First off, let me say that I appreciate any and all help. I bought a house in September of last year, and the prior homeowners made it sound so easy. They said they took pool water to Leslie’s every two weeks and did as they said...can’t get much simpler than that.
A little background: My pool is 12,500 gallons, Hayward sand filter and salt chlorinated, and vinyl lined.
Leslies said to turn off the salt water chlorinator and shock the pool once every two weeks during the off-season (once it got cold in DFW), so that’s what I did.
So so a while back, I started to get these white “bleaching” spots on the vinyl liner. They seem to have grown with time, FWIW. It’ll be in one of the pictures that I attach to this post. I’ve tried to use anti-calcium solution that Leslie’s has recommended to no avail.
And then I started to get dirt, or what I thought was dirt, accumulating in the bottom of the pool. I regularly have to use the robot or attach the manual brush to the hose and suction all of the “dirt”. I think I’ve recently come to the realization that the “dirt” is dead algae, but someone can correct me if I’m wrong.
So im constantly suctioning “dirt” and occasionally backwashing and rinsing the filter - it’s been a constant battle. And it always comes back.
Now ive looked at the side of the vinyl liner (above water level) and it seems to be quite discolored, almost as if it’s dirty, but the dirt doesn’t come off easy (once again, see pictures). Is that algae too?
I have a pool testing chemistry kit, but let’s just say I haven’t had much luck with it. For example, whenever I tested the pH of the pool last fall, I always used to think it was above the max level on the tester (7.8?) - and I asked the folks at Leslie’s...but they always told me it was fine!
Now things seem to be spiraling more and more every day...and I’d like to just be able to get back to a clean, swimmable pool in short order. I really appreciate the input and advice that anyone can offer - as you can tell, I’m pretty new to this whole pool thing.
A little background: My pool is 12,500 gallons, Hayward sand filter and salt chlorinated, and vinyl lined.
Leslies said to turn off the salt water chlorinator and shock the pool once every two weeks during the off-season (once it got cold in DFW), so that’s what I did.
So so a while back, I started to get these white “bleaching” spots on the vinyl liner. They seem to have grown with time, FWIW. It’ll be in one of the pictures that I attach to this post. I’ve tried to use anti-calcium solution that Leslie’s has recommended to no avail.
And then I started to get dirt, or what I thought was dirt, accumulating in the bottom of the pool. I regularly have to use the robot or attach the manual brush to the hose and suction all of the “dirt”. I think I’ve recently come to the realization that the “dirt” is dead algae, but someone can correct me if I’m wrong.
So im constantly suctioning “dirt” and occasionally backwashing and rinsing the filter - it’s been a constant battle. And it always comes back.
Now ive looked at the side of the vinyl liner (above water level) and it seems to be quite discolored, almost as if it’s dirty, but the dirt doesn’t come off easy (once again, see pictures). Is that algae too?
I have a pool testing chemistry kit, but let’s just say I haven’t had much luck with it. For example, whenever I tested the pH of the pool last fall, I always used to think it was above the max level on the tester (7.8?) - and I asked the folks at Leslie’s...but they always told me it was fine!
Now things seem to be spiraling more and more every day...and I’d like to just be able to get back to a clean, swimmable pool in short order. I really appreciate the input and advice that anyone can offer - as you can tell, I’m pretty new to this whole pool thing.
First thing's first .... take control of your pool. I think your gut is telling you that, but as new pool owners you (and we all did this) trusted the place that should be giving us good info. They don't! Start by obtaining either a TF-100 (link below) or Taylor K-2006C test kit. Either is good, but you must have one. I have the TF-100 with speedstir and haven't looked back. You won't either. Next, stay out of the pool store. Please read and bookmark all the links below in my signature. If you are using tablets/pucks, stop. If your water is still too chilly for the SWG to operate (below 60 degrees), just use some regular bleach from HEB or Walmart. It's chlorine. But we need to see a full set of test results from your own "proper" test kit. Then we can get specific and help you tell if what you are seeing is algae, organic staining, or something else. Definitely stay away from any pool store products, bags of shock, etc. Use just regular bleach for now. Once you get the test kit, we'll get very specific. Do some reading on those links and we'll be happy to assist. Relax and have a nice weekend. 
Tomorrow we'll be watching for:
