Just had a pool built, opened it about two weeks ago.
Water was very clear at first, then the chlorine level started to get low (not sure exactly how low since at the time I was using builder-provided test strips). So I shocked with Calcium Hypochlorite. Immediately the water became cloudy and has remained that way since.
I have, after spending hours per day reading the site over the last week:
- Purchased a Taylor K-2006 test kit
- Started the process of getting CYA to the 30-50 range (builder did not add any, just left me with dichlor pucks)
- Decided that when CYA gets to that range I will stop using stabilized chlorine in favor of bleach
- Started the process of muriatic acid/aeration to lower TA
The pool is slowly starting to clear again, chlorine levels have remained stable with the use of the dichlor in the automatic feeder and supplemental bleach if it starts to creep lower.
My main problem is that there is now a white powdery substance settling on the bottom of the pool that I can't identify. When people swim it gets stirred up and the water gets cloudy, so I try to vacuum it up whenever I see it. Am I on the right track to getting my clear water back again?!
Current test results
---------------------
Free chlorine: 4.2
Combined chlorine: 0
pH: 7.2
TA: 275
CYA: ~20 (that's an estimate, it's not quite 30 yet)
Calcium Hardness: 260
Water was very clear at first, then the chlorine level started to get low (not sure exactly how low since at the time I was using builder-provided test strips). So I shocked with Calcium Hypochlorite. Immediately the water became cloudy and has remained that way since.
I have, after spending hours per day reading the site over the last week:
- Purchased a Taylor K-2006 test kit
- Started the process of getting CYA to the 30-50 range (builder did not add any, just left me with dichlor pucks)
- Decided that when CYA gets to that range I will stop using stabilized chlorine in favor of bleach
- Started the process of muriatic acid/aeration to lower TA
The pool is slowly starting to clear again, chlorine levels have remained stable with the use of the dichlor in the automatic feeder and supplemental bleach if it starts to creep lower.
My main problem is that there is now a white powdery substance settling on the bottom of the pool that I can't identify. When people swim it gets stirred up and the water gets cloudy, so I try to vacuum it up whenever I see it. Am I on the right track to getting my clear water back again?!
Current test results
---------------------
Free chlorine: 4.2
Combined chlorine: 0
pH: 7.2
TA: 275
CYA: ~20 (that's an estimate, it's not quite 30 yet)
Calcium Hardness: 260