Quick question about outdoor pools
20 July 2008, 03:21 PM
#1
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Quick question about outdoor pools
I bought one of these 3m wide outdoor swimming pools. Came with pump et al, but my timing couldn't have been worse - just filled it before the bad weather kicked in about a month ago!! 
Anyhoo, with the kids now off, and the <fingers crossed> the weather might be taking an upwards turn, I thought I'd best sort out my pool maintenance.
Needless to say, without any treatment the water has gone rather green!
Done a ph test - up at 8.2
Bought a chemical kit and had 3 tubs
1 for the algae treatment
1 for the ph reduction
and another one (chlorine IIRC)
So, I've added the required (I think!) amount of algae treatment, and a whole 500g of ph reduction (the tub says 600g, so I'll have to buy some more)
How long should it take to start to clear up?
I'm running the pump as well, just to get some movement.
Any other suggestions (hoping deep down that I won't have to lose the water!)
DAn
Anyhoo, with the kids now off, and the <fingers crossed> the weather might be taking an upwards turn, I thought I'd best sort out my pool maintenance.
Needless to say, without any treatment the water has gone rather green!
Done a ph test - up at 8.2
Bought a chemical kit and had 3 tubs
1 for the algae treatment
1 for the ph reduction
and another one (chlorine IIRC)
So, I've added the required (I think!) amount of algae treatment, and a whole 500g of ph reduction (the tub says 600g, so I'll have to buy some more)
How long should it take to start to clear up?
I'm running the pump as well, just to get some movement.
Any other suggestions (hoping deep down that I won't have to lose the water!)
DAn
20 July 2008, 03:47 PM
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We have just ordered a Lay z spa for our son to play in through the holidays.
Great value at £339
Not sure if it comes with any chemicals, but will refill it on a weekly basis and use the old water on the plants
Mad Fun Trampolines Playcentres Snooker Pool Air Hockey Tables
Great value at £339
Not sure if it comes with any chemicals, but will refill it on a weekly basis and use the old water on the plants
Mad Fun Trampolines Playcentres Snooker Pool Air Hockey Tables
20 July 2008, 04:50 PM
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I had the same situation at the start of this season.
I dumped in a load of chlorine and anti-algi stuff and it came out fine after maybe 4 days.
I had the pump running almost 24/7 though and went through a few filters, plus I used the net thing as a paddle to mix up the water a lot every now and then. The problem is a lot of crud settles to the bottom, where the pump action isnt strong enough to disturb it, so it doesnt go through the filter. Giving it a good mix up every now and then kept the green particles in suspension in the water so they went though the pump and were removed by the filter.
I dumped in a load of chlorine and anti-algi stuff and it came out fine after maybe 4 days.
I had the pump running almost 24/7 though and went through a few filters, plus I used the net thing as a paddle to mix up the water a lot every now and then. The problem is a lot of crud settles to the bottom, where the pump action isnt strong enough to disturb it, so it doesnt go through the filter. Giving it a good mix up every now and then kept the green particles in suspension in the water so they went though the pump and were removed by the filter.
20 July 2008, 05:27 PM
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I'd syphon out the water but when it's about 9 inches deep jump in with an old towel and towel across the sides and bottom to clean off the algae.
Then fill up again. 6 or 7 hours with hosepipe (?) and start again with chemicals. Get a cover if you haven't already which will help with temperature and keep sun off and bugs out when pool not in use.
It will soon warm up with a bit of sun. Anyway kids don't mind the cold
dl
Then fill up again. 6 or 7 hours with hosepipe (?) and start again with chemicals. Get a cover if you haven't already which will help with temperature and keep sun off and bugs out when pool not in use.
It will soon warm up with a bit of sun. Anyway kids don't mind the cold
dl
20 July 2008, 06:34 PM
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Bit late now but: First NEVER EVER let pool water go green, it takes so much more work to put right than if it was maintained: All you needed to do was drop a multi-action chlorine tablet(s) in a floating doser as and when needed and check the PH once a week or so. 
If your keeping the manky water: The way I do it with proper swimming pools that have gone green is this:
Skim off any floating growth
Add PH Minus so levels read 7.0 on the test kit (lower the better - google "Bartier Disinfection Index" ). Normally it should be around 7.4 to 7.6 but because its got algae in it, you need to lower more than normal to sort it out.
Add algaecide at stated dosage.
Once PH is correct (about 15 to 20mins after adding - with pump on) add the chlorine (Rule: PH first THEN chlorine - this ensures that more Hypochlous acid is produced from the chlorine), and scrub down the sides.
Now, in this case you should be using unstabilised chlorine. Sometimes called "shock chlorine". This is different to the normal stabilised chlorine and is used for correcting an infected pool. Normal dosage of shock chlorine is 10times that of the normal chlorine dose (if you use chlorine powder/liquid).
If the chlorine you have bought is stabilised, do not use it for shock treating; chlorine levels will go through the roof and will take forever to go back down to safe levels (as it contains cyanuric acid which delays its release). Just add it at the stated dosage - it'll work, just not anywhere near as quickly.
After that lot is done, it should take a day or so for the green to bleach (if using shock chlorine) leaving you with cloudy water; this is where you need to add "flocculant"
The flocculant will combine the dead organic matter so that it can be either vacuumed up and/or caught by the pump filter, run pump for at least 24 hours or until the water becomes clear, then clean out the pump filter.
Or sod it, start from scratch drain it, clean it and replace all the water
(as a note at least 5% of the water should be replaced every month with fresh, this reduces the total levels of dissolved solids, and reduces excessive build up of unwanted by-products, like cyanuric acid and chloromines).
To brush up on your pool chemistry have a nose on here: The Swimming Pool Operators and Owners Resource Pages Index
Its makes for very heavy reading, but its a wealth of info.
If your keeping the manky water: The way I do it with proper swimming pools that have gone green is this:
Skim off any floating growth
Add PH Minus so levels read 7.0 on the test kit (lower the better - google "Bartier Disinfection Index" ). Normally it should be around 7.4 to 7.6 but because its got algae in it, you need to lower more than normal to sort it out.
Add algaecide at stated dosage.
Once PH is correct (about 15 to 20mins after adding - with pump on) add the chlorine (Rule: PH first THEN chlorine - this ensures that more Hypochlous acid is produced from the chlorine), and scrub down the sides.
Now, in this case you should be using unstabilised chlorine. Sometimes called "shock chlorine". This is different to the normal stabilised chlorine and is used for correcting an infected pool. Normal dosage of shock chlorine is 10times that of the normal chlorine dose (if you use chlorine powder/liquid).
If the chlorine you have bought is stabilised, do not use it for shock treating; chlorine levels will go through the roof and will take forever to go back down to safe levels (as it contains cyanuric acid which delays its release). Just add it at the stated dosage - it'll work, just not anywhere near as quickly.
After that lot is done, it should take a day or so for the green to bleach (if using shock chlorine) leaving you with cloudy water; this is where you need to add "flocculant"
The flocculant will combine the dead organic matter so that it can be either vacuumed up and/or caught by the pump filter, run pump for at least 24 hours or until the water becomes clear, then clean out the pump filter.
Or sod it, start from scratch drain it, clean it and replace all the water
(as a note at least 5% of the water should be replaced every month with fresh, this reduces the total levels of dissolved solids, and reduces excessive build up of unwanted by-products, like cyanuric acid and chloromines).
To brush up on your pool chemistry have a nose on here: The Swimming Pool Operators and Owners Resource Pages Index
Its makes for very heavy reading, but its a wealth of info.
Last edited by Shark Man; 20 July 2008 at 06:47 PM.
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20 July 2008, 06:50 PM
#9
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LOL at above! Kinda difficult in the Midlands!
Many thanks Sharkman - will try you method, then see what's what at the end of the week.
Dan
Many thanks Sharkman - will try you method, then see what's what at the end of the week.
Dan
mine needs 3 or 4 flushes
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