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Algae in pool

Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:06 pm
Posted by Ramblin Wreck
Member since Aug 2011
3898 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:06 pm
I was having pump issues, so I let my pool go a bit too long before addressing the algae. The water stayed clear and all the algae was on the bottom. Got the pump running again and started adding shock. When disturbed, my pool looks like it's St Patrick's Day. The next day the algae will settle to the bottom and the water is a lovely clouded blue from the massive amount of chlorine I've added. Once I brush the stagnant end of the pool where the algae settles, it's St Patrick's Day again. I'm running the pump, water fall pump, and Polaris 24 hours a day now to help keep it agitated. The algae is too fine to get caught in the pleated paper filters or Polaris. Should I just keep adding shock? It's been about three days of this and I've tripled doses the pool in shock.
Posted by Dont_Call_Me_RAY
Member since Feb 2017
1439 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:08 pm to
Check phosphates. They eat up the chlorine. Phos-Free if you need it.
Posted by CHEDBALLZ
South Central LA
Member since Dec 2009
21935 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:08 pm to
Drain it start over and get a Floatron.
Posted by lsu4321
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2005
225 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:10 pm to
I agree to drain it. The cost to keep adding chemicals will wreck you. Can't leave a pool unattended or this will happen. One reason I don't have a pool anymore. frick the constant up keep.
Posted by Restomod
Member since Mar 2012
13493 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:11 pm to
You need a fine silt bag for Polaris and a possibly a hand vacuum to get it all out. Shocking the shite out of it won't turn it clear.

Sand or DE filter?
Posted by magildachunks
Member since Oct 2006
32482 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:12 pm to
What kind of filter do you have?
Posted by Dont_Call_Me_RAY
Member since Feb 2017
1439 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:12 pm to
quote:

keep adding chemicals will wreck you

True, if you add chems you don't need. His could be as simple as high phosphates.
Posted by thetigerman
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Member since Sep 2006
3630 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:13 pm to
quote:

Drain it start over
Posted by Hussss
Living the Dream
Member since Oct 2016
6744 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:14 pm to
You should be good to go as far as shocking it goes. Try running the pump on waste along with running the Polaris and get some of that out of there. I use a Dolphin Nautilus instead of a Polaris and it vacuums up the algae much better after shocking. I hardly ever use shock because it seems to turn green afterwards for several days for some odd reason. I just go heavy with the chlorine and throw metals remover packets in the basket. Stays clear without having to wait several days for it to turn back blue again.
Posted by tgrbaitn08
Member since Dec 2007
146214 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:14 pm to
quote:

Should I just keep adding shock?



No!! Add some algae treatment and brush really good. Let pump and Polaris run for 12 hours.

Rinse repeat
Posted by NewIberiaHaircut
Lafayette
Member since May 2013
11562 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:14 pm to
Let algae settle then vacuum to waste.
Posted by jeffsdad
Member since Mar 2007
21445 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:15 pm to
Had this problem, go to pool store and tell them the problem.

You need a black and green algaecide, not shock. Not a preventive algaecide, one that kills it. It will run about 25 dollars a bottle. give it 36 hours. It will kill it but then you will have a cloudy pool, which means you have to be in a settling agent, then vac.
Posted by busbeepbeep
When will then be now?
Member since Jan 2004
18353 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:22 pm to
Do you have a proper test kit? (one that can do fas-dpd titration style chlorine testing)

What's your CYA (stabilizer) at? How are you determining what a "massive amount of chlorine" is?

Shock is a verb, not a noun.

What kind of filter do you have? Do you have vacuum capability? You can vacuum to waste, then continue the shock process.


Read this
Posted by LSU Delts
Louisiana
Member since Dec 2007
2548 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:23 pm to
quote:

Let algae settle then vacuum to waste.


Never really had any issues with my pool when I had one except when I let the pool supplier talk me into switching from chlorine to Baquacil. I really just controlled my pH and added shock once a week. Always vacuumed the pool bottom on the waste setting.
I forgot what I used towards the end. It was a salt based chemical that I just had to add one scoop of chlorine a week. Rarely had to adjust the pH with it.
Posted by TigerGman
Center of the Universe
Member since Sep 2006
11225 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:23 pm to
Careful about draining it that it doesn't come out of the ground.
Posted by hesterhamma
Member since Oct 2013
679 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:27 pm to
Add a cap of Roebic Root X (copper sulfate). Backwash often afterwards. I used this in my pool for years. It's cheap and very effective.
This post was edited on 5/31/17 at 5:33 am
Posted by CAD703X
Liberty Island
Member since Jul 2008
78120 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:34 pm to
ignore all these fools. Throw out the expensive chemicals. You don't need to drain it. Buy the $2 liquid bleach with 10% chlorine at Walmart (over buy the pool supplies). Check freshness date. Get the newest. Buy 15-20 gallons so you're prepared.

Register at troublefreepool website. Follow their directions.

TL;Dr your pool will be 100% algae free in less than 2 weeks using only liquid bleach.

Eta I'm here to help. You can fix the worst algae using the SLAM method and it will change your life. You'll throw out all the expensive pool store garbage and your pool will never be easier to maintain.
This post was edited on 5/30/17 at 6:41 pm
Posted by busbeepbeep
When will then be now?
Member since Jan 2004
18353 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:40 pm to
quote:

ignore all these fools.
you must not have read my post

long time TFP disciple using BBB method
Posted by CAD703X
Liberty Island
Member since Jul 2008
78120 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:41 pm to
my bad I missed your response

Eta busbeep nailed it
This post was edited on 5/30/17 at 6:43 pm
Posted by Lester Earl
Member since Nov 2003
278505 posts
Posted on 5/30/17 at 6:42 pm to
You need to manually vacuum the algae to waste. If you're not doing that you're doing it wrong.

Vaccuum to waste.

Add water

Brush sides then shock. Let pump run over night
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