Results for "brown algae"

Filters Medium 2-3 hours for treatment process 186 👍 0

Can Pool Filter Sand Be Used in Garden? Complete Guide

I got stuck with 200 pounds of nasty used pool filter sand that the previous owner left behind when I moved in. Been in my filter for 3 years. Wondering if I can dump this in my vegetable garden or if the chlorine and other pool chemicals make it unsafe for plants. Anyone know if there's a way to clean it first or should I just toss it?…more

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Filters Easy 15 minutes 137 👍 0

How Long Do Pool Cartridge Filters Last? Replacement Guide

Between my pool store saying 2-4 weeks and everything online claiming 2-4 months, I'm completely lost on when to actually replace my cartridge filter. How long between cleanings? When do I throw them out completely and buy new ones?

Running my pool daily during summer. Want to stay on top of maintenance but not waste money replacing too early.…more

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Water Chemistry Easy 30 minutes 137 👍 0

Does Pool Chlorine Lighten Hair? Chemistry & Protection Tips

Between being a total pool newbie and having no clue about proper chlorine levels, I'm wondering if I'm accidentally bleaching my hair every time I swim. My daughter has been swimming almost daily and I swear her brown hair is starting to look lighter, almost with blonde streaks. Is this actually happening or am I imagining things?

The pool store told me to keep my chlorine levels between 1-3 ppm, and I've been pretty good about testing and adding chemicals. But now I'm wondering if the chlorine is actually bleaching her hair? If this is really happening, is there anything I can do to prevent it while still keeping the pool safe to swim in?…more

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Product Ranking 5 compared

Best Solar Pool Skimmers

4.4 (8,400 reviews)

Algae Green Pool Medium 2-4 hours 133 👍 0

Does Cloudy Pool Water Mean Algae? Expert Diagnosis Guide

Walked out to my 20,000 gallon inground pool this morning and the crystal clear water from three days ago is now completely cloudy. They've been asking to use the pool, but I'm worried this cloudiness might mean we have an algae problem that could make them sick.

I'm not sure what's causing the cloudiness - could it be algae starting to grow, or might there be other reasons? How can I tell the difference between algae and other issues that cause cloudy water? I want to make sure I properly diagnose what's wrong before letting the kids back in the pool.…more

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Filters Easy 15 minutes 132 👍 0

How to Tell If Your Pool Cartridge Filter Is Bad - 7 Signs

Nobody can explain why my test strips show perfect chemistry levels but my pool water looks like chocolate milk. Filter cartridge looks grayish and the pleats seem a bit beat up. Tried cleaning it but water quality isn't improving.

How do I know when it's actually time to replace the cartridge versus just needing a better cleaning? What should I be looking for?…more

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Algae Green Pool Medium 2-7 days treatment 121 👍 0

Can You Swim in a Pool with Algae? Safety Guide & Solutions

Somewhere between yesterday's crystal clear water and this morning's green algae nightmare coating my 20,000-gallon inground pool, my kids started their relentless begging to swim. What are the actual health risks? Should I keep everyone out until it's completely clear, or is a little algae not that big of a deal?

I've heard mixed things from neighbors - some say it's fine as long as you shower after, others say it's dangerous. Looking for the real facts on swimming with algae present.…more

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Above Ground Medium 2-3 hours 116 👍 0

How to Clean Pool Liner: Complete Above Ground Pool Guide

Three days until our big pool party and I'm staring at an above ground pool liner that looks absolutely revolting. The liner is starting to look a bit grimy and I can see some algae spots forming near the waterline. The pool store told me I need to clean it regularly but didn't give me specifics on how to do it safely.

I'm worried about damaging the vinyl since it wasn't cheap to replace. What kind of cleaner should I use, and what's the proper technique? I have a regular scrub brush but I'm not sure if that's too harsh. Should I be checking my water chemistry first before cleaning? Any guidance would be really appreciated since I don't want to mess this up!…more

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Cloudy Water Medium 2-3 days 115 👍 0

How to Clear Cloudy Pool Water: Expert Troubleshooting Guide

Somewhere between my pool equipment and the water itself, there's this nauseating mix of chemical stench and stagnant rot that's been suffocating my backyard for a week. Every time I go in there with a water sample, they try to sell me $100+ worth of different chemicals without really explaining what's wrong or how to systematically fix it.

I want to understand what actually causes cloudy water so I can troubleshoot this myself and stop throwing money at random products. Is it always a filtration issue, or could it be chemical imbalance? How do I figure out the root cause and tackle it step by step without breaking the bank on expensive shock treatments and clarifiers?…more

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Winterizing Medium 2-3 hours for complete winterization 112 👍 0

Can Pool Chemicals Freeze? Winter Storage Guide 2024

Opened my pool chemical bottles after reading the "store in cool, dry place" instructions, but now my garage is freezing and I'm questioning if they actually mean below 32 degrees. We had an unexpected cold snap last week and temperatures dropped well below freezing in my garage where I keep all my pool supplies. I have both liquid chlorine and powder shock treatments stored out there, plus some other liquid chemicals.

I'm concerned about whether these chemicals are still safe to use when my kids start swimming again in spring. Did the freezing temperatures damage them or make them less effective? I want to make sure the water quality will be perfect and safe for my family. Should I be planning to replace everything, or are some chemicals more resistant to freezing than others?…more

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Algae Green Pool Medium 3-5 days 111 👍 0

Can Pool Algae Be Brown? Types, ID & Treatment Guide

According to my pool guy I've done everything right — shocked twice, scrubbed every surface, ran the pump nonstop — but this mysterious brown crud keeps coming back. I know green algae is the usual suspect, but this stuff is definitely more brown/yellowish. Is that even a thing with pool algae?

I'm trying to figure out if I need to shock it like regular algae or if there's some other treatment I should be doing. Don't want to waste a bunch of chemicals if I'm treating the wrong problem!…more

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Filters Medium 45 minutes 107 👍 0

How Pool Cartridge Filters Work: Complete Troubleshooting

Spent another spring weekend dealing with my cartridge filter acting up again, and I'm done getting ripped off at the pool store instead of fixing it myself. The guys there always want to sell me expensive new cartridges or additives, but I feel like if I understood what's actually happening inside the filter, I could maintain it better.

What's the step-by-step process of how water gets cleaned as it passes through? I know there's some kind of fabric material involved, but I want to understand the nitty-gritty details of how particles get trapped and what size debris these things can actually handle.…more

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4.5 (18,700 reviews)

Filters Medium 2-3 hours (including soaking time) 107 👍 0

How to Deep Clean Pool Cartridge Filters - Complete Guide

Wondering which pool filter cleaning chemical will actually work as I stand here in the store aisle staring at endless bottles with my grimy cartridge filters. I understand there's a difference between routine rinsing and deep cleaning, but I want to make sure I'm following the correct protocol for thorough maintenance.

I've heard about using degreasers and acid treatments, but I need guidance on the proper sequence and methodology. What's the step-by-step process for deep cleaning cartridge filters, including how to determine when this level of cleaning is necessary versus simple hosing?…more

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Filters Easy 15 minutes 106 👍 0

How Long Pool Cartridge Filters Last: Complete Guide

Pulled another cartridge filter out of my pool after just one month and it's completely shot — this thing is burning through filters way faster than it should. They're expensive and I'm wondering if I'm being upsold.

How often do cartridge filters actually need to be replaced versus just cleaned? I've been hosing mine off when they get dirty, but I'm not sure when I should throw in the towel and buy new ones. What's the real lifespan I should expect?…more

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Filters Easy 30 minutes to 24 hours 99 👍 0

How to Clean Pool Filter Cartridge - Complete Guide 2024

Around 85°F outside my pool filter cartridges start getting that stubborn greasy buildup — works perfectly fine collecting just leaves and debris when it's cooler.

What's the best way to tell which cleaning method to use? And when should I just replace them instead of trying to clean again?…more

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Filters Medium 2-3 years typical lifespan 96 👍 0

How Long Do DE Pool Filter Grids Last? Complete Guide

Noticed my DE filter is passing powder back into the pool and the grids have been in there since we bought the house five years ago. Pool store says replace them all but that's $200+ in grids alone. How long are these things actually supposed to last before they need swapping out?…more

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