New Pool, cloudy water - Help!

[tbyrne]

Hello - new pool owner here and new to TFP. Did purchase the test kit so do have results. We do know that the existing pump and filter is OLD and has been giving us issues since we moved in. The prior owners had done several patch jobs and we got a price to replace pump and filter and that is happening Monday. The pool guy has already been out to replace some clogged filters and fix some other items.

Issue is the pool is cloudy. When we moved in 5 weeks ago, it was clear, we went away for a long weekend and filter stopped working. We did get it fixed but have not been able to get it clear since. The suction in the filter is mediocre at best. The pool does have a bottom vacuum system which has been working but due to the filter being down for a few days, there was some extra debris and we do not have enough suction coming through to vacuum the remaining up.

FC - 2.5
CC - 1
TA - 250 - this is high, adjust?
CH - 300, color was pink not red.
CYA - 50

Suggestions would be appreciated!T Thank you in advance!

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum! :handshake:

Be sure you follow the [FC/CYA][/FC/CYA] for your target FC. I would suggest doing a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test tonight with cloudy water. If your circulation is low you may need to backwash your sand filter. What is the pressure now versus the clean pressure?

I suggest you read Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and consider reviewing the entire Trouble Free Pool School book.

 

[Richard320]

Hello - new pool owner here and new to TFP.

Welcome!

Did purchase the test kit so do have results.

Outstanding!

We do know that the existing pump and filter is OLD and has been giving us issues since we moved in. The prior owners had done several patch jobs and we got a price to replace pump and filter and that is happening Monday. The pool guy has already been out to replace some clogged filters and fix some other items.

Issue is the pool is cloudy. When we moved in 5 weeks ago, it was clear, we went away for a long weekend and filter stopped working. We did get it fixed but have not been able to get it clear since. The suction in the filter is mediocre at best. The pool does have a bottom vacuum system which has been working but due to the filter being down for a few days, there was some extra debris and we do not have enough suction coming through to vacuum the remaining up.

FC - 2.5
CC - 1
TA - 250 - this is high, adjust?

Possibly, and no. What is more likely is that you have static buildup on the tip of the R-009 reagent, which makes the drops smaller, which makes you count higher, which makes you think the TA is higher than it is. So wipe the tip off with a damp paper towel before each drop when you repeat the test and see if it improves. You'll need an accurate TA test to adjust pH -- which I don't see listed.

CH - 300, color was pink not red.

Yeah, Taylor ought to be clearer about that. It should have started pinkish and transitioned to sky blue.

CYA - 50

Suggestions would be appreciated!T Thank you in advance!

Today, check and adjust the pH as needed and then jack the FC up to 20ish using bleach. Will it clear the pool? Probably not. But it will certainly put the brakes on an algae bloom, which is probably what's about to happen. You should also brush every inch of the pool today. It doesn't have to be in one marathon crippling session. Just brush til you feel tired and go have a beer or something. Brushing will do two things: mix the water well, which may be lacking with your poor circulation; break up the biofilm protecting any algae you may have. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if things look worse after you brush. So don't panic.

Once the filter and pump are repaired/replaced on Monday, then you can get serious and perform the SLAM Process.

 

[tbyrne]

I will do - thank you! The filter's insides were completely taken apart and washed yesterday where they found several holes in the filter.

I have read the pages you suggested - still just a little overwhelmed! Will do the Overnight chlorine test tonight. The pressure on the pump is reading 10 and on the filer 30. I pointed it out to the pool guy and he said - Don't touch anything until I come back on Monday and I will show you exactly what you need to do on the new stuff.

- - - Updated - - -

Welp when I went back and followed the directions... it was 160 not 250. Thanks for the catch. I missed PH above but it is smack in the middle at 7.4.

I will defer to my husband to brush the pool and I will sit with a cold glass of wine and watch??? Think that will work?!?! Haha!

Will report back on Monday. Honestly the pool looks clearer even this afternoon compared to yesterday as it did need to be backwashed. More information to come!