HELP - I screwed up

[MParello]

Hello all, Thanks for the great site, it has worked wonderful... Until I messed up.

I put a new head on my sand filter (old spider gasket leaking) and I switched the pump and return lines! Well when i started it up, sand and YUCK came into my beautifully clean pool. I stopped it and fixed my mistake.

Now I still have a pool filled with cloudy yuck water, I have been filtering for over 24 hours and brought my FC up over 4 PPM just so I didn't get an algae bloom.

How do I clear up the water? (all other levels were normal as of this morning)

Thanks in advance,
Michael

 

[pwrstrk]

You can add some DE to your filter to help clear it up.
Adding DE To A Sand Filter
Have you vacuumed up the sand ? ?

 

[FamilyGuy]

I would let it settle to the bottom and vac it up

 

[MParello]

Thanks guys, This is my first "Real Pool". I bought it used this spring and set everything up myself. What a learning curve! The water is finally getting warm enough to swim in and I did this. Do you think it is still OK to swim in? How do you check for that?

Thanks again,
Michael

 

[pwrstrk]

As long as you can see the bottom of the pool you can swim.
Safety reasons. ?

 

[tim5055]

Welcome to TFP..

You say you are keeping the FC above 4ppm, but what is the CYA? Depending on CYA 4 could be too high or too low. Are you using a recommended test kit, other kit or pool store testing.

 

[MParello]

I have clear water again! I still have some sand/silt on the bottom, but I have been vacuuming every 4 hours or so and have picked up 85-90% worth.

My CYA is 50. I have my FC at 3 normally.

Thank you all. I will also try the DE in my filter when I get back to the store.

 

[pwrstrk]

You should bump your CYA level up a bit to 70-80 for your SWG. ?

 

[timerguy]

I don't see any text results other than your FC was >4 yesterday and your cya is 50 today and no mention at how you arrived at those results. If you don't already have one , you really need to get an adequate test kit. We recommend either the tf-100 or the Taylor k-2006. Either of which can be ordered at tftestkits.net. Provide a full set of your test results when you can.

 

[MParello]

I know that I need the tf-100. I have been doing the tests myself with the pool store brand test kit. I bought it beforei found this wonderful site, but I could not convince my wife to spend another $$$ for a test kit when I already have one. I will get it before opening next year.

 

[pwrstrk]

Think of the TF100 as an investment for your pool. In the long run it will save you money. ?