How can I tell if I have algae?

[RaceAngel88]

Well, I think I made a rookie mistake (probably a number of them, LOL) and that's how the CYA got so high. I use Kem-Tek 007 Pool and Spa All-in-One Concentrated Chlorinating Granules (or at least I did until I found that the CYA had gotten so high). Now I'm only using bleach 8.25%. When I uncovered the pool and the dirt and debris slipped off of the tarp and into the pool, and I found that the water temp was already well over 60 degrees, I panicked and put the chlorinating granules in without testing the water first. The pool was over halfway full when I closed it last fall. Then I had to slowly fill it with well water because it's too hard on the well to run it and run it until the pool's full. So this process takes several days. In the meantime, the pump was not running because the pool wasn't full enough. So the chlorinating granules were not getting mixed up. They were concentrated in one spot. This is why I'm fearful that algae was starting to grow in other places in the pool. When I finally got the pool full and the pump going I tested PH and chlorine but NOT CYA. This was a mistake because I thought my chlorine levels were fine but they really needed to be much higher. I probably put too much of the granules in when I should've been using straight bleach. So... my cloudy water could be due to one of three things, or a combo of all of them: (1) possible algae; (2) the dirt and debris that got into the pool; or (3) the crappy, hard well water that I used to fill the pool the rest of the way.

[FormerBromineUser]

Our Home Depot carries DE. The brand is Pooltime.

[RaceAngel88]

I'm going to try the DE. I can't find it in the stores in my area (small towns). I could drive to Lincoln to get it but that's an hour and a half away, LOL! So I ordered it on Amazon. I'll start by adding about 1/8 of a cup of DE mixed in with pool water and watch the psi on the pump/filter. In the meantime, I keep vacuuming every evening but the water is still cloudy. It's a slow process. I'm still trying to get the chlorine up to shock level. I'm adding bleach and muriatic acid every night just before dark. The numbers this morning were: FC=22, CC=.5, CYA=120, PH=7.8. I hope I'm on the right track!

[FormerBromineUser]

Been thinking.... Can you bite the bullet and get your FC up to 30? ChemGeek has recommended that your shock level be 40% of your CYA. That would put you at 48. Yikes. Lots of bleach. So I am thinking 30, rather than 25 would help a little. Also, rather than only adding once a day, do it twice a day.

[RaceAngel88]

Yes, I can definitely do that. I was tempted to put more bleach in this morning when I found it was only at 22. I'm willing to put bleach in 2 or even 3 times a day if necessary to get rid of any potential algae. Once I've got it at 30, and can maintain that level, how many days do I keep it there? I assume it's safe for me to get in the water to vacuum it, etc. at 30, correct? I think it just has the potential to make clothing fade at that level.

[FormerBromineUser]

Yes, it would safe to get in as you would still actually be below "shock level" for your CYA. Old swim suits are always advised when FC is above your "max" level on the best guess chart.

Testing and adding chlorine to maintain that 30 level 3 times a day would be great! You need to keep at it until the water is clear, there are no signs of algae, and you can pass the overnight test. Do you know how to do that?

[RaceAngel88]

Yes, I know how to do the overnight test, but with the CYA that high am I still looking to make sure there is not an FC loss of 1 ppm or greater?