Pool looks like a swamp - Page 3

LusbyMom · 05-12-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christy

Stop dumping shock in the pool until you take a water sample to a pool place. You're just throwing money away. You need to know exactly what chemicals are needed to clear the water. You may need alkalinity and a different kind of algaecide. If you have mustard algae, all the shock in the world won't clear it up. You also may need some stabilizer, if you don't have stabilizer in your water, your chlorine will just burn off and it will never clear up.

Already went to the pool store and they are the ones who told me how much shock to put into it. I would have never put that much. Just left the pool store and am taking water in to be tested tomorrow when my new filter comes in.

nachomama · 05-12-2009, 11:20 AM

My pool always looks like that when I first open it. I always take a sample of the water to the pool store when we get the cover off to find out exactly what I need; it's usually shock and earth. After shocking it and backwashing it a few times, it's usually crystal clear.

Always make sure you have it empty about half the water when you close it. After all the rain/snow we had this summer, I'm willing to bet mine is almost full now. I'm opening mine this weekend.

Tigerlily · 05-12-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LusbyMom

We did empty it halfway but didn't put a cover on it... just the solar cover. Big mistake!

The only reason they tell you to empty it halfway is so you can disconnect the pump and filter to put it up so it does not freeze. You have indicated you have a cartrige for your pump. Do you have a diagionous earth pump? (sp)

Also do you use clorine for your pool? I used baquacil for the first few years but had many problems, then we drained it and went with chlorine.

My friend had a pool similar to mine and her cover broke lose. The next spring she had a huge frog pond. They tried and tried to get it back but ended up taking it down and getting one of those one's that inflate.

itsbob · 05-12-2009, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LusbyMom

Wish I knew that sooner

Ours is 18' round and 52" deep.

This morning it looks more cloudy than green, and I can see about half way down. Looks like shocking it just might work. I didn't want to have to drain it and pay to fill it up again.

18' round? Why pay to have it filled, jut put a hose in it and let it go..

Won't take as long as you think, it's only 8252 gallons.

LusbyMom · 05-13-2009, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigerlily

The only reason they tell you to empty it halfway is so you can disconnect the pump and filter to put it up so it does not freeze. You have indicated you have a cartrige for your pump. Do you have a diagionous earth pump? (sp)

Also do you use clorine for your pool? I used baquacil for the first few years but had many problems, then we drained it and went with chlorine.

My friend had a pool similar to mine and her cover broke lose. The next spring she had a huge frog pond. They tried and tried to get it back but ended up taking it down and getting one of those one's that inflate.

It's a cartridge filter.. not that Diatomaceous Earth. With the cartridge filter you just pull it out and rinse it and put it back in. You can reuse the filters for a long time. But the one we have is worn right out and I ordered one today.. it will be in tomorrow $85

We do use chlorine. As of last night I had used 5 pounds of shock and 1 gallon of chlorine. Today at the pool store she told me to dump more shock in it so in went 2 more pounds and the chlorine tablet is floating around.

I also bought these sock things to put on the skimmer basket. It catches all the little stuff but I have to sit out there and watch it because it clogs up and loses suction. The pool just has so much crap in it. Tomorrow I am going to try vacuuming it. Not that I can see anything

Yesterday my PH was really high, today it was really low. Tomorrow I will take some water in to be tested. This is only our 2nd year of having a pool. Before this we had one of those Intex pools and I didn't have any problems with that one but we took it down every fall.

LusbyMom · 05-13-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsbob

18' round? Why pay to have it filled, jut put a hose in it and let it go..

Won't take as long as you think, it's only 8252 gallons.

I thought it was 8600 gallons? It's 52 inches deep.. anyway I have to pay my water bill

itsbob · 05-13-2009, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LusbyMom

It's a cartridge filter.. not that Diatomaceous Earth. With the cartridge filter you just pull it out and rinse it and put it back in. You can reuse the filters for a long time. But the one we have is worn right out and I ordered one today.. it will be in tomorrow $85

We do use chlorine. As of last night I had used 5 pounds of shock and 1 gallon of chlorine. Today at the pool store she told me to dump more shock in it so in went 2 more pounds and the chlorine tablet is floating around.

I also bought these sock things to put on the skimmer basket. It catches all the little stuff but I have to sit out there and watch it because it clogs up and loses suction. The pool just has so much crap in it. Tomorrow I am going to try vacuuming it. Not that I can see anything

Yesterday my PH was really high, today it was really low. Tomorrow I will take some water in to be tested. This is only our 2nd year of having a pool. Before this we had one of those Intex pools and I didn't have any problems with that one but we took it down every fall.

SOunds like going to Cove Point would be much less a PITA..