I have a 32,000 gal PebbleTech plaster pool here in Florida. It has around 80% sun exposure through the day. The area is screen enclosed. Pool usage is Zero, an expensive decoration. It has a built in hot tub section with a waterfall into the pool with around a foot drop. The aeration from that is what I would call minimal. The pool was resurfaced about 4 years ago with the “colored pebble stones" for “looks”.
Issue No. 1:
I have been getting an occasional green algae wisp at the waterline in a shaded area. It clears after superchlorinating with 2.5 gal of commercial liquid pool chlorine (?12%) and an extra dose of poly algicide along with brushing. This occurs on the average every 3 weeks during the summer. The chlorine level is around 8 - 10 when measured several hours after adding the super chlorine. What are the best options to reduce this algae from forming? The water is always clear.
Issue No. 2:
I add around a gallon and a half of 31.5% HCl a week to keep the pH around 7.1 - 7.5. I like it a little lower to maximize the effectiveness of the chlorine. This seems as too much work. I am looking for better buffering.
Baseline readings:
I test the water with: Industrial Test Systems: Pool eXact® EZ Photometer, Part No. 486201. I’m a biochemist among other things so accuracy matters...
SWG: CircuPool 45 running at 60% now. It runs 10 hours, 9AM-7PM.
Usual Readings:
Water Temp: around 83F now
Free Cl 3.0-5.0
TA-115
CH-240
CYA-40 (I like it a little lower to have better free Cl levels)
Cu-0.08, Phos-Nil, Fe-not routinely tested.
NaCl-3550
TDS-3900
EC-7.2 mS/cm
pH varies 7.0-7.6 but I try to keep it around 7.1-7.2
LSI- (-)0.25
A few times I had more significant algae streaks at more locations. The generator was clogged and needed to be cleaned. The Cl was found to be as low as 1 or 2 at those times, free chlorine. It seems like that level should be enough though. I only brush the sides of the pool maybe once a month but certainly if there is a little algae showing. I have an electric pool vacuum cleaner ?Dolphin? brand - use it once every other month or less often.
So I have added #28lbs of Borax (and appropriate acid) to the pool to get it up to around ?15 or so. It should help with the buffering and possibly keep that little bit of algae from forming. Do I really need to add 2 to 3 times more Borax to a level of 30-50?
Ali
Issue No. 1:
I have been getting an occasional green algae wisp at the waterline in a shaded area. It clears after superchlorinating with 2.5 gal of commercial liquid pool chlorine (?12%) and an extra dose of poly algicide along with brushing. This occurs on the average every 3 weeks during the summer. The chlorine level is around 8 - 10 when measured several hours after adding the super chlorine. What are the best options to reduce this algae from forming? The water is always clear.
Issue No. 2:
I add around a gallon and a half of 31.5% HCl a week to keep the pH around 7.1 - 7.5. I like it a little lower to maximize the effectiveness of the chlorine. This seems as too much work. I am looking for better buffering.
Baseline readings:
I test the water with: Industrial Test Systems: Pool eXact® EZ Photometer, Part No. 486201. I’m a biochemist among other things so accuracy matters...
SWG: CircuPool 45 running at 60% now. It runs 10 hours, 9AM-7PM.
Usual Readings:
Water Temp: around 83F now
Free Cl 3.0-5.0
TA-115
CH-240
CYA-40 (I like it a little lower to have better free Cl levels)
Cu-0.08, Phos-Nil, Fe-not routinely tested.
NaCl-3550
TDS-3900
EC-7.2 mS/cm
pH varies 7.0-7.6 but I try to keep it around 7.1-7.2
LSI- (-)0.25
A few times I had more significant algae streaks at more locations. The generator was clogged and needed to be cleaned. The Cl was found to be as low as 1 or 2 at those times, free chlorine. It seems like that level should be enough though. I only brush the sides of the pool maybe once a month but certainly if there is a little algae showing. I have an electric pool vacuum cleaner ?Dolphin? brand - use it once every other month or less often.
So I have added #28lbs of Borax (and appropriate acid) to the pool to get it up to around ?15 or so. It should help with the buffering and possibly keep that little bit of algae from forming. Do I really need to add 2 to 3 times more Borax to a level of 30-50?
Ali