Bought a house with a pool, forgot to shock it after a party, now it's disgusting

Cassidy324 · Sep 5, 2017

Hi!

So I had no idea where else to post this...

We are new pool owners and made the mistake of not shocking our pool after a pool party. Plus we had the solar cover on and didn’t in the filter as much as we should it 90+ degree weather. So obviously you couldn’t even see the bottom when we took the cover off a week later. I shocked it once, but then put the cover back on(I think I shouldn’t have?) and two days later it was still really murky.

So I vacuumed again, checked the pH. (Was at 7.0, raised it to 7.4) shocked it again, and added an algaecide, because at this point it was yellow/green. That was yesterday and the filter has been running all night.

Through googling I've found I could either use a Water clarifier or a flocculant to clean (my filter does have a waste option).

I guess my question is- could I use a clarifier now, and then in a few days use the floc if it’s still gross? I need to the pool clear by next Monday so I’m starting to panic!

It’s an above ground pool, 10,000 gallons and the filter intake is on top of the water (there’s only one) so I’m afraid it will take too long if I just use a clarifier. The clarifier I have is Super Blue Water Polisher, is that the same as others? I ordered Hth Green to Blue (which includes a floc) but it won't be here until Saturday.

So could I use the super blue today, let it run for the next 3-4 days, then floc what’s left on Saturday?

Should I just suck it up and call somebody?

jblizzle · Sep 5, 2017

Welcome to TFP!!!

What test kit are you using? How do you chlorinate?

You have a chemistry problem, not a filter problem. You need to follow the SLAM Process process and to do that you need one of the recommended test kits.

We do not recommend any of the potions (flocs, clarifiers, polishers, green to blue) that you are talking about. They are just not needed and a bandaid on the real problem ... lack of proper chlorine levels.

mknauss · Sep 5, 2017

Welcome to the forum.

Stop -- do not use the clarifier, and especially do NOT use the Green to Blue stuff - it is evil. Contains ammonia and will mess up your chlorine balance of your pool for a long time.

We recommend you get your own test kit, TF100 from TFTestkits.net or a Taylor 2006C - the C is important.

Until you get your kit, you can add 1 gallon of plain bleach (8.25%, non scented, non splashless) to your pool each day.

While waiting, read Pool school. You will be doing a SLAM Process once you get your test kit.

Take care - and welcome again.

domct203 · Sep 5, 2017

Cassidy324 said:
Hi!

So I had no idea where else to post this...

We are new pool owners and made the mistake of not shocking our pool after a pool party. Plus we had the solar cover on and didn’t in the filter as much as we should it 90+ degree weather. So obviously you couldn’t even see the bottom when we took the cover off a week later. I shocked it once, but then put the cover back on(I think I shouldn’t have?) and two days later it was still really murky.

So I vacuumed again, checked the pH. (Was at 7.0, raised it to 7.4) shocked it again, and added an algaecide, because at this point it was yellow/green. That was yesterday and the filter has been running all night.

Through googling I've found I could either use a Water clarifier or a flocculant to clean (my filter does have a waste option).

I guess my question is- could I use a clarifier now, and then in a few days use the floc if it’s still gross? I need to the pool clear by next Monday so I’m starting to panic!

It’s an above ground pool, 10,000 gallons and the filter intake is on top of the water (there’s only one) so I’m afraid it will take too long if I just use a clarifier. The clarifier I have is Super Blue Water Polisher, is that the same as others? I ordered Hth Green to Blue (which includes a floc) but it won't be here until Saturday.

So could I use the super blue today, let it run for the next 3-4 days, then floc what’s left on Saturday?

Should I just suck it up and call somebody?

Welcome to the forum.

As already mentioned, you have a chemistry problem, and it's the lack of proper sanitizer levels. Water clarifiers and flocculants are for algae free pools, and hardly ever needed or recommended.

Also, algaecide is a preventive item, and using it now is like getting a flu shot after you get the flu. Also, many algaecides contain copper, something you do not want in your pool (just like the ammonia in the Blue to Green).

Please tell us how you sanitize the water daily, and how you test.

Cassidy324 · Sep 5, 2017

For chlorine I just have chlorine tabs in a floater in the pool.

I was just using some HtH strips I got at the store, I'll order the kit now, but I'm definitely wondering if I should just call somebody at this point. :/ The problem is that I'm in Colorado where pools are not so common, and all the pool servicing companies only work on in ground pools, and this is above ground.

According to the strips, my numbers yesterday (after the first shock on Saturday) were:

FC- 5
pH- 7.0
TA- 60
TH- 200
CYA- 40

I added some pH up and got the pH to 7.3ish before I shocked again and added algaecide. this morning the FC level was at 9-10 according the strip, but it only goes up to 10.

It definitely looks like a white cloud more than just filth that it was before, but I can't tell. It was pretty darn clean prior though.

[Here's what it looks like this morning](Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet)

[As compared to when we moved in](Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet)

I'm definitely ordering a kit, but it won't get here until Saturday, and I really need the pool swimmable by Monday. Should I just try to call in a pro for this time? That's why I was considering floc since it's a faster fix.

mknauss · Sep 5, 2017

We advocate that the pool owner is best equipped to manage their pool water chemistry. Pro's, as you say, are what we call 'dump and pray'. They will dump a bunch of chemicals, that cost a lot of money, that will make the pool sort of look better, for a short while. And then the aftermath is dealing what they did to your pool water.

Your best bet is to wait until you get a proper test kit. But it is your pool. And your money.

Please fill out a signature when you can -- Pool School - Read This BEFORE You Post

domct203 · Sep 5, 2017

Floc is not a fix, it is a bandaid at best that will leave chemicals behind until the chlorine oxidizes it all (increased FC demand), and while it may yield satisfactory results for clearing some solids out of the water, it will not be for long as floc does nothing to address the algae/bacteria that is still thriving in the water due to improper sanitation.

Here is a pic of my pool water, as it is from opening to closing. The only thing I put in this pool is bleach (liquid chlorine). That is a 48" pool, and you can count the bristles in the brush.

Ultimately it is your pool & your decision. Be sure to let us know how it goes if you do go for the 'pro' treatment.