New Pool w cloudy water and algae problem

[aylad]

As usual, Watermom's got you headed in the right direction...the only other thing I can add at this point is that when you take your water sample from the pool, get it by inverting your cup/vial/whatever you're using, submerge it in the pool approximately 12-18 inches, then turn it right side up and allow it to fill. Also, you don't want to take it from an area where you've just mixed anything new into the water. Always give it a chance to circulate, then go somewhere else in the pool (I get mine in front of my skimmer, which is almost in the center of my pool) and get your sample. If you take it from where you just added tap water, then all you're testing is your tap water.

Janet

[cokecraze]

Thank you very much for all the advice.

It is too late. I already add in all the expensive stuff from the store. Since I am going on vacation tomorrow, I wish to get rip of the algae before I leave. I did not know that I do not have to adjust the other stuff before I put in the shock.

Right after I put in the shock, I saw algae floating from the bottom of the pool.

The test result from Aquachek test kit is as follows:

FC 10 (probably more than that. I will try to dilute the pool water with same amount of water and test it again)

pH 7.2
Total Alkalinity 120
CYA 0-30

The problem is that I will be away for 6 days and starting tonight until tomorrow there will be isolated thunderstorms. I wish to close the pool cover so that no more rain water get into the pool. I cannot add more shock to keep the chlorine level up for a few days. Should I take the risk to put in one more time of shock tonight and not cover the pool until I leave tomorrow?

[joanie109]

If it was me I would go by 27 gallons of bleach and throw 9 in today and shock it to get rid of the algae and then have a naeighbor throw 3 gallons in each day you are gone so that it keeps you chlorine up and you won't come back to green pool. When you get back you can balance the pH and alkalinity.

Maybe someone else has a better idea but that's my advice.

[aylad]

You are not going to be able to clear up the algae/cloudy water problem overnight. You can shock it tonight and then cover tomorrow if you want, but you're going to come back to green water after 6 days. Do you have anybody that could come by and put bleach in the pool daily while you're gone? The only way your water is going to clear is going to be to maintain your shock level without letting it yo-yo up and down (and that shock level depends on your CYA level....0-30 is an awfully big range...). If you don't have somebody that can add chlorine while you're gone, shock it tonight, cover it tomorrow, and hope for the best-- but don't expect your water to be clear when you get back.

Janet

[cokecraze]

Thank you for all your help.

It is a miracle. When I opened the pool yesterday, the water is pretty clear. I can see the bottom finally. I think the cover kept the chlorine in the water. Also, I have put in two chlorine stick in the two skimmers. That probably kept the chlorine level up. I put in 3 gallons of bleach yesterday and today to keep up the chlorine level. Hopefully, by the end of this week, I can use the pool. Thank you for all your advises. I really learnt a lot in this forum.

On the other hand, do you know what I found in the water after the water turns clear. I found a box level. Those mason people must have dropped that in the pool. I also found the head of the Polaris 150. The hose is detached from the Polaris 150 when it is operating. Since the water is so cloudy, I cannot locate the head until now. I do not like those cleaner that have to be attach to the skimmer. I have a DE filter. It always clog up the filter. I have since backwash for so many times.

I have bought the Dolphin Dynamics from Costco. I read all the posts warning people about the Dolphin cleaner. I wish to give it a try. It cleared all the dirt (seeds from spring and sand and even gravels.) from the bottom of the pool.