First time pool owner needing help

[atipton129]

We recently moved into a new home with an above ground pool. The liner had a leak and the filter was bad, so both of those were just replaced in the last week. After we refilled the pool, I noticed that I couldn't keep chlorine in the pool. Even after shocking it, the free chlorine level would be at a 0 the next afternoon.

I was adding shock at night, kept the pump running overnight, turned the pump off in the morning, then when I came home from work chlorine was at 0. I read online that I needed to add CYA to the water to act as a "sunscreen" for the chlorine. However, after I added that, my pool turned green. The water doesn't look green, it looks like there is a green film in spots on the floor of the pool. I haven't shocked the pool yet. Will shocking the pool get rid of the green film? Is the green film on the bottom of the pool algae or something else?

 

[gonfishin]

Your signature shows you're using strips to test. From experience, strips are unreliable and you should get one of the recommended test kits. Test Kits Compared

We don't recommend shocking a pool. Instead we use the SLAM method. See SLAM Process

 

[aussieta]

what is this shock product
many people use this term to describe different products
is this filled from municipal water or a well

 

[atipton129]

The pool is filled with municipal water and I am using In The Swim Instant Liquid Chlorine as shock

 

[aussieta]

The pool is filled with municipal water and I am using In The Swim Instant Liquid Chlorine as shock

that is good
you just need an accurate test kit and life will be sweet

 

[frogabog]

Green film always means algae. You can use your shock liquid for daily chlorinating, it's just higher percentage bleach.

You'll need to perform the SLAM Process. It's not a one time addition of shock product, it's a process.

Read ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and the algae articles in Pool School.

Maybe these will help.

 

[thefloatqueen]

We recently moved into a new home with an above ground pool. The liner had a leak and the filter was bad, so both of those were just replaced in the last week. After we refilled the pool, I noticed that I couldn't keep chlorine in the pool. Even after shocking it, the free chlorine level would be at a 0 the next afternoon.

I was adding shock at night, kept the pump running overnight, turned the pump off in the morning, then when I came home from work chlorine was at 0. I read online that I needed to add CYA to the water to act as a "sunscreen" for the chlorine. However, after I added that, my pool turned green. The water doesn't look green, it looks like there is a green film in spots on the floor of the pool. I haven't shocked the pool yet. Will shocking the pool get rid of the green film? Is the green film on the bottom of the pool algae or something else?

Welcome!!! You definitely need a good, reliable test kit. The TF-100 is most recommended on this forum and has seriously kept my water crystal clear and beautiful ever since I opened my pool! I’m a pool newbie too and still learning but I will try to help with the info I do know, but I highly recommend reading “Pool School” here on TFP as others suggested.

As the previous comment states, you need to follow the “SLAM” method thoroughly to kill and get rid of the algae. If your pool isn’t holding chlorine, you need to add either liquid stabilizer or powdered stabilizer via the “sock method” (I’ll have someone else explain since I am terrible at it lol!). I won’t get too in depth because the first thing is ordering the TF-100 testing kit and getting rid of that algae! As soon as you have those things, I can help you much better.

Oh and whatever you do, please do not listen to the pool stores. The wealth of information you’ll find on this forum is so much more helpful plus it’ll save you a TON of money! Good luck and I look forward to seeing your progress!