Looking pretty green

[S1ngram]

Hi all,

I swore this would NEVER happen to me. I've been following this site and using the methods here since I got my pool. I have always done really well, until now anyway. My pool cover blew off in February for the 3rd year in a row, algae began to grow when water temp was less than 50°, there is a leak in my skimmer gasket causing rust on the metal under the skimmer (pool store says they can repair in a week or two), I can't run filter since low water levels prevent operating equipment.

Here is my question. Do I just ignore the algae problem until I have enough water to run the filter? Or, is it worth my time/energy/test kit materials and money to mix the water with a sump pump and dose with chlorine? I realize the algae won't be gone, but I can kill it. I also have a pool robot that I could run a couple of times per day to filter out some of the algae. What are your thoughts?

 

[Oly]

I would get some chlorine in the water ASAP and mix it around with the pool brush to push back on the algae bloom while you wait for you system to be back on line. Prepare for your SLAM now, it's swim season already.

 

[S1ngram]

I'm totally confused now. I went to my local Rural King and purchased 32 gallons of liquid chlorine. (I forgot MA! Grrr!!!) I just ran all of my tests. Here are the results.
FC 0
CC 0
pH >8.2
TA 70
CYA 48

My pool looks like pea soup and I can see small clumps of algae. I ran the CC test two times because I was sure I made a mistake. I'm going to add some MA after using pool math, but I'm pretty sure I don't have enough. I live in the middle of no where, and I don't really have a reason to go buy more MA until tomorrow so adjusting the pH will be a couple of day process.

 

[Oly]

First things first, use pool math to estimate how much chlorine you need to bring your FC number to 8ppm and be sure to keep it below 10 so you can dial in your pH when you stock up on acid.
As you know this will not solve your problem only slow the algae growth and give you an slight advantage while you wait.
With no pump you will need to pour the chlorine slowly and all around the pool while brushing and mixing the water well.
You have no CC because you have had no FC and any CC you had has left the water.

Once your system is back on line follow the SLAM and prepare beforehand by having enough reagent to do all the testing necessary.

Also remember there is no 48ppm CYA always round up, you have 50. Pool School - Chlorine / CYA Chart

 

[S1ngram]

Ok, thanks! I'll check pool math and add chlorine to 8ppm and go from there. I have a sump pump going with a hose near the surface so water is moving in a circular direction already. I'll brush the walls and floor to further stir things up.

 

[x Wild Bill x]

You say you cannot run your filter/pump right now because of the skimmer leak. Do you not have a main drain(s)? Or do you not have a way to isolate the skimmer from the main drain(s)? If it is the later, is the hole in your skimmer threaded for a gizmo? If so, you should be able to get a pvc pipe plug that you can screw in there and allow you to use your filter/pump.