Sudden Cloudy Water

[thabeezer]

I was testing my new PVC fountain to see if I could cool the water overnight and came home to a cloudy pool. Tested my water and got this:
FC 2
Ph 7.5
CC 0
TA 90
CYA 70

I added chlorine to get to FC 8. Any ideas what happened? Filter issue maybe? Thought I would ask before taking the filter apart

 

[samiguy]

I'm by no means a pro, but it sounds like the start of an algae bloom. FC looks to be a bit low for that CYA level. Let's see what the real pros have to say.

 

[BoDarville]

FC 2
Ph 7.5
CC 0
TA 90
CYA 70

The root cause for the cloudy pool is likely not your filter but the low FC of 2 for a CYA of 70. The cloudiness you are seeing is very likely algae assembling in preparation for a blooming party. At a CYA of 70, you want to keep FC between 5 and 10 ppm at all times. Would suggest doing a partial drain & refill of about 30-40% to get your CYA down to between 40 -50 ppm. This will require less chlorine for shocking and ongoing maintenance. After refilling, then run a series of tests to determine your new CYA and whether you need to go through the Shock Process (likely).

 

[jblizzle]

I agree, the FC got too low, so something may have taken root. Your FC should never be below 5ppm. And now you should raise it up to shock level (28ppm) and Perform the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to see if there really is something in the water.

If you pass and the water is still cloudy, then you can start to suspect the filter

 

[Richard320]

I'll bet if you check the CC reading it will be high. Get it up to shock level before it goes green.

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[Butterfly]

I'm by no means a pro, but it sounds like the start of an algae bloom. FC looks to be a bit low for that CYA level. Let's see what the real pros have to say.

Looks like everybody is saying the same thing you said

I agree with you, too

 

[thabeezer]

Shocking shall commence when this rain passes

 

[Butterfly]

Shocking shall commence when this rain passes

(Don't know your location/weather) Unless it's a deluge-can't-go-outside rain, go ahead and shock

 

[thabeezer]

Shocking shall commence when this rain passes

(Don't know your location/weather) Unless it's a deluge-can't-go-outside rain, go ahead and shock

In Houston, TX..bad hail and thunder rolling through

 

[samiguy]

What is your main source of chlorine?

 

[thabeezer]

Bleach

 

[samiguy]

should be easy to get the FC level up easily. Just use pool calc and follow closely. Going to take a bit to get to shock level and keep it there, but should stop/kill any organic from exploding. Keep in touch!!!!!

 

[thabeezer]

Water is looking much better this morning

 

[thabeezer]

I've been thinking about this a little bit. I have been using BBB for 2 years and never had a single problem. I test my water on Tuesday and Friday during swim season which has already started. I was in the pool the day before it turned cloudy and it was clear.

Is it possible that my aerator did something to the water for the algae bloom to get started? This is the most rain we have had since I have had the pool could that contribute to it?

 

[Butterfly]

Is it possible that my aerator did something to the water for the algae bloom to get started? This is the most rain we have had since I have had the pool could that contribute to it?

I doubt it. I think this is the culprit:

I test my water on Tuesday and Friday during swim season which has already started. I was in the pool the day before it turned cloudy and it was clear

Daily testing is recommended. Twice weekly, esp during swim season, is a real long shot.

 

[chem geek]

I think that 1) your low FC/CYA ratio meant you were on the edge of algae growth in the pool and 2) testing the PVC fountain put things over the edge possibly due to algae in the PVC pipe that got flushed into the pool further lowering the chlorine level and allowing the algae to grow faster than chlorine could kill it.

I only test and add chlorine twice a week in my pool, but that's because I have a mostly opaque safety cover and therefore have a low 1 ppm FC per day chlorine usage even with the pool used every day. Without such a cover and with 2 ppm FC or more daily chlorine usage, I would think that one couldn't go more than a couple of days without adding more chlorine. If usage is very stable, then one might test less frequently though there's always the risk that something happens and you don't know about it because you skipped a test.

 

[thabeezer]

Never thought about something possibly being in the PVC.

Testing everyday is overkill on my pool. I tested everyday when I first started to use BBB but have a good gauge on my chlorine usage.