At a loss with Algae

Babybaits

Member
Jul 27, 2023
8
New York
My pool was going good until Monday. I noticed there was a slight green tint to it. Somehow, the chlorine floating dispenser was outside the pool. It was like that for 1 or 2 days. I tested the chemicals. Obviously, there was no chlorine, and the ph was at 6.5. I raised the ph to 7.2 and put in a little shock just to get the chlorine level up to normal and hope that it clears the water. I didn't want to fully shock it because we were in the middle of a heatwave and I didn't want to stop people from swimming. By Tuesday, I could see that wasn't enough, so I fully shocked it. I gave it till Thursday to see a difference and nothing changed, so I shocked it again. No change today. These are my numbers.

CYA 50
PH 7.5
TA 80

My FC and combined chlorine both seem to be at 4. A few hours ago, I also added Algaecide.
 
What test kit are you using?

How are you chlorinating?

Post a full set of current test results

FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Water temperature

Review and prepare to complete the SLAM Process
 
Do you have one of our recommended kits? Which one? Link-->Test Kits Compared

To perform the SLAM process that @proavia mentioned, you need one of our recommended kits to perform a SLAM.

Don't add anything but liquid chlorine, no clarifier, floc, algaecide, nothing. To clear the pool, a follow the SLAM process. Link-->SLAM Process
 
What test kit are you using?

How are you chlorinating?

Post a full set of current test results

FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Water temperature

Review and prepare to complete the SLAM Process
I'm using HTH 6-way test kit. I'm also using HDX test kit from last year because the HTH doesn't test for FC and CC, only total. They're confusing me because the HTH (which only tests TC) is coming out as 4, but when I test with HDX the free is 4 and the color doesn't change (I'm to wait 1 to 2 minutes) so the combined is also 4. I would think the other test would be at 8, unless I'm looking at it wrong. I'm chlorinating it with tablets.
FC 4
CC 4
PH 7.5
TA 80
CH 130
CYA 50
I don't have anything to test the water temperature. Just by the feel, it has a slight coolness to it if that helps. Also in case you need to know, this is a 4024 gallon vinyl pool.
 
The kit is fine, you might consider upgrading to one of the recommended kits.

To perform the SLAM process you need to add a Taylor K-1515 or this Link-->FAS/DPD Chlorine Test Kit

You will also want one to maintain the pool properly.

At 4000 gallons, it might be easier and cheaper to just replace the water and start over.
 
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You may want to double check the HDX kit for testing FC and CC.
Usually you need to add another reagent to check for CC, not let the sample sit for 1-2 minutes.

Maybe the HDX tests for FC and TC. If you do FC, you let it sit for a short while and read TC.
TC - FC = CC

@PoolStored is correct - may be cheaper to drain and refill your 4000 gallon pool.
 
You may want to double check the HDX kit for testing FC and CC.
Usually you need to add another reagent to check for CC, not let the sample sit for 1-2 minutes.

Maybe the HDX tests for FC and TC. If you do FC, you let it sit for a short while and read TC.
TC - FC = CC

@PoolStored is correct - may be cheaper to drain and refill your 4000 gallon pool.
I double and even triple checked that but it's FC and CC. Either way, I double shocked it last night and this morning the green if finally gone. It's still cloudy but I guess the shock is still at work.
 
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