Hi,
Long time reader first time poster. I finally have an issue I can't seem to figure out after hours and days (literally) searching this forum and others and trying almost everything I can think of.
First, the basics
16ft Vynl Intex
5,500 gal (approx)
SWG with cartridge Filter (1,500 gal/hr)
Lamotte ColorQ 2056 testing kit
The background:
3 weeks ago I did my weekly maintenance - my pool was crystal clear and a very nice shade of blue my numbers were:
FC: 7.1
TC: 7.1
PH: 7.4
ALK: 80
CH: 150
CYA: 20
Based on this, I went to increase my CH and ALK. Looking back I probably added too much CH in one shot: 64oz (Calcium Chloride). I pre-diluted but I do remember it frothing which I thought was unusual.
Once I dumped that in, I also pre-diluted and added Sodium Bicarbonate (alk increaser): 16oz
I realize my CYA was low but I have yet to see it prove itself as a worth while ingredient with a SWG that is producing chlorine every night - this is where I may be mistaken?
I then ran the pump all night (10hrs)
When I woke up, the pool was milky. Stuck hand in and could hardly see hand 4inches below the water.
So, I tested:
FC: 7.0
TC: 7.0
PH: 7.6
ALK: 123
CH: 200
CYA: 20
This began the three week period of struggling to clear the cloudy water.
In the following order I tried:
1) reducing PH to 7.4
2) Running pump for 72 hours, changing cartridge filter for new one or washing off existing one every 12 hours
3) pool clarifier added
4) Turning pump off for 24 hours - pool cleared but left white chemical looking stuff at bottom - went to vacuum and the return jet was returning white clouds again
5) Shocked Pool twice in a row
6) removing 1/8th of the pool water and replacing it - the water that came out left white chalky dry substance on my blacktop driveway when the water evaporated.
7) continued running pump and back washing cartridges. There were period where cartridges were full of milky water and other times when they werent.
During the three week period the only times the pool became somewhat transparent was when whatever was in the water settled to the bottom. a white checmically looking substance (super fine..like dust) Then was stirred back up into a cloud when I went to vacuum.
I read about "Vacuum to waste" but with an intex filter system and a very long haul from my pool to a place where draining that much water quickly wasnt going to cause damage preventing this option from being feasible. I dont think my pump would handle pushing water through a garden hose (which when connecting two together DOES reach a good area but I use the siphon method to drain pool).
Readings as of this writing:
FC: 6.4 (I had turned SWG down a bit...)
TC: 6.4
PH: 7.6
ALK: 120
CH: 186
CYA: 18
Any thoughts? Am I going to have to drain the pool or figure out a way to vacuum to waste? At that point I just might drain the pool and close it for the season (Live in North East) which would be a shame..
Long time reader first time poster. I finally have an issue I can't seem to figure out after hours and days (literally) searching this forum and others and trying almost everything I can think of.
First, the basics
16ft Vynl Intex
5,500 gal (approx)
SWG with cartridge Filter (1,500 gal/hr)
Lamotte ColorQ 2056 testing kit
The background:
3 weeks ago I did my weekly maintenance - my pool was crystal clear and a very nice shade of blue my numbers were:
FC: 7.1
TC: 7.1
PH: 7.4
ALK: 80
CH: 150
CYA: 20
Based on this, I went to increase my CH and ALK. Looking back I probably added too much CH in one shot: 64oz (Calcium Chloride). I pre-diluted but I do remember it frothing which I thought was unusual.
Once I dumped that in, I also pre-diluted and added Sodium Bicarbonate (alk increaser): 16oz
I realize my CYA was low but I have yet to see it prove itself as a worth while ingredient with a SWG that is producing chlorine every night - this is where I may be mistaken?
I then ran the pump all night (10hrs)
When I woke up, the pool was milky. Stuck hand in and could hardly see hand 4inches below the water.
So, I tested:
FC: 7.0
TC: 7.0
PH: 7.6
ALK: 123
CH: 200
CYA: 20
This began the three week period of struggling to clear the cloudy water.
In the following order I tried:
1) reducing PH to 7.4
2) Running pump for 72 hours, changing cartridge filter for new one or washing off existing one every 12 hours
3) pool clarifier added
4) Turning pump off for 24 hours - pool cleared but left white chemical looking stuff at bottom - went to vacuum and the return jet was returning white clouds again
5) Shocked Pool twice in a row
6) removing 1/8th of the pool water and replacing it - the water that came out left white chalky dry substance on my blacktop driveway when the water evaporated.
7) continued running pump and back washing cartridges. There were period where cartridges were full of milky water and other times when they werent.
During the three week period the only times the pool became somewhat transparent was when whatever was in the water settled to the bottom. a white checmically looking substance (super fine..like dust) Then was stirred back up into a cloud when I went to vacuum.
I read about "Vacuum to waste" but with an intex filter system and a very long haul from my pool to a place where draining that much water quickly wasnt going to cause damage preventing this option from being feasible. I dont think my pump would handle pushing water through a garden hose (which when connecting two together DOES reach a good area but I use the siphon method to drain pool).
Readings as of this writing:
FC: 6.4 (I had turned SWG down a bit...)
TC: 6.4
PH: 7.6
ALK: 120
CH: 186
CYA: 18
Any thoughts? Am I going to have to drain the pool or figure out a way to vacuum to waste? At that point I just might drain the pool and close it for the season (Live in North East) which would be a shame..
