FlaSunLover

I am not too concerned about freezing but just tired of skimming leaves from the three oak trees and pecan trees that are in close to my pool and drop leaves this time of year. The water is cool now and in balance. I do not have a cover but will buy one soon. What advice related to procedures to use can you guys give me?

I have been told several times to "shock" my 28K inground pool even though the Free Chlorine level was good. Usually this was because I had cloudy water or was treating an algae bloom. Right now I have been battling cloudy water for 1.5 weeks and still have cloudy water even though Chlorine, pH, alkalinity etc. are all in good. I had water checked again yesterday at pool supply store and sure enough was told to "shock". Chlorine level 2ppm now before shocking? I added 32 oz of clarifier yesterday and still have cloudy water. Any suggestions?

Had inground 28K pool resurfaced in March. Getting chemicals balanced was a bit touch and go but finally have what I thought was a balanced pool. By touch and go I mean seemed pool was very sensitive to chemicals i.e. I over shot alkalinity and hardness even though I added exactly the quantity of chemicals instructed and as test indicated. Pool has been clear and looking good for about three weeks now. Took sample to pool store for check (compare to my home test kits) and they told me Combined Chlorine concentration was above recommended levels. pH was a bit high (8.0)as well. I added muratic acid and that corrected pH issue. I was told to Superchlorinate to destroy chloramines but I hesitate to do that because the pool just looks too good and Total Chlorine is good. Here are readings from pool store Free Chlorine .4ppm Total C 1.0 ppm Combined Chlorine .6 ppm pH 8 CYA 70 ppm Hardness 310 ppm Alkalinity (w/stabilizer correction) 149 ppm Since resurfacing the pool I don't shock the pool as a routine maintenance having gathered from other forums that may not really be needed. Shock only after heavy rains or if test indicates low Free Chlorine (which has not happened yet). Am I making a mistake by not Superchlorinating now?

Thank you very much..I am going to purchase some of those "scumballs" even though the problem has cleared up quite a bit. One thing you mentioned was the cheap chemicals...that made me remember something. I ususally only use chemicals I buy at our local pool store. But I found a "bargin" on some stabilizer at a close out sale. I could tell it was older stuff (I mean about 2 years old) even though it was a well known brand. I asked pool store if stabilzer would go bad and they said no. Well given the large amount I had to use during start up..that might have contributed to my problems. I had been scheduled to add more but after seeing your reply I through it all out and will buy new!! Thanks so much for your reply.

Resurfaced pool first of March. Contractor originally said chemicals would be ready for addition in 2 weeks but then stains developed on the new finish from what he said was metals in fill water. I had fill water as well as pool water tested for Iron and Copper...nothing there. Contractor had me treat stains and wait for additional 4 weeks--pump running all this time but no chemicals in water. After the additional time I added all new chemicals over a three day period. I told contractor (he never came out to assist) that water was cloudy on second day but he said to continue. Last addition on third day was Chlorine. Two hours after adding pool water turned light green...next morning it was dark green. Took water for testing at pool supply store--everything looked balanced. Recommended shocking and adding Super Green Algaecide..which I did. Also added Phos/Free. That did clear up the green stuff by the second day and I had nice clear blue water. But when I removed skimmer cover to set up for vacumming...I had what looked like jelled "gunk" floating in a mass. I could lift it out in one handful. It smelled sort of like Chlorine but looked like a brownish oil clump but I am sure it is not grease or oil although it does feel oily and does not was off easily with just water. Along the water line is a brown looking edge as well that can be brushed off. I use a chlorine floater and this "gunk" formed a ring along water line around that as well!! I removed the mess from the skimmer and the floater...cleaned it all up as well. Came out again a few hours later and the skimmer and floater had another deposit of this stuff forming!! Could this be the dead algae collecting? I have never seen this in all the years I have had a pool?