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[KarenGuyon]

Hi! I would like your help in managing pool chemistry and controlling algae. Right now, I have a few spots of green algae and black algae. Here are my pool numbers :
FAC 0
TAC 2
CH 140
CYA 40
TA 110
PH 7.6
Copper 0
Iron )
TDS 600
Phoshates 0
Very rainy week. I shocked the pool Monday. I used the pool cleaner Wednesday. I plan on brushing and vacuuming pool this weekend. Thank you for your help.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
You need to follow the SLAM Process. To do that, you need a proper test kit, see Test Kits Compared. I suggest the TF-100 Test Kit ™
While you are waiting on your test kit, add 5 ppm FC worth of liquid chlorine / plain bleach to your pool each evening with the pump running.
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry and consider reviewing the entire Pool School eBook.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

You have a big honkin' pool there!

Just for a point of reference (I used PoolMath) to go from zero FC to 1ppm FC will take aprox 116 ounces of 6% plain household bleach.
Plain as in unscented, non thickened, no Clorox products, no cleaners.... just the plainest, freshest bleach you can get your hands on. 10% liquid chlorine from Walmart's pool section is a good source. Just use PoolMath to determine how much to pour.

I'd add a few gallons a day while waiting for your test results. And put the kids to work brushing that beast!

Oh yeah... after you slay the algae, you're gonna want to up your CH level if your pool is plaster. And finally, stay outta Leslies! They do more harm than help with pools, I swear!

Maddie

 

[KarenGuyon]

Hi,
Here is an update...I bought the TF-100 test kit. This last week, I added a few gallons of liquid bleach (8.25) until the test kit arrived.
Thursday evening, poured 3 gallons of liquid bleach.
Friday evening started the OCLT : FC 2.5ppm, CC 0.5 ppm, TC 3ppm. Saturday morning : FC 2ppm, CC 0.5ppm, TC 2.5ppm.
Tonight : FAC 2, TAC 2, CH 160, CYA 30, TA 110, PH 7.4, PHO 0.
My question, how can I maintain 5ppm FC without pouring bleach every other day?
Thank you

 

[KarenGuyon]

Additional information : pool temp at 86F, pool has sun all day.

 

[mknauss]

You must add chlorine every day. To replace that that is lost to the sun each day.

I would raise your FC to 7 or 8 and redo the OCLT.

 

[IceShadow]

You have a 55000 gallon pool? That is very large and will take a lot of chlorinating. Most pools lose 2-4ppm of FC daily - 2 gallons of 8.25% bleach will be about 3.6ppm of FC added. So once you are maintaining you will probably be adding 2 gallons or so a day, depending on your test results.

May people here use a saltwater generator. It would take a lot of salt to get the pool up to salt levels needed and others would have to advise on the generator needed for a pool that size, but that might be an option.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

You must remember that chlorine is a *consumable* item so it has to be replenished as needed. You just have an unusually huge pool that is going to take a bit more than most. I know that's gotta suck but the payoff is...you have this unusually huge pool that you get to play in!

I would suggest taking your CYA up to 40ppm (no more!) and get your FC up to 6ppm with however much it takes, then see how much it drops daily. You may lose less?
Using PoolMath you may observe that it takes a consistent amount and you can get by just pouring that much in daily.

Remember- big pools take a little more effort but the rewards are larger too!

Maddie