Green pool shocked -> recurring brown algae

[skudz]

You guys seem very knowledgable and I was hoping you could help me with this one. Over 4th of July I was out of town and came home to a dark green pool. I shocked it twice and got rid of the cloudiness which took a week of running the pump constantly. Since then I have a recurring algae problem at the bottom of the pool. I have kept the chlorine level above 10 and the pH, alkalinity, and stablizer were in range according to my cheap test strips. I have tried several things. I have flocced the pool 3 times and vacuumed the algae to waste, vacuumed the algae through the cartridge filter, and ran the pool robot. It's a 30000 gallon inground pool built in the 1960s with a 200 sq foot cartridge filter, I know it's too small but it's located in the basement and I can't have it changed right now. I don't use algecide until I actually get rid of the algae problem correct?

What do you recommend I do? I am trying not to waste anymore money than I already have trying to get rid of the algae.

 

[JohnT]

Welcome to TFP!

It's very common for pools to have high CYA which can make even 10ppm chlorine level be too low to prevent algae. Do you know your CYA level?

The SLAM Process Process will clear the pool and then following the chlorination levels in the[FC/CYA][/FC/CYA] will keep it that way.

 

[skudz]

Welcome to TFP!

It's very common for pools to have high CYA which can make even 10ppm chlorine level be too low to prevent algae. Do you know your CYA level?

The SLAM Process Process will clear the pool and then following the chlorination levels in the[FC/CYA][/FC/CYA] will keep it that way.

I know my local pool store does testing I will take it there today and see what my levels are. I will also read through the process. Thank you.

 

[AftonJeeper]

I am trying not to waste anymore money

I know the feeling, spending $100-$200 each time you go to the pool store. I decided after one summer I'd had enough and took on testing my self. Since then I spend $20-$30 a month on bleach and acid. Those are the only two chemicals most pools need on a regular basis.

 

[skudz]

I know the feeling, spending $100-$200 each time you go to the pool store. I decided after one summer I'd had enough and took on testing my self. Since then I spend $20-$30 a month on bleach and acid. Those are the only two chemicals most pools need on a regular basis.

Yeah hopefully that's all I will need. I had no prior pool experience until we bought our house 3 years ago and honestly didn't realize the pool was 30,000 gallons because it was covered when we bought the house, so I have always tried to do what I can not to drain the thing because it is a lot of water. First 2 years had no real issues, this year not so much. Here's a couple photos, it might be kind of hard to see it but there is brown at the bottom it looks like dirt but it is algae the cartridges get covered in slime. I'm gonna have the water tested later today.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum.

To take control of your pool you need to do your own testing. The pool store results are not accurate or repeatable.

I suggest you order a TF100 from TFTestkits.net with a SpeedStir -- that is what I have and makes testing easy.

You cannot clear this pool using pool store tests. Also, please do not buy or put in to the pool any of the potions they recommend without first asking about them here.

Take care.

 

[skudz]

Welcome to the forum.

To take control of your pool you need to do your own testing. The pool store results are not accurate or repeatable.

I suggest you order a TF100 from TFTestkits.net with a SpeedStir -- that is what I have and makes testing easy.

You cannot clear this pool using pool store tests. Also, please do not buy or put in to the pool any of the potions they recommend without first asking about them here.

Take care.

I'll have to buy a test kit. Good advice I didn't buy anything. I did the pool store one the numbers were:

pH 7.6
FAC 5
TAC 5
Calcium Hardness 200
CYA 60
Total Alkalinity 90
pH 7.6
Copper 0
Iron 0
Total Dissolved Solids 900
Phosphates 100

 

[domct203]

Just to echo mknauss, be careful with pool $tore advise. At TFP we foster education, knowing exactly what you are putting in your pool, and only put in your pool exactly what it needs. Nobody will take better care of your pool than you. With accurate, repeatable and dependable test results, and the processes taught here, you'll have the clearest, nicest water you have ever swam in. Have a look through the forum and you will see photos of pools with such clear water you would think they are empty.

Here is mine, you can almost count the bristles on the brush:



A proper FAS/DPD test kit is the key. It seems like a lot of money up front, but it will pay for itself quickly. You'll be in control, not relying on a business that makes 90% of its profits in chemical sales.

You can get that pool glass clear, and all you need is chlorine, and a proper CYA (stabilizer) level.

 

[mknauss]

On face value the test data from the pool store looks like your pool water chemistry is fine. But -- is it? Is it clear - like the one from Dom? You have algae, or at least, recurring dead algae. To have recurring dead algae you have to have recurring live algae.

So -- you are at a decision point. Get a test kit that will allow you SLAM this pool and get it clean, clear, and sanitary. Or, do what you are doing. And have a pool that looks like it does, or worse.

Let us know your test results when you get your own test kit and we can provide guidance on a path forward.

Take care.