The Algae Wars Continue - - -

[tenndoc]

Wal-Mart was a little short on supplies so I was only able to get 8 lbs of baking soda. I've added it along with 2 boxes of borax and 2.84 gal of bleach. I'll add the rest of the bleach tonight after work and look for more baking soda.

Thanks -

doc

[tenndoc]

And So It Goes - -

After testing today -

FC 9, pH >8 (slightly redder), CC 1.5, TA 80, CH 110, CYA approx. 15

According to http://www.poolcalculator.com/ I should add 5 gal of bleach to take the FC on up to 19, 3 qts 1 cup of Muriatic Acid, 11 lbs of baking soda, 50 lbs of Calcium Chloride, 7 lbs 8 oz of stabilizer.

Waters still cloudy with algae ( I lost ground during the rains) so I'll add the bleach tonight. Should I follow the recommendations from http://www.poolcalculator.com/ with the other stuff.

Thanks -

doc

[BigDave]

I would avoid changing your TA just now, 80 is OK - so hold off on the Baking Soda. pH greater than 8 needs to be brought down a bit but don't use more than half the amount of acid you've calculated - put some in, let it mix for and hour or two and retest. It is quite difficult to calculate pH change.

CYA takes several days to show up in the test - how much did you add and when? If it was in the last few days, wait a few more days and retest before addding more.

Have you considered chlorinating by broadcasting Calcium Hypochlorite on the pool? This will provide chlorine and calcium at the same time.

Don't throw the Baking Soda and Calcium Chloride in together - you could make a big cloud.

[tenndoc]

Thanks BigDave -

All I've done so far is bleach, borax & baking soda. This is my first attempt at the BBB method. Where do I go to get the calcium hypochlorite?

I'll add the bleach & muriatic acid tonight after work.

Thanks again for your advice -

doc

[BigDave]

If you haven't yet, be sure to read Using Muriatic Acid to Safely Lower Your Pool's pH before using the acid.

Calcium Hypochlorite is a pool store chemical but has been recently been mixed with copper and other stuff you don't want in your pool. Ben recommended this: In The Swim Cal-Chlor Pool Chlorine Granules 50 lbs. available at Amazon earlier this season to another poster - it's not adulterated.

If you do decide to use Cal-Hypo, DO NOT let it come in contact with other pool chems or flamable liquids - Goes Boom.

[tenndoc]

OK. I've got some from Wal-Mart but it has copper so I've not used it, only bleach.

Thanks for the heads up on using acids. I've used different acids at work and its all about paying close attention and using the proper ppe.

So I'll bring the pH down using half of the previously noted amount and raise the FC levels with bleach to continue the war. Do I take care of the algae and then worry about the other chemicals?

Thanks for your help BigDave -

[BigDave]

You've got it!
1) pH over 8 needs to be fixed.
2) Chlorine kills algae.
2) ...
2) ...
2) algae dead
3) adjust calcium to protect concrete

[unklebuk]

Believe me i know how frustrating it is fighting algae..I'm just about finished with the algae issue I've dealt with for the last 5 months, clean outs, tons of chlorine ( bleach) and DTE. My pool filter is an ancient ( 40 years old) Anthony Pool system, for a 35k gallon, 35ft long by 15ft wide pool, alot of work. I tested the pool this morning and I'm a little concerned with the results.....help.

ph-7.8
chlorine-1.0
alk-180
cy-150
Th-100

[aylad]

unklebuk--The result that would concern me the most is the chlorine level of 1 ppm being WAYYYY too low for a CYA of 150. For a CYA that high, you should be keeping your chlorine between 8-15 ppm at ALL times, otherwise you're inviting the algae back.

What is concerning you? Also, if you would please start a new thread instead of adding into the bottom of this one if you're needing help, it would help keep things easier. You would get more views and responses, and it will be easier to keep the two pools and their respective problems straight....

Thanks!