Newbie, I think I know the answer but....

[PoolDoc]

As Watermom pointed out, DE filters clog almost instantly when live algae is present; you have to add enough chlorine to kill ALL before you are going to get adequate filter performance. With a gunite pool, there's no problem with high chlorine even if you have no stabilizer.

So do this:

#1 - Add 7 gallons of plain 6% household bleach tomorrow morning, and
#2 - Add 10 gallons of plain 6% household bleach tomorrow EVENING.

Meanwhile, if your filter has a valve with a "Recirculate" setting, use that, till the algae is dead.

[healthservices]

So when do i know if the algae is really dead?

I'll be getting a couple gallons of liquid chlorine this morning.

If the picture will upload this is what it looks like today after about 6-7 back washes
.

Hopefully by months end i will be able to take a dip in the pool.

EDIT by mod: Send your pics to poolforum AT gmail DOT com and reference the URL of this thread and we'll get them added

[healthservices]

Duh, I just noticed you said bleach and I'm used to using the 'bleach' and 'chlorine' as one in the same. Can I go with liquid chlorine and will I use the same amounts?

Thanks

[Watermom]

You can use liquid chlorine. Unless it is also 6% (and I doubt that it is), you'll use different amounts. Tell us the percent sodium hypochlorite and we can calculate a dosage for you. An easy rule of thumb that may help you judge is that in 10K gallons, the percentage of chlorine will add that amount of ppm to your water. Example -- in 10k gallons of water, a gallon of 6% will add 6ppm, 12.5% will add 12.5ppm, etc.

[healthservices]

ok my

FAC is 0
TAC is 0
PH is 7.8
TA is 80
CYA is 20
TDS is 700
Phosphates is 0

I added some acid right now to change the PH

[PoolDoc]

FAC is 0
TAC is 0
PH is 7.8
TA is 80
CYA is 20
TDS is 700
Phosphates is 0

I added some acid right now to change the PH

Hint: the FAC = 0 is what's most important in that list.

[healthservices]

You can use liquid chlorine. Unless it is also 6% (and I doubt that it is), you'll use different amounts. Tell us the percent sodium hypochlorite and we can calculate a dosage for you. An easy rule of thumb that may help you judge is that in 10K gallons, the percentage of chlorine will add that amount of ppm to your water. Example -- in 10k gallons of water, a gallon of 6% will add 6ppm, 12.5% will add 12.5ppm, etc.

I'll have to take a look, if I remember correctly Chlorine is not that much more and is at 10% I have some powder shock and chlorine, and currently put three lbs in the pool at the request of the pool supply center. so I'll do a check again later tomorrow.

The Kreepy Krauly is staying on now and has stayed moving for 3 hours now. Yay!

[Watermom]

It is usually best to either follow the advice here on the forum or that of the pool store. Sometimes trying to do both makes it difficult to get a pool cleared up and get the chemistry balanced. What kind of powder shock did you add?

[healthservices]

Sorry, Power Powder Plus?

Trying to get an idea as to what do when going with liquid chlorine (or bleach) as I have no idea how to use it.

[Watermom]

What is the ingredient in the powder?

Using bleach is easy. Your needed chlorine level is based upon your CYA level. (See the Best Guess table in my signature below for more about that.) I use bleach exclusively. Each evening I test and add a little bleach. My CYA is usually around 35-40, so I keep my chlorine between 3-6ppm based on the Best Guess chart. So, when I see what my cl reading is when I test in the evening, I add enough bleach to get back up to 6. That's all there is to it. I am diligent about testing and don't let my chlorine levels get too low. If you do, you risk an algae bloom and then have to shock up to the needed level shown in the Best Guess chart. Very easy. For reference to help you know how much bleach to add, each quart of 6% bleach will add about 0.8ppm of cl to an 18K pool. So, while your CYA is 20, you'll need to keep your chlorine between 3-5ppm all the time except when you are working to clear it. Then, your shock level will be 12ppm.

You may want to bump your CYA up just a little. 20 is pretty low. We usually suggest around 40-50. Some powdered shocks have CYA in them, thus the reason for my question about the ingredients of the powder. If what you used was dichlor, then that would have added some additional CYA. If your powder was cal-hypo, then it wouldn't have and you'll want to add a little CYA separately. We'll decide that after you tell us the ingredients.