Chlorine lock on swimming pool?

[coffeeman]

Happy Father's Day to all Dads here,

I had a pool over 30 years. Opened my pool every season, nary a problem. Last season I had a chlorine lock. This season also, This is a condition causing chlorine not to control algae & other organisms . No matter how much shock poured in to pool, it's not free to disinfect the water. Pool "experts" don't really have ideas, other than keep shocking with coloring till goes away.

Seems to me I have a new bug of some kind that reinfected pool again this year, as I went 30 yrs with no problem. Any pool owners that have any ideas? The lock this year only lasted 4 days. Last season it took 2 - 3 weeks to make water safe. Hugh amounts of chemical. I immediately knew what was happening this year and acted fast. I used 6 gallon of shock 2 days in row, thus stopping problem from getting runaway wild.

Again, any ideas or comments. Cheers........Coffeeman

 

[aczlan]

Check the phosphate levels, we had phosphate levels get too high one year and the chlorine wouldn't touch the alge. Put in some phosphate fixer (can't remember the name, can look later) and the problem went away.

Aaron Z

 

[coffeeman]

Check the phosphate levels, we had phosphate levels get too high one year and the chlorine wouldn't touch the alge. Put in some phosphate fixer (can't remember the name, can look later) and the problem went away.

Aaron Z

Good sound advice . In fact My regular pool chemical guy did phosphate test the second time I had them test water. Phosphates were on the money. My pool supplier only tests by old fashioned way. He doesn't have a computer test set up. I guess that would be automatic on that test. Last year during the long lock, I consulted 4 pool store "experts" . Had one guy sell me over $500.00 worth of chemicals to dump in at one time. He said, this is what the machine says and it will work. I fell for it . Had a family party comping up soon. I was desperate after 6 day lock. It didn't work. My pool broke through lock using the advice of the Mom & Pop dealer who has been in pool business most of his life.
EXPERIENCE COUNTS.

Cheers.....Coffeeman

 

[mjonesnh]

Used to have a pool for 22 years. Had similar problem as yours. Only cure I found was to increase the stablizer level ( cyanuric acid). Level checked ok but until I inceased it I never could get the chlorine to free up and quit having a green tint in water

 

[coffeeman]

Good point . So much shock is not stabilized . Sam's, shock has 1 lb bags containing stabilizer . I got faster results using puck chlorine and stabilized powder, I believe. Not 1005 sure why I solved problem fast.

Cheers

 

[mjonesnh]

Good point . So much shock is not stabilized . Sam's, shock has 1 lb bags containing stabilizer . I got faster results using puck chlorine and stabilized powder, I believe. Not 1005 sure why I solved problem fast.

Cheers

Are you adding a seperate stabilizer? stabilized chlorine is a good thing but when I had a pool I added cyanuric acid at the rate of 1.5 lbs per 12,000 gallons of water. This pretty much took care of the green tint. will not lose stabilizer unless you pump pool down and replace with untreated water with exception of very heavy rains. Most pool stores with computer analysis can check for stabilizer level.

 

[aczlan]

Most pool stores with computer analysis can check for stabilizer level.

Lowe's also sells a test kit that has a stick with little pads on it and the one that I have will test for stabilizer level along with the usual free chlorine, pH, etc etc.

Aaron Z

 

[coffeeman]

Thanks for posts,

I had stabilizer checked also. It was on low side within range this year. Last year I had computer check. I guess stabilizer was checked. don't remember if that part of $500. package. I have never drained water except for changing liners.

I will check Lowe's for strips. My pool supplier uses a test tube with a color chart. He thinks that's better than strips. I think strips would be great for a regular test.

Have good afternoon.

 

[Dan Hunter]

I had uncontrollable pink bacteria last year. I bought this: TAYLOR TECHNOLOGIES INC K-1106 TEST KIT PHOSPHATE. My level was WAY high. I bought a product called phosfree and have had no problems since.

 

[aczlan]

I will check Lowe's for strips. My pool supplier uses a test tube with a color chart. He thinks that's better than strips. I think strips would be great for a regular test.

IMO, he is right, the tubes are more accurate (that is what commercial pools/spas are required to use around here), but for personal use the strips are more convenient and easier to use.

Aaron Z