how to maintain swimming pool chemicals?

Question

i have an above ground 18" x 4' metqal frame swimming pool....the ones they sell at walmart....water is cloudy...i clean and check test water..EVERYDAY..i dont usually have a lot of swimmers...occasionally a few neighbor kids

i replace the filter inside the pump once a month and clean it every 2 or 3 days....pump runs 24/7.
how do I help circulation?
if it i start of algea....what kills it fast?
how long can i go untreated before irreversable?

is it best to keep cover on when not in use?

Answer 1

Problem is filtration. To keep a pool clear and sparkling requires 3 things:
Circulation
Filtration
Proper water chemistry
Since you test the water daily the problem has to be one of circulation and filtration. To be frank, the filter systems that come with those pools are a disgrace. To even begin to keep the pool clear they must be operated 24/7. But if you run them that long the life expectancy of the pumps is shortened dramatically. Sorry, but there is no substitute for a quality filter/pump. Wish I had better news. I've seen this problem so many times over the years but the manufacturer keeps making the same cheap junk for Wally World.

Answer 2

Cloudiness usually means your pH is to high or you don't have enough Clarine in the water,unless you are not running the pool filter pump(must run continuously. To get PH down you can add a little muratic acid or Ph stabilizer.

Answer 3

Is the water filtered ? It could be chemicals that your local water company puts in to clean the water. It's possible that as water from your pool evaporates, the chemicals become more noticeable. Also, it could be algae is starting to grow in your pool.

Answer 4

There is some good info here.