Cloudy green water, water chemistry maintained, what happened?

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E

emj

0
Sep 21, 2015
2
Dallas, TX
[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]I'm new to this site, so I haven't been using your recommended system of water treatment. But, I've been a pool owner for 11 years, so I don't get "stumped" very often. But I am now.[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]I have cloudy green water, but the chemicals seem to be in balance. A day or two after cleaning the filter cartridges, the water began clouding. A few days later, it turned blue-green, and now it's just green. I first noticed the clouding on Sept 5, so it's been about 2 1/2 weeks since the problems started.[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]I tested the water, and it was normal, so I took a sample to the pool store for them to test. They said it was perfect. They recommended using fewer chlorine tablets in the floaters, and adding a clarifier, neither of which helped. [/COLOR]
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[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]Then I thought perhaps my filter cartridges were worn out and had developed holes. I replaced them, ran the filter for about 3 days, and saw no improvement. I took the filter apart again to inspect for damage, and couldn't find any. [/COLOR]
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[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]I shocked last night, and here's what my water test says today (Aquachek 7 test strips):[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]FC 5[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]CC 5[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]pH 7.8[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]TA 120[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]CA 250[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]CYA 100[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]Here is the pool store's analysis from a week ago:[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]Total chlorine: 10[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]Free chlorine: 10[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]pH 7.6[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]Alkalinity: 90[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]Hardness: no test[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]Cya: 50[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]Phosphate: no test[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]What do you think? Is it a problem with the filter, or the water? Or both?[/COLOR]
 
Welcome to TFP!

Algae is always a chemistry issue and never a filter issue. You aren't keeping enough chlorine in the water for your CYA level. You really need accurate test results to know the appropriate path. CYA is unlikely to change 50ppm in a week.
 
In addition to what JohnT mentioned, you might want to consider the following:
- The proper test kit (i.e. TF-100 or Taylor K-2006) is the foundation of your pool care. We've learned through personal experience that you cannot reply on pool store testing, test strips, or simple over-the-counter kits. They simply do not read Free Chlorine (FC) or Cyanuric Acid (CYA) levels accurately or to the high levels we need. If you do not have a TF-100 or Taylor K2006 test kit, it should be your #1 priority HERE.
- Green/cloudy water means you will need to "SLAM" (not shock) via Pool School - SLAM - Shock Level And Maintain. But you must have the proper test set noted above.
- Floaters, tablets, pucks, and bags-of-shock many times do more harm than good, especially to your CYA. Please see the TFP list of Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals.

Until you can get the proper test kit, simply consider adding about 1 gallon of regular liquid bleach to your water each day. Generic is fine from Wal-Mart of HEB. When you receive the proper test kit, post a full set of numbers and we can help you prepare for a "SLAM". Hope this helps. Welcome to TFP! :wave:
 
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