tbay2005 Posted July 30, 2008 Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 OK, snooped around a bit and read up on some other peoples problems with green algae taking over their pools but I want to make sure I do this right in my Intex Easy set pool so I don't do any damage to it. It is the 14 foot (9500 L) pool. This happened to me last summer as we had an illness in the family and I didn't have the time to take care of it last summer. Last summer I just emptied it and refilled it when the algae took over but this year I wanted to know if there is a way for me to save on my water bill and try to clear it up. Can anyone suggest what I need to do to get my pool clean again? Should I just empty it out clean it and fill it back up? According to these stupid strips that came with the chemical kit the readings are Free Clorine 0.5, pH below 6.2(very low), Total Alkalinity 0, Cyanuric Acid 0. I haven't added any chemical today wanted to get your guys opinions here first before I do anything. What should I do. I live in Thunder Bay, Ontario so I only have about another 6-7 weeks left to use the pool for this season so I really don't want to do something that is going to take 4 weeks to clean it. Thanks for any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela Posted July 30, 2008 Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 This is only my 2nd season so I am no expert but will give you as much as I know so far and hopefully the experts will be along soon to help you. You should be able to get your water under control quite fast if you shock it. Once you put enough bleach in (preferabley at night) to kill the algie you have to ensure you brush every inch inside the pool to loosen it (twice a day) and leave your filter on. If it remains green then you need to keep testing for free chlorine and try to keep your pool at shock level until it is no longer green. The algie should turn brown or dusty coloured and should settle on the bottom of your pool where you can vacuum it up. You will need to back wash a lot to clean the filter sand - if you are using cartridge type filters then you need two so you can alternate them throughtout the day (one in the filter while you clean the other ready to swap it over). I have cleared a green pool over night in the past but I understand that some people struggle with this for weeks. However, I think this only happens when your water is not in balance and your cannot therefore maintain 'shock' levels to get rid of an algie outbreak. I hope that helps for now - the calvery should be right behind me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbay2005 Posted July 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 What would be the best way to shock the pool? Shock treatment or could I even just add pure liquid bleach? Also, does the low pH effect the shock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela Posted July 30, 2008 Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 Oh dear - you are taking me to the edge of my knowledge! Where are the calvery when you need them. OK - as far as I am aware - pure liquid bleach is fine. Depending on the % strength, you need to calculate how much to put in to bring YOUR pool upto shock levels. You can calculate this at www.poolcalculator.com Alternatively I found this advice on another site: one gallon of bleach adds the same number of ppm of FC to 10,000 gallons as it's percentage (one gallon of 6% bleach adds 6 ppm of FC to 10,000 gallons). Also, chemicals bought from a pool store frequently have dosing tables printed on the container. I think the low ph and will affect the water balance which in turn will affect your pools ability to hold onto the FC. So you will need to either raise it or make sure you check your FC level every hour or two during the day and add enough bleach to maintain your shock level. When the level holds over night you are winning the battle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pathfinder Posted July 30, 2008 Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 I am in Tbay as well & I will offer to help you out. I have sent a PM with my phone # Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbay2005 Posted July 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 So going either way, liquid bleach or shock treatment, I should do it at night? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbay2005 Posted July 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 Would like to thank Pathfinder for his offer to come over and help with my pool. But, I don't actually live in Thunder Bay, it is a little too far fr him to come for free but I thought I should mention to everyone here what he offered to do. Thanks Pathfinder! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbay2005 Posted July 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 So, should I go out and buy a big pail of shock or go with a jug of bleach? Would be really good if I could use the pool this weekend!! Thanks for the help so far Angela! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumpelnc Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 So, should I go out and buy a big pail of shock or go with a jug of bleach? Would be really good if I could use the pool this weekend!! Thanks for the help so far Angela! look at this chart http://www.troublefreepool.com/category/po...cya_chart_shock Since you don't have any stabilizer in there your shock level should be right at 8ppm, and keep it there until you don't have any loss overnight. And yes, go get regular ole laundry Bleach unscented one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbay2005 Posted July 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 OK, hope I don't sound too dumb but what is the shock level? Also, how much laundry bleach do i put in there to start? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumpelnc Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 OK, hope I don't sound too dumb but what is the shock level? Also, how much laundry bleach do i put in there to start? Assuming there is no FC in there, you need 1 gallon and 3 cups to bring it up to 8 ppm, keep your pump running, until it's clear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbay2005 Posted July 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 Adding all this bleach will not damage the pool will it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumpelnc Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 Adding all this bleach will not damage the pool will it? No, no worries there, I"ve been doing this for 5 years..The bleach will not get in contact with the pool in his concentrated form ..Pour it in front of your return line... 9500 gallons of water will get it mixed up.Just keep your Pump running... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 tbay2005 The calvery has arrived = mumpelnc is more knowledgeable than I and I would follow his advice pronto! Let us know how soon you get it under control. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumpelnc Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 tbay2005 The calvery has arrived = mumpelnc is more knowledgeable than I and I would follow his advice pronto! Let us know how soon you get it under control. Good luck Awww, thank you Angela, what a nice compliment.. I'm still learning every day.. Really I learned my real lesson my first year of having a pool, I spend so much money at the pool store that I easy could afford another pool..Even tho Intex pool's are not well equipped filter and pump wise, with proper water care it can be done... Five minutes a day keeps the Algae away Happy Swimming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbay2005 Posted July 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 Thanks for the help everyone, just added the 55oz of bleach to try and get up to 10, the recommended shock level from the pool calculator. 9500L 0 FC 0 CYA 6.5 PH Now waiting 30 min to do the next test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbay2005 Posted August 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 Update. OK, have been using the calculator to keep the bleach at 10, the recommended shock level. Now, the water has finally turned a very light green, almost grayish green. Is there something else I have to do, work on the pH levels, bring up the cya levels? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumpelnc Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 Update. OK, have been using the calculator to keep the bleach at 10, the recommended shock level. Now, the water has finally turned a very light green, almost grayish green. Is there something else I have to do, work on the pH levels, bring up the cya levels? Thanks Looking good, the grayish looking water is a good indicator that the Algae is dead, all it needs now, is filtering out of the pool.. Yep get you some CYA in there, try to shoot for30-50ppm.. Did you ever test for your Alkalinity? The reason I ask is because, PH and Alkalinity are in close relation... Also if you still shocking, your PH is not very accurate.. But find out your Alkalinity and we go from there Oh and don't forget to Brush!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbay2005 Posted August 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 Should I be keeping the pool covered 24/7 while shocking it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumpelnc Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 Should I be keeping the pool covered 24/7 while shocking it? If the pool is in full sun all day, I would say Yes, since you don't have any CYA in it, the chlorine gets used up Quick, and you don't want to loos it to the sun, Your best bet is to dose at night and check in the morning and see how much it dropped..And bring it back up.. But you need to get some CYA in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbay2005 Posted August 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 Woo hoo, just went out, took the cover off to check the levels and give it a quick vacuum/brush and I could see bottom!!! Had to really look but I could see it! Anyways. Could someone please tell me what and how much I need to add to bring the CYA up? The pool is 9500 L/2 509.63 US gallons. FC 10 pH <6.5 CYA is at 0(bright yellow on the test strip) Thanks. And thanks to everyone that helped to get me this far. Really appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumpelnc Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 Woo hoo, just went out, took the cover off to check the levels and give it a quick vacuum/brush and I could see bottom!!! Had to really look but I could see it! Anyways. Could someone please tell me what and how much I need to add to bring the CYA up? The pool is 9500 L/2 509.63 US gallons. FC 10 pH <6.5 CYA is at 0(bright yellow on the test strip) Thanks. And thanks to everyone that helped to get me this far. Really appreciated! according to http://www.poolcalculator.com/ you only need 1 cup 6 oz CYA= stabilizer, you can get it at Walmart, if that's a option for you.. And why you at it, grab a Box of Borax the Mule Team, to get your PH up Just a lil Reminder...... Don't forget to BRUSH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbay2005 Posted August 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 Yes I bought the borax and arm and hammer bs already, just need to know how much of each to put in. You're saying I need to put in 1cup 6oz of stabilizer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumpelnc Posted August 3, 2008 Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 Yes I bought the borax and arm and hammer bs already, just need to know how much of each to put in. You're saying I need to put in 1cup 6oz of stabilizer? Yep, 1cup 6 oz of stabilizer If your Ph is 6.5 you need 3lbs 6 oz of Borax to get your target of 7.5, but I would start of with half of that, and check to see where you at. Its easier to bring it up then back down.. Did you had a chance to check your alkalinity yet? I would not recommend to put any Baking Soda in, until you have it checked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbay2005 Posted August 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 Stupid me went and put the borax and stabilizer directly into the pool instead of hanging it in a sock or something. Will this make a big difference? And the alkalinity reads 0. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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