Very Green Cloudy Pool

[Simmons99]

Robin - be careful on all the acid you are adding. Many testing kits for PH will give you a falsly high reading when there are high chlorine levels. If you see that your PH tests lower when the chlorine level is lower, it may just be the high chlorine levels interfering with the test.

Also - have you put copper products in the pool? Have you had the water tested for iron or copper? These metals will come out of the water at high chlorine levels and give the water a green color. Copper is usually in algecides. You can have your pool store test for the metals.

[Robin N]

I have had it tested for metals, and it was negative. Water still hasn't changed any though.

I'll slow down on the acid now. Is it just a waiting game now, and keeping the Chlorine level at around 12?

[bgray]

The most recent test results do not include CYA, which kinda dictates how high CL ppm needs to be to reach breakpoint. The last I saw, your CYA was 130, which would require Cl to be higher than 12...

The only thing I'm not sure about is maintaining a level that won't bleach your liner (since mine is a gunite pool).

The key is reaching and maintaining high enough CL levels to get on top of the growing algae. By the sound of things, you may not have yet gotten there???

[Robin N]

Latest Test Results as of 4 PM today were:

CYA 130
Cl 24
pH 8.0
Acid calls for the addition of 3 3/4 pints of Muriatic Acid (which I'm not relying on)
T/A 180

It doesn't make sense to me that these numbers have fluctuated. I'm feeling overwhelmed by all this.

[mbar]

I don't think your numbers have fluctuated much. You will have to keep your chlorine up at 25, which you are. Your ph and alkalinity went up, but not by much. You will have to add acid again, but I wouldn't add too much at once. You won't bleach your liner, because you have a cya of 130. The high ph and alkalinity weaken the chlorine a little too. Just keep your chlorine up at 25 consistantly, and you should start to see your water change color. You are wasting the chlorine you are putting in if it doesn't get up past the breakpoint - the shock level. Your chlorine will just continue to be used up by the algae, and without the 25 ppms, you can't kill all the algae, which keeps you in a loop. Consistant shock levels which will be at leat 25 with your cya levels and ph and alk, will kill the algae. Make sure you brush the pool and vacuum the stuff that falls on the bottom to waste. Keep your filter running 24/7.

[Robin N]

I bumped the Cl level up to 30 two nights ago. I haven't seen a change yet - I continue to backwash (3X a day), brush the pool, and vacuum to waste. I'm not seeing much of anything. My water is very cloudy still, I can see one step down, it has just a small amount of the dead looking algae on the step.

I'm keeping the Cl level at around 40 since my CYA is 130. I know it may be "overkill", BUT I am waiting on Ben's Test Kit and I'm using the diluted method on a Walmart test and it's hard to determine the exact amount of Cl, so I'm leaning on the heavy side. I've been testing every couple of hours, but it doesn't seem like the pool is losing any Chlorine. It this normal? Does it mean I haven't added enough Cl to do the job or does it sound like it's working?

I've read Pamsel's posts - she added Polyquat in addition to what I'm doing. Is this something I should get? If so, how much should I add?

The previous owner of the house saw the pool this morning. He nearly fainted. This whole situation is humiliating. This pool is getting the best of me.

[Simmons99]

You have kept your chlorine levels that high for the last two days straight? Are you sure you don't have filter problems? If so, maybe it's time to try a clarifier as a last resort?

(WAIT for some responses from mods on this before you run to the pool store)

[Robin N]

Quick update on my pool - the green started getting lighter yesterday, I'm running my filter 24/7, continuing to brush and vacuum to waste daily, running the Polaris each day, backwashing 3X a day, testing every 2 hours and pouring the chlorine, keeping the levels high. I also installed a new pressure meter and it runs at about 1/2 power (15) when the pump is running and on backwash too. My water looks kind of greenish/grey right now. I am so happy to see progress. I can see the Polaris running on the shallow end now. Thanks for the continued support, especially from Carl S!

[bgray]

Home stretch! Keep it up! It will pay off!!!

[Robin N]

My pool turned cloudy blue today and I can see through the water enough to see dead algae on the bottom! There's not much at all now - very small amount in the shallow end, more in the deep end. It sure was easier to vacuum this time, being able to see the algae. I received Ben's kit Tuesday and I used up all of the Drop Kit Cl test already, but it sure was a lifesaver. I've already ordered a replacement bottle. The good advice I rec'd here and Ben's test kit made all the difference in killing the algae my pool. The kit is worth it's weight in gold. I still have to get from here to clear sparkley water, but I am on my way - and I've learned so much and learning more each day.