Ah okay. Yeah, I find them pretty hard to read in terms of the colours as well. Never really sure where I'm at.We don't give much credence to test strips or pool store results as they have been proven time and time again to be inconsistent. It would be best for you to obtain one of the recommended testkits - Test Kits Compared.
How would the test kit tell me whether or not it is algae? Is it to do with the combined chlorine levels or does it have a specific test for algae?1) As others have said, invest in a good test kit - it is going to make a world of difference. Think of it this way, if you are diabetic you want to know your sugar is 134 so you can does accordingly. You don't want to say "this strip looks yellowish red so I think my sugar is between 110 and 140 so I will take some insulin". Same thing goes for your pool. With test strips all you have is a best guess.
2) Once you get a good test kit, if it shows it is not algae then it could be sand from your filter. I have a DE filter that occasionally does the same thing. I use a slime bag and it works wonders.
Ah okay. Yeah, I find them pretty hard to read in terms of the colours as well. Never really sure where I'm at.
Perhaps we will get it tested at the local pool store this week and report back.
Thanks
Edit: oh I miss read that - really? no pool store results. wow. okay. thank you!
How would the test kit tell me whether or not it is algae? Is it to do with the combined chlorine levels or does it have a specific test for algae?
Thanks
Okay, thank you. That’s very helpful.Good - no combined chloramines (Not combined chlorine) mean probably no 'infection' in your pool.
Total Chlorine (or Combined Chlorine) = Free Chlorine (Chlorine waiting around for something to do) + Combined Chloramines (Product of Chlorine attacking organic matter - it gets off gassed eventually)
no Combined Chloramines likely means no active infection.
Better - Pass a OCLT - Overnight Chlorine Loss Test.
Chlorine gets used up in two ways (basically) From UV rays (the sun) and from attacking organic matter
You measure your CL in the evening after the sun goes down, and then you measure it again in the morning before the sun comes up. If it has not changed (or changed 0,5 ppm or less), then you are good. If it has changed, then something organic is in your pool and consuming it.
That sounds like some kind of sand substitute some people use.Okay, thank you. That’s very helpful.
just in regards to what people were saying about the sand - my partner says he looked in the filter and the medium looks more like clear glass than sand.
Thank you. One other thing I just thought of is that I seem to remember the stuff in the pool “dissolves” when acid is poured on it.That sounds like some kind of sand substitute some people use.