Cloudy water - Just need a gut check

[billfred]

First summer with pool. Opened crystal clear in April. Good all season.

Just last night started getting cloudy. I noticed my chlorine was low (almost zero). I chlorinate like the previous owner, pucks in the filter basket (I know, there’s debate on this method). I neglected to put a new puck in for a couple days.

I tested with my TF 100 kit today, my numbers are below. I added liquid bleach per the calculator (2.5 gal), put the safety cover back on and kept the pump running

I figured I wasn’t going to mess with any stabilizer or anything else right now, just shock it to get the FC back up.

Does this all sound correct?

FC = 1 (if that)
CC = 0
CYA = 30
CH = 500
TA= 55
pH = 6.8

 

[JoeSelf]

Your minimum from this chart Pool School - Chlorine / CYA Chart is 2. Anything below is reason for concern. I would raise levels to at least above target. How much do you lose daily?

You could do an OCLT to know for sure but I believe a Pool School - SLAM - Shock Level And Maintain is in order.

 

[billfred]

Yep, I'm starting the SLAM process. I'm keeping the cover on which should help.

 

[billfred]

Also, looks like I should leave the cover off during the SLAM process?

 

[JoeSelf]

yes, allows the CCs to burn off. and while its off, good time to clean the cover.

 

[pooldv]

It is important to maintain PH between 7.2 and 7.8.

 

[billfred]

OK, I'll add some Borax to bump up the pH.

I thought I read not to mess with pH adjustments during SLAM. My FC is now about 14.5. My pH is still reading 6.8.

 

[pooldv]

It is true that the PH test is invalid when FC is above 10 ppm.

The test results in post #1 was 6.8 with FC 0

Enter your test results in Poolmath and target PH of 7.2.

Adjusting PH to 7.2 is one of the prerequisites of starting a SLAM. It is important to follow all of the steps in the SLAM process. More here, SLAM Process