.com
I've decided to SLAM the pool, much to my wife's disapproval. CYA is 43 so I'm keeping my FC above 16 by checking every 2 hours and adjusting with 8.25% Clorox. Brushing everyday and cleaning the 175 sq/ft cartridge each day. I'm on day 2 and the pool is still very milky, but blue. Can only see about 18" into the water.
Realistically, to drain and refill will only cost me about $150 using city water. I've easily doubled that so far. My question is if I should give in to the wife and drain to cut my losses or keep on with the SLAM? I've used 11 jugs of clorox in the last 24 hours at $3 each. If it is going to take more than 3 or 4 days I'd be better off to drain and refill if I keep going through clorox at this rate.