still cloudy after 3 days

[dyipoolmom]

Its been 3 days and my pool still looks the same. I have the recommended test kit. My numbers have been the same every test, once a day. I have not been able to test more than that.

I wash the filter once a day, twice if I can. Back wash many many times. Sweep once or twice daily.

FC 1.5
PH 7.2
Alkaline 100
CH 470
CYA 60

The calculator said 4 gal 6% bleach, I did that Saturday, Sunday I had the same numbers so I put 6 gal of bleach in, today its exactly the same. I cant vacuum because there is not enough pressure. The pump goes right up to 24 and the water barley moves through.

I am so frustrated

thanks

 

[Richard320]

This all sounds normal from the look of that pool.

It can be very discouraging. But take heart: now that you're in control of the chemistry, you may never have to go through this again.

 

[dyipoolmom]

This all sounds normal from the look of that pool.

It can be very discouraging. But take heart: now that you're in control of the chemistry, you may never have to go through this again.

thank you so much, I am to the point of tears but you made me feel better. I am on my way out to get more bleach. Ill check the numbers again later.

 

[zea3]

How often are you adding bleach? If you are slamming the pool you should be testing and dosing the pool every 2 hours. A DE filter will clog fairly quickly when the pool is dirty. You can try running the filter on recirculate while you slam and vacuum the dead algae to waste once a day. You will end up replacing some of the water. When it is a little clearer you can start filtering again.

 

[Catanzaro]

I cant vacuum because there is not enough pressure. The pump goes right up to 24 and the water barley moves through.

Was your pool full of algae? Be patient and follow the SLAM procedure and you will not be disappointed. What concerns me is that you can not vacuum and the pressure and water barely move! Can you describe your valves, skimmers, main drains, returns, etc. Maybe it is a matter of moving a few valves.

 

[dyipoolmom]

How often are you adding bleach? If you are slamming the pool you should be testing and dosing the pool every 2 hours. A DE filter will clog fairly quickly when the pool is dirty. You can try running the filter on recirculate while you slam and vacuum the dead algae to waste once a day. You will end up replacing some of the water. When it is a little clearer you can start filtering again.

Adding 6 gal a day. I cant always test that often though.

- - - Updated - - -

Was your pool full of algae? Be patient and follow the SLAM procedure and you will not be disappointed. What concerns me is that you can not vacuum and the pressure and water barely move! Can you describe your valves, skimmers, main drains, returns, etc. Maybe it is a matter of moving a few valves.

it was green and gross, but got to turquoise pretty quick now its constant milky turquoise
2 jets, main skimmer at bottom of pool, side skimmer. Not sure what else. I can take a picture of the valve

 

[Catanzaro]

it was green and gross, but got to turquoise pretty quick now its constant milky turquoise

This is usually the norm. At this point, it will take time for the filter and the SLAM process to work. It took my friend 3 weeks. He was so discouraged, but now sending me pictures every week how clear his pool is. It is best to take a picture of the same spot (steps usually), each day so you can see your progress. In addition, keep good records. Test daily at around the same time. You will find that as time passes, you will be adding less bleach. Keeping good records is a must.

2 jets, main skimmer at bottom of pool, side skimmer. Not sure what else. I can take a picture of the valve

Unless your filter is undersized or clogged, your piping is small (1"), your pump is undersized, and the length of the plumbing is really long, you should be getting proper suction. Another item is the length of the hose. Only use the length of what you need. The original hose I had was close to 45 feet, maybe longer. Real PIA to work with. I ordered a 25 foot and also have a 30 foot (wrong order but company let me keep). All these could play a factor in losing suction.

I ran an additional 35 feet of garden hose with a coupling and the pressure washer did not work. Removed the coupling and worked fine. This shows how a small minor set back could affect everything. Same in the pool.

Shut off your main drain as you only have one skimmer. Prime the hose and put your hand over the end to see if you have suction. Also, take a small cotton T-shirt (white) about 4" * 4" and drop it in the skimmer and see how long before it arrives in the pump basket. Do not worry as the chlorine will consume the cotton if for some reason it bypasses the pump basket. You will have an idea of the suction. IMO, the suction should feel like a regular vacuum cleaner at home.

 

[dyipoolmom]

This year is the first time I have lost suction after a while. I have a whole new fin system. I can not shut off my main drain, there is only one valve system for the whole thing. I guess I could put a plug in the hole ?

Good idea. I will let the drain suck up the cloth

 

[Catanzaro]

I guess I could put a plug in the hole ?

Unless the piping is configured to close off the main drain manually, you CAN NOT (I REPEAT), you CAN NOT just plug the main drain as you will loose suction in both the bottom drain and skimmer. Can you please post pictures of the equipment pad and plumbing from all different angles. Thank you.

 

[dyipoolmom]

Ok I wont do that. Ill get you some pictures

 

[Catanzaro]

Please get some pictures. Also, adding 6 gallons of 6% bleach seems excessive, but maybe not. Have you check the print on the bottles? Make sure the label states that is not older than a few months. The gallons may have a Julian date. In addition, where are you purchasing your bleach? Wal-Mart regular bleach 8.25% may be your best bet as it is always fresh.

Some of us use Odd Lot for the 12.5% bleach at $3 a gallon and it is very fresh.

 

[dyipoolmom]

todays numbers

FC 7.6
CC 1
PH 7.4
Alkaline 130
CYA 50

I get the bleach at S%S the Clorox brand stated 6% You think I should use a higher %?

 

[spinPHD]

The higher percentage the less jugs you have to haul around. It's really all about best bang for the buck, and I find 10%-12% liquid chlorine to be a better deal in my area. Clorox brand is usually most expensive option.

As for your latest numbers, you're FC should be at SLAM level which is 20. You should try to hold it at that level as much as you can until SLAM is over.

 

[Catanzaro]

Whoever put together your plumbing joined both the skimmer and main drain together. I want you to do one thing. Check your skimmer basket to see if there are 2 ports open. The main drain may be at the skimmer. if so, you can actually close off the main drain with a black rubber plug and this will create more suction when vacuuming. If not, then the only other option besides trying to reconfigure the plumbing to have the main drain separate from the skimmer is to purchase a robot to vacuum your pool. The vacuums (electric) cost between $500 and $1,500 and the battery powered one's, which works not as well are between $100 and $300.

It is hard to tell because I do not know what is underneath. If you look at my set up, the right side is the suction (Skimmers on right and main drain on left. I can shut the main drain off while vacuuming or the other skimmer to create extra suction) If both were shut off, I can barely move the vacuum. The left side is the returns and waterfall (which is only a closed) line.

 

[dyipoolmom]

The higher percentage the less jugs you have to haul around. It's really all about best bang for the buck, and I find 10%-12% liquid chlorine to be a better deal in my area. Clorox brand is usually most expensive option.

As for your latest numbers, you're FC should be at SLAM level which is 20. You should try to hold it at that level as much as you can until SLAM is over.

understand.


I bought the house with this set up so I am stuck with it. Yes the main drain at the bottom comes up to where the skimmer basket is so I can put a plug into it.

 

[Richard320]

understand.


I bought the house with this set up so I am stuck with it. Yes the main drain at the bottom comes up to where the skimmer basket is so I can put a plug into it.

Sounds like you're missing the diverter valve, or you have it somewhere but didn't know what it was.

Look for something like this amidst all the pool junk

Here's how it works.

 

[Catanzaro]

Thanks Richard! Dawned on me at the last minute after I saw the plumbing. Hopefully she has the diverter valve. If not, a plug will be temporary until she orders the valve.

 

[dyipoolmom]

Sounds like you're missing the diverter valve, or you have it somewhere but didn't know what it was.

Look for something like this amidst all the pool junk

Son of a gun!! I do have something like that !! Ugh, It looks more like a submarine with a flap !!!

 

[Catanzaro]

The valve should fit like a glove. Close off the main drain and divert all the suction to the skimmer so you can vacuum properly. Again, if for some reason the unit is not working properly, the black plug will be a temporary fix until you can get a new one.

Richard's experience helps this forum a lot! Tells us how everything is working.

 

[dyipoolmom]

you guys are such a HUUUUGE help !!! Thank you so much. Its rainy and thunderstorms here today so I don't know how much Ill get done. Def want to get more bleach in the pool if nothing else.