Pool Still Green After Many Attempts To Clear!
by Tana
3+ weeks ago, on start up, I drained the pool because of algae. I filled it up, replaced a cracked pump, used a whole bottle of algae remover and filtered it for days but it's still green. Last weekend I changed the sand and filtered for 2 days but it's still green. THEN it was suggested I use "First Aid" was told it would kill even oil in water in 24 hours....IT DIDN'T! Now it's just a yucky greyish green! I'm at a loss!! After looking at your website I do see where I may have backwashed too much but initially it was moving some of the dead algae out. Oh yeah, & I used superfloc. Have a 12' x 18' oval pool in Louisville KY Thanks for your question Tana I've been to Louisville a couple of times. Used to live in Owensboro for a couple of years. We'll start from the "whole bottle of algaecide". An algaecide is used for preventative maintenance only. It's not to get rid of nor kill algae already present in the pool. Whomever told you to use an algaecide to kill already existing algae is mistaken. An algaecide can be used as a backup for a green pool, but this is with a very good chlorine shock. The chlorine will kill the algae and the algaecide is used for a little insurance because the chlorine level will be reduced quickly due to the algae. I'd like to have your chemical readings. This makes the process much easier. Chlorine CYA (stabilizer) pH Alkalinity Calcium Hardness Because you drained the pool 3 weeks ago, I will assume you don't have any CYA in the pool. I have to assume because I don't have your chemical readings. Keep filtering 24/7. This is important because the filter will be doing alot of work. Back wash once per day to get rid of the algae. Next is to shock the pool with Dichlor chlorine. This is a stabilized form of chlorine that will not only put chlorine in your pool, but will add CYA to it. Be careful in using Dichlor because your CYA can increase quickly. For every 10ppm of chlorine added with Dichlor, you'll raise the CYA 9ppm. For a 12 X 18 pool you probably have anywhere from 5000 - 6000 gallons of water. You can go here to learn about chlorine and pool shocking: Swimming Pool Chlorine Pool Shock Pool Chlorine Chlorine Tablets Pool Chlorine Tablets You'll need 11oz. of Dichlor to reach super chlorination. I would encourage you to go a bit higher, maybe even 1 pound. It's better to go a little over than not hit that mark. Do the shock and night and retest in the morning. You'll know the shock is working because the algae will turn a white/gray color. Shock the pool again with Dichlor, but remember to test for the CYA as well. Again, only use Dichlor if you have no CYA in the pool. If the CYA is present (between 30 - 50ppm) use regular unstabilized chlorine such as liquid or granular. Here's a good post to look over: How To Clear Up A Green Pool In Woburn And these pages on the website: Green Pool Water Swimming Pool Algae I would encourage you to lay off anything else. High doses of chlorine is the only thing that will get rid of pool algae. That, and filtering and back washing. Go here to learn about flocs: Can Super Floc Remove Pool Algae? Most real pool guys will tell you that shocking and filtering are the best ways to clear up a pool in this circumstance. Once you get the Dichlor and CYA in the pool, you can then switch to either liquid or granular chlorine to daily dose your pool. If you have hard water already, use liquid chlorine. Test every evening and keep the chlorine level above 10ppm during this process. You don't want to give the algae any chance of coming back. Filter 24/7 and back wash. Use the above links as much as you can. They have alot of good information on them. It may take more than a couple of days to see any results. The main thing is to be patient and keep on the chlorine. For a reply, you can see your post on the Q&A page in the "Algae/Green Pool Water" category. Swimming Pool Questions and Answers Hope this helps and have a fun and safe swimming season. Robert New Comment: Shocked It Yesterday By: Tana Date: July 1, 2011 Thanks Robert This has been very helpful. I shocked it yesterday but today the water is a lighter green. I used the whole lb. like I usually do, believe my pool holds about 10,000 gallons. Comment From: Robert Date: July 1, 2011 Thanks for the follow up comment. Be sure you're manually dosing your pool with chlorine to keep the level up above 12ppm. Allow the chlorine to do it's job in killing the algae and back wash once per day. Keep me up to date with your progress. Good luck with your pool and have a great Summer. Robert Comment: Follow Up To Pool Still Green After Many Attempts By: Tana Date: July 5, 2011 Robert you were absolutely right in telling me to superchlorinate! My pool is finally at the greyish white stage!!! I was beginning to wonder if I was going to be able to enjoy it at all! I've had my pool for 7 yrs. now & no one told me to do that!! Comment By: Robert Date: July 5, 2011 Remember, once you get the CYA to 30 - 50ppm using Dichlor, keep the chlorine level up above 12ppm while the algae is being killed off. his is important. It's not a 1 shock deal. You need to keep on it until all of the algae is gone. This is where alot of pool owners fall short. They shock once but they don't keep the level up high enough. The sun and heat are going to bring the chlorine level back down, so keep manually dosing the pool. Shock at night and retest in the morning. It may take a few days for the entire process. Keep filtering 24/7 and back wash once per day. Let me know how it goes for you and have a great Summer Robert Question: Algea On Bottom Of Salt Water Pool By: Janet Garcia From: Miami, Florida , USA Date: July 3, 2011 How do I get rid of the algea that is on the bottom. Should I add chlorine although I have the saltwater system? Answer By: Robert Date: July 3, 2011 Thanks for the question Janet First, I'd like to have your complete chemicals readings: Chlorine CYA (cyanuric acid/stabilizer) pH Alkalinity Calcium Hardness Metals (iron and copper) Total Dissolved Solids Salinity of the salt pool It makes troubleshooting much easier and the process of clearing up your pool will go much faster. You can get these tests done at your local pool store. Without these numbers I'm just guessing at what the problem is. First, you need to get a Taylor FAS-DPD K-2006 test kit. Pool Water Testing Water Testing Kit Do you test the salinity, and if so, how? Did you just start up the pool or has the algae problem been going on for a while? Do you clean the salt cell, and have often? Have you done anything to try to get rid of the algae yet, and if so, exactly what? You see, there's more to the question than simply "I have algae on the bottom". If you can give me a more details and answer the questions above, I'm sure I can help. I'm merging your post with this one: Pool Still Green After Many Attempts To Clear! To post a reply, or if you have a similar question, you can find this post on the Q&A page in the "Algae/Green Pool Water" category in the above post. Swimming Pool Questions and Answers Go to the Q&A page, then go to the "Algae" category. Click on the link "Pool Still Green After Many Attempts To Clear!" to find your question. Check back to this post for answers. Hope this helps and have a great Summer. Robert Click here to read or post comments. |
