This is my 4th summer with my pool. When I had it built the dealer recommended Ecosmarte for a wonderful Non-Chemical pool. However he failed to tell me that I would have to put in 10x the amount of work as my neighbor who was going to use chlorine in his new pool.
Over the past 4 years I have made several calls to Ecosmarte each summer and their staff is always helpful. I have experienced several issues over the years and thought I finally had a handle on everything his year. WRONG!
For the second time this summer I have uncontrollable algae. This past weekend brushed the entire pool and took apart my DE filter and cleaned what looked like an alien life form growing inside off the grids. I dumped 50oz of Algaecide 60 in the pool and added 8lbs of non-chlorine oxidizing shock to the pool. I came home from work today to see the algae coming back.
I am beside myself. I don't know what to do Any advice? Should I switch to Salt? Chlorine? Change to a sand or cartridge filter??
I was thinking of putting Metal Out in the pool and just using chlorine for the rest of the season (and dumping in a whole lot of shock) and next year switching to a salt generator and a cartridge filter.
My Levels
Calcuim 400
PH very low under 6.5 (ok per ecosmarte)
Copper is 1.0 ppm
FYI
After 4 years in my opinion here's the pros & cons of Ecosmarte in case anyone is considering using it (not including any of the chemistry debate)
Pros:
No Chlorine.
Getting to be known as the "copper guy" at the local Leslie's
Not having to worry about Alkalinity
Cons:
Can't use my Polaris (Pool must be brushed & vacuumed weekly to remove microscopic dirt that Algae eat)
If I miss a week I will have algae
Lots of money in Algaecide 60
Lots of money in Non-Chlorine shock
Lots of money in Phos-free
Can not "shock" the pool if Algae is present
Killing 2 hours every Sat Morning with all of the above
Water smells if PH is too low
Water always smells like algaecide
Again any advice is welcome. Thank You.
