I really don't know what to do...

ana90jay87

New member
Aug 4, 2023
2
06716
Hello everyone, I'm new to the community, my coworker introduced me here with tftestkits and pool math app. He's been managing his pool fantastic, while my wife and I have been struggling really bad.

So we recently purchased our house, happens to have an inground pool. I'm assuming it's 34' x 16' and from 1' deep to 7' deep. I heard it's 13000 gallon pool (from the previous owner)

So, of course we knew nothing when we moved which was in May, and in the end of May, we finally took off the winter cover.. the water seemed very clean but then by the time algae grew - did not pay attention because we didn't know but tried to fix other important things (leaky roof near the chimney, floaded basement because of poorly routed gutter, etc..)
My wife scrubbed and cleaned really hard, she tried to learn, because of the budget issue, never been able to hire anyone. I got a manual vacuum and connected a sump pump - previous owner used it for the water on the winter cover.

We turned on the hayward 0.75 HP filter pump some time to time - didn't know that we had to run it for awhile everyday. And got a chlorine liquid stuff and poured it. Seemed getting better it stopped working then we didn't manage it orooerly. The pool became a gigantic greentea latte.
We cleaned it, and got the black mesh sunshade thingy but didn't work well. Then found out the sun blanket that the previous owner left for us. So we used the cover but still alge grew slowly.
Turns out we had to set the other chemical balance. I told my wife to scrub the pool at least once in two or three days, set the timer for the pool for 4 hours everyday.

That "regular" routine just started, we check the chemical level with the test strip. We have wanted to get the tftestkits and dolpin robot vacuum, just finance issue this month... But anyway, I checked the pool and I could clearly see that the algae is growing.

I checked the chemical level and it seemed chlorine low, ph low, stabilizer low. So I added more ph raiser. Then realized the strip takes certain amount time to show the result and ph is high.

I got panicked and so I dumped a bag of shock, turns out it also increases ph... My wife and I actually argued because of the Dang pool cleaning and around

Now I'm hopeless and writing this here... Thanks for your time, even though I gotta get up in 4 hours to go to work, I'm desperate, we hope we can use the pool just once before the summer goes....
 
It is okay! You found TFP so things will only get better now :hug:

You REALLY need to get a good test kit. Without it you will end up spending more money in the end. I know you have a tight budget but think of it as an investment that will pay off in the end.

While you are waiting for the test kit to get in find a source for liquid chlorine. Most Walmarts have it just make sure to check the date code on them. Buy as many as you can fit in your car. SAY WHAT??? Yeah you are going to need and then some more.

You should add a jug of the chlorine each evening while you wait for the test kit.

Make sure to keep your pump/filter running during this time to help move the chlorine through the water. Keep brushing to get the algae into the chlorinated water.

Here is what you will do when the test kit gets there SLAM Process It is a process that works and works well. We can/will help you every step of the way. In the end you will end up with your pool looking like this: How Clear is TFP Clear?
 
Hi and welcome! I've been in your shoes - bought a house with a pool and had no clue what the heck we were doing. It's going to feel like you're drinking from a fire hose for a little bit but we can definitely help you.

Is it safe to assume your equipment works? Assuming that's all good, the 2 most important things to do now are buy a good test kit and tons of liquid chlorine. We can work on pH and other stuff later. I know it's an additional outlay of money right now but it is absolutely worth it. Please do not waste your money at pool stores and the guess strips will lead you astray. As Kim said, add 1 gallon of LC every day until you get that test kit in hand.

It will not hurt to vacuum and brush the pool as time permits but you'll do lots of brushing once you have the test kit and start the SLAM.
Also, please fill out your signature so we know what equipment you have such as type of filter, pump, what material your pool is (vinyl liner, fiberglass, plaster, etc).
 
Welcome, take a deep breath. Lots of good info on this site, but it can also be like drinking from a fire hose. Here are the basics:

1. You need a good test kit. Test strips, pool store testing, pool services, etc are all unreliable.
2. Algae forms when chlorine is too low, simple as that. There are several other key metrics in a pool, but chlorine is what kills and prevents algae.
3. Your equipment circulates and filters the water and should be run on a daily basis. You can post up a picture of your equipment pad and we can help you here. Also a common misconception is that the filter kills algae, but that is chlorine's job (see #2).
 
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