Pool Tips:
Here are some friendly reminders and common reasons for Green Pools:
WATER CHEMISTRY - If the water chemistry is out of balance the pool will turn green.
CYANURIC ACID (stabilizer) level is too high. This level is ideally kept under 150 ppm. When it rises to the 150ppm or higher level it neutralizes the chlorine in the pool. The only way to correct this problem is to drain the pool water, which should be done every 3 years, on average.
PHOSPHATES are present in the pool water. Phosphates are food for algae and come from living matter. If your pool gets a volume of leaves or other living debris deposited in the water the phosphate level will be too high. This can be corrected by adding Phosphate treatment to the pool water, which is available in our store, and eliminate the phosphates.
TOO MANY DISSOLVED SOLIDS in the water. This develops over time through normal usage and the water literally gets so full of dissolved solids that it cannot hold the chlorine effectively. The easiest way to correct this is to drain the pool water. PH level is high. If the PH is too high it does not allow the chlorine that is present to be active. Use Muriatic acid (not more than a quart at one time) to lower the PH level.
FILTRATION - If the filter is not cleaning the water the pool will turn green.
When the filter is dirty it is unable to hold dirt and debris inside, and allows unclean water back into the pool. If your filter is a sand filter, you can clean it by simply backwashing the filter. Backwashing a sand filter should be done at least once per month, and sometimes more often during the swimming season. However, the sand wears out over time and needs to be changed after 5 years or more of usage.
CARTRIDGE AND DE FILTERS should be taken apart and the elements cleaned every 3-6 months, depending upon usage and landscaping around the pool. D/E type filters should be backwashed every month, and then re-charged with d/e afterwards. Cartridges wear out and should be replaced every 3-4 years. DE Grids shoudl be replaced every 5 to 7 years if they are properly serviced throughout the years.
WATER MOVEMENT- If the water is not circulating through the filter the pool will turn green.
VACUUM CLEANERS get clogged with debris on the bottom of the pool and restrict the water flow. Check the vacuum cleaner for clogs. RETURNS are not adequate. Meaning that when the pool was built it does not have enough return lines that return the clean water from the filter back to the pool. This can result in dead spots which allow algae to grow. There may be a need to add another return line to your pool. Please give us a call and one of our service techs will come out and provide a free inspection on your pool
POP-UPS in an in-floor vacuum system that are not working properly will restrict the water flow. Make certain the in-floor system is rotating and that all pop-ups are working.
WATER LEVEL is important to circulation. Check the water level and make sure the water line is 3-4 inches above the bottom of the skimmer. If the water level is too low the pump will take in air and lose prime, keeping the water from circulating through the filter