Cloudy pool, added floc last night

[Junesb]

I added floc, let it sit overnight with pump off. I am vacuuming to waste now. This was suggested by a local mom n pop pool shop. But I floced last Friday and did the same. My water levels are good except chlorine is low. Should I shock with pump on filter after done vacuuming? I am using the chlorine tabs in this duck floater.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Oh I'm sorry to hear that... we don't ever recommend the use of FLOC.
It can really gum up your filter if it gets in there.

We use liquid chlorine to kill algae, in a process called a SLAM Process. Perhaps you've read about it before?

How big is your pool? It might be easier just to empty the pool (almost) and refill?

Maddie

 

[Junesb]

21' round agp. I can feel strong pressure at the return when in filter mode. I can see about 1 foot down then nothing. I brushed the wall and vacuumed twice this morning. Been vacuuming every am. I am vacuuming up the little round green things from the trees. I am in a twin townehome and my neighbors branches are right above my pool, covering half the pool. I thought I might drain it too. Should I added a couple bags of shock and let the filter run?

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Should I added a couple bags of shock and let the filter run?

Uh, no.
Just adding a couple of bags of "shock" may just be complicating your problem. Does it have CYA in it? If so you probably are too high in CYA. If it has calcium in it, well, vinyl pools don't *need* calcium.... so why not just use liquid chlorine? No unwanted side ingredients, y'know?

Please review this: ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

WHY did you add FLOC?? What exactly is wrong with your pool?

Do you have one of our recommended test kits yet? How about some test result numbers?

 

[Junesb]

This local pool supply store told me to floc it so it pushes dead algea to the bottom, then put pump on recircilulate for 4 hours. Then turn off pump 12 hours, then vacuum. It made sense at the time. I don't have a test kit. I'll order one now. My water test yesterday was this:

Calcium hardness - 180
Total chlorine - 3
Free chlorine - 3
pH - 7.6
Alkalinity - 130
Stabilizer - 25

While I wait for the test kit, what should I do in the meantime?

 

[Junesb]

Which test kit should I get?

 

[kimkats]

Test kit=TF-100 XL as I am worried you are fighting more algae. Look in my siggy below for the link to where to buy it.

Now take out the cartridge in your filter and clean it. Take a pic so we can see what it looks like.

Can you please fill in your signature? Go to your user name at the top right, click on it, click signature. Put in What kind of pool (above or in ground, plaster or vinyl or fiberglass), what size in gals, what kind of filter ( cartridge, sand, DE) and any special features you have.

You will need to add liquid chlorine but I am not sure how much yet. I will wait until I see your pool size.

 

[justinc]

When Kim says use liquid chlorine, please review How to Chlorinate Your Pool - Trouble Free Pool

Liquid chlorine is available from big box stores (Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards) and some pool stores. You can also alternately use regular household bleach (no Clorox, no "splash free" or "low splash", and no scents!). You are looking for the active ingredient sodium hypochlorite (household bleach is 6%, products designed for pool use are usually 10 or 12%).

 

[Junesb]

Kim, Justin -

I have Bleach - it is 8.25% sodium hypochlorite. Is this ok? I also ordered the TF-100 XL kit. Shipping says 1-4 days. I didn't see an overnight request, which I would prefer. It gave me 2 options - Free shipping USPS or USPS ground and another 12$ option. I chose free. Thank you for your help. I added my pool details in my sig.
how much bleach should I add? Do I add it to the skimmer or into the pool?

 

[kimkats]

So long as the bleach is PLAIN bleach with out any pretty smells and such it will work purrfect.

Pour in about 1/2 a jug each day with the pump running. Pour it slowly in front of the return. Then brush the whole pool to get is really mixed in.

Kim

 

[YippeeSkippy]

8.25% is perfect...... not many are still that strong. Walmart sells 10% liquid chlorine in the pool section, and some pool stores sell liquid chlorine too.
Just check the date codes stamped on the jugs to make sure it's fresh. Check it by Julian Date.

Maddie

 

[Junesb]

Ok I only have 2 pints now, I will get more. Can I add what I have now then go to the store in a couple hours and get more?

 

[justinc]

Ok I only have 2 pints now, I will get more. Can I add what I have now then go to the store in a couple hours and get more?

You can but keep in mind whatever is making your pool cloudy is gonna eat that bleach up quick so you will have to replenish often... maybe wait until you have a good supply (several gallons)

 

[Junesb]

Ok. How many Oz is a 1/2 jug each day? I read 3.5 quarts a day for 11,000 gallon pool.

 

[justinc]

Ok. How many Oz is a 1/2 jug each day? I read 3.5 quarts a day for 11,000 gallon pool.

Each gallon is 128 oz. 1/2 gallon is 64 oz. You don't have to be precise. Pour out from the 1 gallon jug until you feel like there is only 1/2 left.

When Kim instructed you to pour in bleach each day at 1/2 gallon she is telling you basically a "safe" amount. Once you get your kit and start testing your water and have a way to actually check the chlorine level you will switch to full SLAM mode and add whatever bleach is necessary to raise your free chlorine to shock level based on this table: Chlorine / CYA Chart - Trouble Free Pool and hold it there until the pool clears. But wait until you get your kit and just add 1/2 gallon daily for now.

 

[Junesb]

Ok and keep pump on filter mode 24/7 and checking skimmer basket and pump basket regularly?

 

[mknauss]

Until you get your kit and SLAM, no real reason to keep the pump on 24/7

 

[Junesb]

I have a sand filter. The forum asked me to take out the cartridge and clean and send a pic. Do I have a cartridge? I think I need a vacuum with no brissels too. The brissels seem to push the dead algea out of the way

 

[justinc]

I have a sand filter. The forum asked me to take out the cartridge and clean and send a pic. Do I have a cartridge?

No you don't. LOL. You just need to backwash when your pressure gets high on the filter. Whatever you do, DO NOT run any water with flocculant through it! It will ruin your sand!

 

[Junesb]

No you don't. LOL. You just need to backwash when your pressure gets high on the filter. Whatever you do, DO NOT run any water with flocculant through it! It will ruin your sand!