Algae Help Needed

kraft1cr

New member
Mar 31, 2025
3
AZ
Pool Size
13000
Hi everyone. I have been reading the forums over the last 2 weeks. We live in southwest AZ. Very dry, very hot, very sunny. We have extremely hard water. We noticed algae in the pool a couple weeks ago however we have a pool company come service 2 times a week, so I'm not sure what they've been up to this whole time. They wanted to shock and algaecide. I asked them to run the CYA and it came back at 192. After reading up some more I set up for the pool to be drained and refilled later this week.

My biggest question/concern is what to put in the pool following the drain and refill. We were recommended 4lbs CYA, 2lbs shock, 2 quarts stain and scale, and possibly algaecide.
I have read all about the SLAM process but I'm not sure the wife and I would be able to follow is closely enough to make sure it is effective due to our jobs and hours worked.

Any backup options for treatment? Or just do the SLAM to the best of our ability?
Also, is there anything we can apply when empty and scrub to help?

Any help is appreciated, trying to dip our toes into doing this all ourselves at some point.

Thanks!
 
Slam is NOT an option with a CYA of 192, if it actually 192...
I also suspect, with a CYA that high, your CH is likely also high.

We don't trust testing from pool stores or pool companies.
Get a recommended test kit and post up results...Link-->FC/CYA Levels
Why? Because pool store testing is generally inaccurate, and we could make recommendations that could do more harm than good.

Let's get a good set of results to make decision on the right path forward. Doing that will save you $$$ and headache...

We do not recommend Stain and Scale or algaecide.

When you get your kit, do all the tests as normal in the instructions. When you test CYA, perform the test following this at #8 here:
 
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Welcome to TFP.

My biggest question/concern is what to put in the pool following the drain and refill. We were recommended 4lbs CYA, 2lbs shock, 2 quarts stain and scale, and possibly algaecide.


PoolMath


 
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Slam is NOT an option with a CYA of 192, if it actually 192...
I also suspect, with a CYA that high, your CH is likely also high.

We don't trust testing from pool stores or pool companies.
Get a recommended test kit and post up results...Link-->FC/CYA Levels
Why? Because pool store testing is generally inaccurate, and we could make recommendations that could do more harm than good.

Let's get a good set of results to make decision on the right path forward. Doing that will save you $$$ and headache...

We do not recommend Stain and Scale or algaecide.

When you get your kit, do all the tests as normal in the instructions. When you test CYA, perform the test following this at #8 here:
My plan was to drain, lightly power wash the walls, refill. Then test the water and go from there. Whether that be try to SLAM the best I can keep up with or some alternate route.

But you think I should test it before we even drain it?
 
But you think I should test it before we even drain it
Yes. What if we find out you don't need to drain...saves a lot of work and expense.
We really have no idea the condition of your water.
Get the test kit and post results...
 
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