Thread: Swimming Pools

Kev,

That's not nice. I feel for you, as we had a major algae problem when we moved in to our place late last year (we ladled 3 wheelie bins full of algae out of the pool, it was seriously disgusting).

What we were told to do to get rid of the last of it, was

1. Brush like mad
2. Vacuum the bottom of the pool to waste
3. Dose weekly with algaecide
4. Up the pH a little until the last of it was gone

We also ended up replacing the sand filter. Once we did that, the water was crystal clear in a week, and has stayed that way since.

We had dramas too - I'm a bit new to running a pool, so took a litre of water to the pool shop. I'm pretty sure I helped pay off the pool blokes ute, but the chemicals and crap he sold me got things back in order. It's been fine for the last two months....

Ours is a salt/chlorine unit with a cartridge filter.

I'd go to the pool shop mate, saves the headaches.

Matt.

Discovered that with a muck up with the timers our pool had been off most of the winter but came good with some shock treatment (s).

Found this site Mustard Algae • Pool School • Trouble Free Pool

Kev, haven't had mustard but I have had and still got black spot which is impossible to get rid of. The lesson I've learnt is it's better to over chlorinate (salt pool, via the cell level) and run the filter for a few extra hours then let things slide.

.......and yes, pool shops are a rip off and you're better off working it out yourself.

Hi Kev

I have been building/maintaining pools for the last 13 years. Without seeing your problem it is hard to say what it is ie: metals staining, algae, steel penetration etc. If you like pm me and I will give you my number and should be able to help you out.

As far as mustard algae goes the best way to get rid of it is to lower your ph and then bomb the pool with liquid chlorine. One thing to note and a common mistake alot of people/pool shops make is that chlorine is at its most effective when the ph is low. So if you ph is high (7.8 or above) and you tip in say 15ltrs of liquid chlorine (that has a ph value of 13) then the 15ltrs you have just tipped in will not be as effective at killing algae/bacteria as it would if your ph was say 7.2. (note all chlorine forms have a ph value, some low some high)

Again pm me and I will be more than happy to help you out over the phone.

Cheers Gavin

After reading the "Derusting by Electrolysis" thread, there is an option
for you to make it into a large "Electrolysis Bath" for derusting items like chassis's, trailers etc.

Cheers, Mick

You may have to do an acid treatment. That is what we do up here. Bring Chlorine levels down as low as possible. Usually 20 plus litres of acid, the filtration system must be blocked as does the chlorine dosing system. Pool shops usually have the gear for this. You usually leave it for a week maybe two and then scrub. Then set up the filtration system and filter, Then re adjust chlorine or salt levels.
Good for black spot to or just a good clean up. Should be done once a year, usually in winter.

Originally Posted by WhiteD3

The lesson I've learnt is it's better to over chlorinate (salt pool, via the cell level) and run the filter for a few extra hours then let things slide.

"Then" or "than"? They mean entirely different things and, in this context, have significant ramifications.

I note a lot of people (especially Americans) use "then" where they should use "than".