New Pool - Cloudy Water

[Texas Splash]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

The only other thing that comes to mind if the sand is ruled out is that perhaps at some point early on after the initial fill, when the FC dropped once or twice, it was enough to let some organics settle and try to grow. That can certainly make the water cloudy as well. So if you rule-out everything else, you might simply have to take the FC to SLAM level anyways. Not the worse thing, other than some extra bleach. But if you have to do it, at least you'll know there's not chance of algae. Now you may ask ... "But I passed the OCLT?" And while the OCLT is looked upon as the standard for ruling-out algae, there can be unusual cases where the FC just doesn't drop that fast which is why for a SLAM there are 3 criteria and not just one (OCLT). Brand new pool, new water, and you would think it should be pristine, but even new water can be finicky.

 

[Jbro]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

Ok I'll keep the idea of a SLAM in mind. Although I don't believe we've tested below FC 1.4 and that was without any CYA (or very minimal CYA from the granular shock) so that isn't as low as it would be now with CYA at 50.

However, my first several tests were with a dropper style color comparison test that came with the pool so maybe the tests were not accurate. This was only for a few days until my good kit got delivered.

 

[Jbro]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

Couple more pics with the sun overhead now...



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The pic looking straight down seems to show the sediment that is settling out, unless it's just an artifact of the picture. (I can't see that with the naked eye but my eyes are bad.)

The pic of the ladder is a good representative of how it looks to me. It gets worse after we swim.

My next step will be to let it settle overnight and then vacuum to waste tomorrow morning. Ooops, also have to call the store to ask about the sand. Will do that now.

 

[Texas Splash]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

The ladder pic actually looks more like a pool that's at the tail-end of a SLAM from algae - or just started. So if nothing else seems to make sense, I'd crank it up and let the FC do it's job. You can still swim during a SLAM as long as the FC doesn't exceed the SLAM/shock value for your current CYA.

 

[Jbro]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

The only thing is it's been cloudy like this since the moment I turned the filter on and blew cloudy sediment into the pool from the filter sand. I just took another pic of the bottom and I can clearly see what looks like sand. Turned my pump off to settle the surface and I can see it with the naked eye. I think that sand keeps getting kicked up every time we swim, and then for some reason it's not getting cleared by the filter and eventually settles. We think things are improving, and then swim and it's all cloudy again.

 

[Texas Splash]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

Hummmm. Interesting. Well, I suppose it's one of 3 things: algae that's white from the chlorine, the sand that was used, or perhaps the DE kicking back out that was added before? But if it's sand it should feel gritty. If not, then it's one of the other two. Since your pool is new, let me ask this one …… when the filter was set-up and filled with sand, was water added first about 1 ft or so up? The water helps cushion the blow (weight) of the sand when dumped inside. With no water, it's possible a lateral got damaged or separate from its hub/center standpipe. Just a thought. But then again …. if it is sand, the texture should be a giveaway.

 

[Jbro]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

I just talked to the lady at the pool place. The sand provided is called Zeosand. Before I even described my issues, she said, "when you put it into the filter you need to backwash for a good long time before moving to the filter setting to remove the fine particles". Well, unfortunately the installer said once the pool was filled to just turn it on.

She recommended shutting the filter off overnight and then vacuuming to waste tomorrow morning. She was not surprised at all when I told her the problems I've been having.

 

[Texas Splash]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

I hope that does the trick for you tomorrow. Good luck!

 

[Jbro]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

Thank you!

I actually decided to quit work a little early today and just did a vacuum to waste. Think I got a good bit out but this is going to take several efforts as I lost too much water to finish more than about a quarter of the pool floor. And of course some of it kicked up into suspension as I vacuumed. Glad I bought a good test kit as I'm going to end up having to adjust the chemicals several times before I get this worked out.

 

[Jbro]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

I guess if I look at things positively, this issue helped me find the TFP forum and likely saved me countless hours of future frustration plus a big bag of money.

 

[Texas Splash]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

I guess if I look at things positively, this issue helped me find the TFP forum and likely saved me countless hours of future frustration plus a big bag of money.

Absolutely! We all made it here for one reason or another.

 

[Jbro]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

The more I read about Zeosand, the more I'm thinking about swapping it out for regular sand. This post describes almost the same problem I'm having: Cloudy water and sediment with Zeosand

Vacuumed a couple of times today, guess I'll know tomorrow if I made any progress.

 

[Texas Splash]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

The more I read about Zeosand, the more I'm thinking about swapping it out for regular sand.

Yeah, I almost said something yesterday, but didn't want to bum you out too badly with such a new set-up. But at some point I suspect it will be a good move.

 

[Revlus]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

After reading the entire thread... sure sounds like what I had. The "dust" in the sand settled and needed to be carefully vacuumed out to waste.

If you jump in.... can you feel it? Gritty like sand?? or just feel nothing? (I felt nothing)

Anyhow, worth a try I think to keep going as you are with the vacuuming. I had added some new sand and didn't rinse enough. so while my issue wasn't as bad as yours, I certainly got the collection of that fine powder in some areas. Vacuum to waste and it was gone and life is good.

For what its worth... THIS VACUUM is what I used... and it doesn't stir things up too much and does a great job sucking most things up except perhaps larger leaves.

 

[Jbro]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

@ Texas Splash

I have to plug the pool return and skimmer hole anyway to disconnect the filter as the installer didn't put teflon tape on any of the filter fittings and they keep loosening. This let's air into the pump every time the pump is off for any period of time. Might as well swap out the sand when I do this.

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After reading the entire thread... sure sounds like what I had. The "dust" in the sand settled and needed to be carefully vacuumed out to waste.

If you jump in.... can you feel it? Gritty like sand?? or just feel nothing? (I felt nothing)

Anyhow, worth a try I think to keep going as you are with the vacuuming. I had added some new sand and didn't rinse enough. so while my issue wasn't as bad as yours, I certainly got the collection of that fine powder in some areas. Vacuum to waste and it was gone and life is good.

For what its worth... THIS VACUUM is what I used... and it doesn't stir things up too much and does a great job sucking most things up except perhaps larger leaves.

@ Revlus

We don't feel anything either.

Thanks for the heads up on the vacuum. My vacuum right now has bristles instead of wheels and I think I might just be pushing the stuff around and not picking up too much.

 

[Jbro]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

I've decided to make the switch to regular sand. I want to gather everything I need and do the job next weekend. Any tips on how to do this with as little trouble as possible? Should I post in one of the other sub-forums? (I know nothing, not even how much sand I need or what kind of sand to purchase.)

 

[Jbro]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

I have a new set-up and have had nothing but trouble with the Zeosand which was provided with my kit so I've decided to replace it. I was wondering if there are any good tips to help this go smoothly?

So far from what I can tell:

* I need 100 pounds of filter sand. Any tips for the best sand excluding any fancy stuff like Zeosand?
* I need to get a plug for the skimmer and a plug for the return. Are the plugs all standard sizes or do I need to measure?
* Looks like once I have the filter disconnected, I can drain the water by removing the bottom drain plug. Will sand come out this way as well?
* What is the best way to get all the Zeosand out? Do I dump/scoop from the top or maybe rinse it all out the drain plug?
* The installer didn't use teflon tape or anything at all on the plastic connection fittings and these keep loosening and leaking and/or introducing air into the system. I want to fix this now as well -- What should I use?
* I know (now) that I need to half fill the filter with water before dumping in the new sand. Then I need to backflush/rinse the new sand until it runs clear before flipping it to filter mode.

Anything else I need to know before I start?

Thank you in advance.

 

[JimMarshall]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

What’s the exact model of your filter? You’re going to want to buy #20 silica sand.

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Can you post a picture of your equipment pad

 

[Jbro]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

My only local option right now is Mystic White II pool filter sand which is silica but doesn't seem to say the size. Filter is Hayward ProSeries model is S166T. I'll have a pic up in 10 minutes or so.

 

[Jbro]

Re: New Pool - Cloudy Water

The bags say 49/20 which I think means 49mm size 20???