Calling all you experts... FC good, No CC, but cloudy/murky water... Please help

[bbrock]

6.25.15 1530 FC 11 -(added 19 oz 12.5% Chlor)

My only worry is that my CYA is higher than I have tested it at, twice. I know I need to be patient, but it was the following paragraph at the SLAM page (http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/125-slam-shock-level-and-maintain-shockingl) that got me concerned:

While SLAMing, the appearance of the water should improve each day, though perhaps only by a little. If you fail to see any improvement you might have a problem with your filter, or have a higher CYA level than you think, or bad circulation, or have some other more complex problem.

 

[bbrock]

Also read "Depending on what kind of filter you have, it can take the filter a week or more to completely clear up the water, even after all of the algae is dead."

This got me thinking, wouldn't my water clear up faster if I ran my VSP at a higher RPM, which would result in more GPM filtration?

 

[chem geek]

Yes, generally a faster flow rate for a faster turnver will clear a pool faster. Don't go so fast as to damage your filter, but if you stay within your filters limits you should be OK.

The comment about filters taking a week or more is mostly about sand filters. Cartridge filters filter more finely so faster and DE filters filter the fastest. This is why we often suggest adding DE to a sand filter if one needs finer faster filtration of smaller particles.

 

[bbrock]

6.26.15 1045 FC 11, CC 0.5 -(19 oz Chlor)
1330 FC 10.5, CC 0 -(29 oz Chlor)

Water is looking better. While the algae may be dead right now, I'll continue this for another day or so and then perform the OCLT.

FWIW, I ordered the Speedstir to see if that'll help and provide more accurate/reliable results, especially with my CH testing.

After all is said and done, I will probably raise my CYA to 40 as I want to prevent it from dropping to 20, as a level of 20 is not recommended (Pool School - Chlorine / CYA Chart). If and when I do raise it, I assume I should start treating my pool from the moment I add it as though it has a level of 40 to avoid any shortfall of chlorine and getting any problems.

 

[bbrock]

Got the Speedstir. Definitely dig it.

Last evening, I put the solar cover back on.

Water is clear. Latest testing:

6.29.15 2245 FC 12.5
6.30.15 0500 FC 11.5, CC 0

The OCLT is 1, CC 0, & water is clear. Thus, I meet all criteria to stop SLAMming, but should I keep going until the OCLT is 0 or 0.5? I ask b/c I wonder if I should do this for safety sake. If u look back through this thread, before I started SLAMming, you will see my OCLT was 0 once, and 0.5 when I repeated it. I just don't want to have stopped to soon.

 

[Texas Splash]

Congrats on passing the SLAM. Sure, if you wish to keep your FC at SLAM for one more day, it won't hurt anything. Many people let it ride a little longer just to be safe, especially after a long battle. Understand that while a CC of zero is ideal, sometimes it does fluctuate a bit which is why the .5 rule. It's good you are so vigilant. Nice work.

 

[bbrock]

Taking your advice Texas Splash and letting it go a couple of more days. Water is crazy clear. Love it. I will post some pics of my water now vs. before.

Thanks for everyone's help!!! I will definitely be even more vigilant regarding the adding of chlorine and testing of it. Don't want to lose anymore precious summer swim days I wil be adding chlor daily and either testing it daily or every other day. If every other day, I will simply add on the non-test day what I added the day previously.

 

[bbrock]

Forgot about getting some pics up. Here are the before pics. Will get to the now pics, but whatever the case it is crystal clear. I can make out the screws on the main drain cover.

6.22.15 1900
View attachment 40208

6.22.15 1900 - Where's the main drain? This is looking at it.
View attachment 40209

It's nice having it back to crystal clear. All in all lost about one week of swim time d/t the SLAM. Kept the filter going 24 h during it, and then cleaned the filters after. Tx again!.