Swimming Pool Maintenance Help

heavyduty · 06-20-2006, 09:43 AM

Im having some pool problems. we have an above ground pool which we have been trying to clean the water for months but we ended up having to empty the water. Now we started filling the pool back up its about half way and there is still a lot a algae on the bottom I am getting 5 gallons of liquid chlorine today, I just wanted to know if any other chemical are needed on the pool. thanks

FreeBirdbulker · 06-20-2006, 09:47 AM

chlorine wont kill the algae. you need to get algecide. also vacuuming the pool will help with that. once you have all the water in there, check it and keep it balanced

heavyduty · 06-20-2006, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreeBirdbulker

chlorine wont kill the algae. you need to get algecide. also vacuuming the pool will help with that. once you have all the water in there, check it and keep it balanced

Seriously all this time I was thinkning chlorine killed it so I guess all pool supply stores carry algecide, so I'll pick that up with the chlorine thanks

dasixthsun · 06-20-2006, 09:58 AM

they also have algeacide at walmart it is much cheaper and instead of the liquid chlorine you might want to use the tablets and crush 2 or 3 up and put it directly into the skimmer it will bring your chlorine levels up pretty quickly and then if you have cloudy water there is a product called pristeen blue you add 4oz of this stuff every other day and it will clear your pool up

Murk Mags · 06-20-2006, 10:02 AM

We had alittle problem with algae in our pool too. First off, vacumm the pool. Then add some shock too see what happens. Wait a day or two to see if it clears up. If not, get some algaecide and scrub the walls of the pool or it will have a slimy feeling to it. Good luck, if it doesn't clear up send me a PM or something. Also, keep the water PH in check too. Get a test kit that tests chlorine, PH, and alkalinity levels of the water.

FreeBirdbulker · 06-20-2006, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murk Mags

We had alittle problem with algae in our pool too. First off, vacumm the pool. Then add some shock too see what happens. Wait a day or two to see if it clears up. If not, get some algaecide and scrub the walls of the pool or it will have a slimy feeling to it. Good luck, if it doesn't clear up send me a PM or something.

this is probably the best advice. vacuuming it will help get rid of it. shocking it will raise your chlroine levels. I know you guys probably know this, but some wont, if your alkinity is low in your pool, add baking powder instead of buying alkinity raiser. its way cheaper. also, when trying to get levels equal, when you raise your alkinity, your PH levels will go up.

also if you cyanuric acid levels are 0 in your pool water, your pool wont hold chlorine in the pool. you need to add stabilizer then, and if your pool water temperature is too low, it wont hold stabilizer or chlorine.

mathey · 06-20-2006, 10:19 AM

actually chlorine will kill the algea, it just takes a bit more patience...

go with the algecide first (that will kill it) then use a floc agent (that will clump it up and drop it to the bottom), then vacuum to waste. Don't forget to backwash the filter to clean it out.

Then refill to level and keep up with your daily maintenence so it doesn't happen again. A algea bloom can spring up in a few hours on a nice hot sunny day if you aren't careful.

FYI...
in addition to baking soda to raise the ALK, standard grocery store bleach can be used for maintenance CL levels as well as shock levels, and 20 Mule Team Borax can be used to raise the ph. All are easy to get and cheap to use!