Green pool, no chemistry, have questions!

longinoa

Active member
Jun 22, 2024
44
Los Angeles, CA
Pool Size
20000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
First time poster ... Moved into our house a few years ago and have a pool. First time owning one and we kept the previous pool company on and then changing later. All this is to say - I've never done my own pool chemistry and am not certain what exactly they are adding...

I just ordered the TF-Pro kit + slam option but likely wont get it for a while - so Im not actively slamming - I think they just poured a bunch of chlorine in and left. They also did a complete clean of my DE filter.

Other facts:
- Our pool has multiple overhanging trees - the leaves are ... AWFUL.
- Older pool - so 10' deep end, no dedicated suction or pressure side vacuum. I have a nautilus cc supreme but its back at maytronics being repaired :(
- Pump breaker kept being tripped and the pool would turn green (within 2 days)- I just replaced the breaker so that shouldnt happen any more
- Our pool has a water inlet at the bottom of the deep end that is plumbed to the skimmer. There is also another pipe at the bottom of the skimmer going to the pump. With the exception of the spa this is the only way water makes it to the pump.


Now for the question

I have the option of using a kreepy krauly which will go along the bottom - however this goes directly into the inlet where my skimmer basket is. So I get either skimming or vaccuming, but not both.
I THINK the skimming is more important but really I am not sure? Is the skimminer (along with a main inlet at the bottom of the deep end) sufficient to knock out the algae? The problem with the vacuum is that w/o skimmer it gets clogged easily, like super easily. I have to go out every hour to free leaves from the bottom.

I noticed that there was visible algae on the walls, this morning I could actually see some of the floor, however after brushing the walls the floor was completely not visible. I picked up one of the garden hose vacuum bag things and managed to pull 2+ bags from the bottom of the pool today. We have been out of town for 2 weeks and the pump has been off for at least 4 days :(

Sorry for the rambling :p
 
Welcome to TFP!

Sounds like you've already done some research and picked up a great test kit. Until it arrives, add 5 ppm of FC to the pool daily. PoolMath will help with the calculations.

The garden hose (venturi) leaf bagger you got is a great tool to remove larger debris that would otherwise clog your vacuum. Work at removing as much of the debris as you can. I would stick with the skimmer to avoid clogging the vacuum for now. When your filter pressure rises 25% over clean pressure, backwash or clean.

You'll need to complete the SLAM Process. When you get your kit, take time on the tests and post results. We can help you get started from there. Have plenty of liquid chlorine on hand. Here are some articles that may help you prepare:



 
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I THINK the skimming is more important but really I am not sure? Is the skimminer (along with a main inlet at the bottom of the deep end) sufficient to knock out the algae?
Welcome! Simple answer no. The skimmer has nothing to do with algae. Algae is caused by inadequate chlorine in the water.
 
Welcome! Simple answer no. The skimmer has nothing to do with algae. Algae is caused by inadequate chlorine in the water.
No I get that, this was more, is it better for the water inlet to come from the skimmer or various parts of the pool (from a moving vacuum)

EDIT:
Okay let me rephrase my statement... Algae is killed by chlorine. I was more questioning the effectiveness of my DE pump to clear the water out due to the cloudiness after brushing
 
Last edited:
No I get that, this was more, is it better for the water inlet to come from the skimmer or various parts of the pool (from a moving vacuum)
Skimmer only takes in stuff floating on the surface of the water. Doesnt matter all that much, not better or worse.
 
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Yep. Start at 0 and target 5 ppm. Make sure you set strength of PC liquid chlorine percentage.

Does your skimmer have a diverter valve under the basket? If so, you can close the flap and pull water from nearly exclusively from the main drain. This will help remove some of the smaller debris that doesn't make it into the skimmer. Diverter/float valve...

1720920317235.png
 
Yep. Start at 0 and target 5 ppm. Make sure you set strength of PC liquid chlorine percentage.

Does your skimmer have a diverter valve under the basket? If so, you can close the flap and pull water from nearly exclusively from the main drain. This will help remove some of the smaller debris that doesn't make it into the skimmer. Diverter/float valve...

View attachment 595763
It does not - its just 2 pipes
 
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