Hello All,
I'm going to try and make this as short as possible. So we have an intex 20' pool that has been up for the last 2 years. Last year we had mad issues with algae and finally discovered at the end of the season that we had several broken laterals in the pump. So before we got the pool up and running this year, we purchased a new sand pump and also went ahead and decided to purchase the intex krystal clear saltwater system. We also purchased all new sand as well. We got everything up and running with no issues but my husband did add more salt than needed by accident. But the water has been crystal clear but when we do a chlorine test, we get no reading. Our PH is balanced right and we also don't get a CYA reading either. The salt system continues to give us a high salt reading and will only run about every 3 days. Which makes no sense since we can't get a chlorine reading when we test the water. Now we vacuumed to waste yesterday trying to remove as much algae as possible. We have also had a lot of rain the last few weeks so i've been adding shock about weekly to help keep everything balanced. The water has been clear as it ever could be even after brushing the algae yesterday. Which shocked us because whenever we've brushed algae before it normally turns the water to a nasty green color. When we first opened the pool i did add algaecide simply because we couldn't see to the bottom of the pool until the salt got up and running. Also when the salt first started it ran fine for the first 2 weeks. Its so confusing since we are getting no chlorine reading but having a high salt warning and having algae.
I'm going to try and make this as short as possible. So we have an intex 20' pool that has been up for the last 2 years. Last year we had mad issues with algae and finally discovered at the end of the season that we had several broken laterals in the pump. So before we got the pool up and running this year, we purchased a new sand pump and also went ahead and decided to purchase the intex krystal clear saltwater system. We also purchased all new sand as well. We got everything up and running with no issues but my husband did add more salt than needed by accident. But the water has been crystal clear but when we do a chlorine test, we get no reading. Our PH is balanced right and we also don't get a CYA reading either. The salt system continues to give us a high salt reading and will only run about every 3 days. Which makes no sense since we can't get a chlorine reading when we test the water. Now we vacuumed to waste yesterday trying to remove as much algae as possible. We have also had a lot of rain the last few weeks so i've been adding shock about weekly to help keep everything balanced. The water has been clear as it ever could be even after brushing the algae yesterday. Which shocked us because whenever we've brushed algae before it normally turns the water to a nasty green color. When we first opened the pool i did add algaecide simply because we couldn't see to the bottom of the pool until the salt got up and running. Also when the salt first started it ran fine for the first 2 weeks. Its so confusing since we are getting no chlorine reading but having a high salt warning and having algae.
It sounds as though you may be confused about how to treat algae and prevent it from returning. The algaecide and filtering will not remove your algae, only the proper amount of chlorine will kill the algae. To know how much chlorine (bleach) is required, we must know your CYA level. Once you know your CYA level, then you can refer to the Chlorine/CYA Chart to find the correct SLAM level for your pool and perform a "SLAM" (link also below). Hopefully you are testing your own water with a TF-100 or Taylor K-2006C which will provide accurate results we can rely on. Remember, your SWG cannot produce the amount of free chlorine (FC) required to meet the levels listed on the chlorine/CYA Chart and perform the SLAM process.
