I have a pool full of gross water...please help!!!!!!?

Question

My wife and I recently purchased an 18'x4' easy-set vinyl pool. I skim it regularly, I have a floating chlorine tablet dispenser, and the pump runs 24 hours a day, except when I'm cleaning the filter out. I even put a pound of vinyl pool shock in once a week. I recently bought a pool vacuum that goes with my pump setup, also containing a canister type skimmer that hooks up to the pump side and hangs off the inflatable ring. I used the vacuum once, thought I was satisfied with the results, and went inside. The next day, I went out and my pool water was bright green...the whole pool. I ran to the store and got 2 pounds of pool shock...I put one in last night. This morning I woke up and the pool is no longer green, but the water is very milky and still doesnt look like something I want to swim in. What can i do short of draining and refilling it? It took almost 48 hours to fill it last time...and we have a party happening today. Is there any hope it will still be a pool party? HELP!!!!!!

Answer 1

If you have people coming over, you certainly don't want to risk someone getting sick. I know you don't want to hear this, but it's time to call a professional.

Answer 2

How can I recognize a healthy pool?

While you can't see germs that cause RWIs, you can use your senses to help recognize the difference between a healthy pool and a potentially risky one:

    * Sight: Look for water that's clean, clear and blue - free from algae and unclouded. From the perimeter of the pool, you should be able to clearly see the drain or painted stripes on the pool floor. Also, look for drainage grills at the top of pool walls. Water should be constantly lapping over the grills to be filtered.

    * Touch: Check for tiles that feel smooth and clean. Sticky or slippery tiles are caused by algae and other unwanted organisms. A hand full or scoop of water should disperse quickly and not stick to your hands.

    * Smell: Chlorine helps keep pools healthy, and will not cause a strong chemical odor in a well-maintained pool. Strong chemical odors, as well as skin, eye or respiratory irritation, are caused by the high levels of chloramines, formed when chlorine combines with contaminants brought into pools by swimmers.

    * Sound: Listen for pool cleaning equipment. Properly operating pumps help make sure that clean, chlorinated water reaches all parts of the pool, while filters physically remove debris.

Chlorine in swimming pools kills the germs that may make people sick, but it takes time. Chlorine in properly disinfected pools kills most germs that cause RWIs within minutes. However, it takes longer to kill some germs such as Cryptosporidium that can survive for days in even a properly disinfected pool. Also, many things can reduce chlorine levels in pool water. Some examples are sunlight, dirt, debris, and material from swimmer's bodies. Healthy swimming behaviors and good hygiene are needed to protect you and your family from RWIs and will help stop germs from getting in the pool.

Algae makes swimming pool water green.

Here is advice and input:

    * Your pool water turned green most likely because of an algae bloom in your pool water. When you shocked the pool and added the copper algaecide you might have oxidized the copper in the algaecide. What I would do if I were you is take a sample of the water (about 16oz.) to your local pool store and have them test for metals.

    * Algae is probably at the bottom of your pool had same problem the bottom of my pool was brown. I went to pool store and they told me to do the following: raise ph above 8 test ph. next 1 lb of yellow out and 1 lb of shock run filter, then brush and then vacuum. next 12 hrs later 1/2 bag of shock. Next 12 hrs later 1/2 bag shock. Test your chemicals run filter brush and vacuum and you should be good to go my pool is above ground 4,500 gallons so talk to a pool store.

    * Yellow out is shock by the way always read the product labels mixing the wrong chemicals together pose health risks. Your pool water is green because your PH is out of balance making your chlorine ineffective and your filtering system is not working correctly.

    * Algae is certainly the cause of the green, but an imbalance of pH and/or alkalinity is why you have algae in the first place (while there is adequate chlorine). Very high or low pH significantly decreases the effectiveness of chlorine. I suggest that you test and adjust your pH and alkalinity first (take a water sample to your local pool store and have them test it if needed). Once those are balanced, shock the water and use an algaecide. Run the filter 24 hrs per day and vacuum the dead algae debris often - you'll also have to clean the filter almost daily. Once the green starts to disappear, add a blue clarifier to help clear the dead algae from the water and eliminate any cloudiness.

    * The oxidation rate of your chlorine is affected by the pH level. ppm of your chlorine is just a quantity and the oxidation rate is the quality of the water. To properly control a pool you should use a pool controller that measures the oxidation rate or ORP.

Answer 3

Learn about pool PH  which is the alkalinity or acidity of the water it is critical. any pool place has the test kits and information

Answer 4

It may settle by then, but I doubt it.

Answer 5

Go to a pool store and have them analyze the water for you so that you can get it cleared up! You do not want anyone to get sick and quite honestly, I don't think that it will be a good idea to use it for the party because there is not a likely chance it will clear up today.

Answer 6

Run a sample to the pool place and let them tell you what your water wants to clear up.  May have a alge or metal in it that needs a chemical to counter act.  Get your sample to the pool place and then work on your ph being right.

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Answer 7

You might try a floculant. That's a substance that you throw directly in the pool that makes all those particles clump together. The pool filter then traps them.

Answer 8

pH - you need to ensure your pH is close to 7.2 to get the best from any chlorine.

http://www.watermaid-europe.com/pool_aut...

Answer 9

Stop with the pool shock & try some clorine Tablets in the skimmer basket 2 or 3 should get it nice & bright by tomorrow, but not by today.