Cloudy in Deep End

[ssgumby]

My pool has always been crystal clear. I started using TFP methods from the beginning and run a salt cell.

Recently over the past few weeks we have had lots of storms. The storms caused the water to be cloudy and I cannot seem to get it clear. I don't think it looks green at all, just kind of hazy.

FC=10 (I cranked it up a bit knowing rains were coming typically keep it around 5-6).
CYA = 70
CC = not enough to register really so less then .5
I dont have my other numbers handy but they have all consistently been in normal range.




The shallow end looks pretty clear.



Any ideas on what is causing cloudy deepend? its very frustrating as I pride myself on how clear my water is.

 

[Azgirl71]

I would bring it to SLAM levels for a few days and keep the filter running 24/7 to clear it up.

Have you tried an OLCT.

 

[Texas Splash]

The storms themselves really shouldn't effect your water clarity. Sometimes something just gets in there even when our numbers don't rationalize it which is why the SLAM PASS criteria also includes "water clear". To be sure though, you could do an OCLT overnight. A drop of more than 1 ppm of FC during the hours of darkness would indicate you do indeed need to SLAM. Get it while it's still early.

- - - Updated - - -

I got in Juuuust a bit late on that one.

 

[ssgumby]

I will try OCLT tonight, but isnt the fact that CC is non-existent telling me there is no organics in the water needing broken down and using chlorine?

 

[Texas Splash]

Actually it's not the only indicator of a problem. There have been algae cases where the CC was zero.

 

[chem geek]

Could it be that the rain aerated the water and the pH is higher? With a vinyl liner pool you don't need CH so I wouldn't think your pool is saturated with calcium carbonate, but perhaps you could post a complete set of numbers (FC, CC, pH, TA, CYA, CH) to be sure.

I think it's more likely the storm put debris (pollen, seeds, leaves, bugs, fine dust or dirt, etc.) into the pool and that this is primarily a filtration issue. Since you have a sand filter you can see how to Add DE to a Sand Filter for finer filtration and then run the filter 24/7 and it should clear up.

 

[kimkats]

Actually it's not the only indicator of a problem. There have been algae cases where the CC was zero.

They could see the patches of algae on the wall! Wild but true.

Kim

 

[ssgumby]

Ill get my full numbers this evening. I too think its just dirty as I am using my robot and am getting fine silt off the floor.

 

[ssgumby]

Here are all my numbers.
FC=10 (I cranked it up a bit knowing rains were coming typically keep it around 5-6).
CYA = 70
CC = not enough to register really so less then .5
PH = 7.3
TA = 50
CH = 100

 

[kimkats]

Have you done a OCLT yet? THAT will tell you if it is dirt or something yucky. Here is a link to it.

Pool School - Perform the Overnight FC Loss Test (OCLT)

Kim

 

[ssgumby]

Doing OCLT tonight.

 

[ssgumby]

OCLT showed 0 drop in FC. Was actually surprised it was 0 drop, but thats what it was.

I turned off SWCG at 8PM, took a sample around 9:30 PM and tested and came out with a reading of 8.5. Got up at 5Am this morning, went out and tested and was still at 8.5.

So I assume this strictly leaves the issue to be the filter. I am thinking of doing a deep clean maybe.

 

[ssgumby]

So the issue was absolutely filtration.

I ran the pump 24 hrs per day since I first made this post. Yesterday, I added DE. Pressure jumped up over 25 PSI so backwashed and kept it running. Today woke up and the pool was crystal clear. Threw a quarter in and the kids identified heads, swam down and confirmed. I could see heads or tails but I could see it if it was 2 feet from me, much less 8 feet down.

Anyway, im planning the switch to DE filter. I think it will server me much better.

 

[tim5055]

Anyway, im planning the switch to DE filter. I think it will server me much better.

I wouldn't rush to switch. Sand filters do a very good job, and actually filter better once they get a little dirty. Don't be too quick to backwash, just wait for the pressure to rise 25% over clean.

 

[MarianParoo]

I add enough DE to my sand filter to raise psi by 1 after every backwash. Love my sand filter!

 

[kimkats]

I love my sand filter. To me it is the best of both worlds, sand and DE, because I can add DE when I want to but have the ease of use/cleaning with a sand filter.

Kim