Tried Super Clarifier for the first time....pool was slightly hazy....results = wow!

[crocop]

I have been following the TFP method of pool ownership for 5 years now (this site is a LIFE SAVER)...Only chemicals to touch my pool was bleach, CYA and PH +/- .....I also have a SWG.

Last season I noticed I could not get that sparkle I used to have. To everyone else the pool looked 100% clean and nice (even to my pool snob father in law...lol)...to me, I could see tiny particles in certain lights that would drive me nuts. I needed that sparkle back.

Opened again this year to a green pool and a SLAM took about 5-6 days to clear everything up, and CC was 0. FC would fall 0.5-1PPM per night...pool was clean. But there was a slight haze again so I ran the SLAM an extra week...I could not clear up the small particles for the life of me. Last year I used DE in my sand filter and it worked wonders to clearing up the small particles. My sand filter is probably 15 years old now....it has trouble catching the small particles (i know this, but see no need for a new filter yet)

This year instead of grabbing DE (place i go to is closed bc of Covid) I added 3.5oz of Clorox clarifier I got off Amazon to my 20,000 gallon pool, and within 12-18 hours it was sparkling like never before. This stuff really works if dosed properly.

I know its not something the TFP method approves of, but if you suspect your filter is not performing up to normal standards (mine is def not), I would suggest taking a look at a clarifier for those with haze issues.....assuming all your other chemistry is in working order.

 

[Wobblerlorri]

I suppose if you vacuum to waste a little clarifier won't hurt, just be aware it will gum up your sand filter something awful...

 

[crocop]

I suppose if you vacuum to waste a little clarifier won't hurt, just be aware it will gum up your sand filter something awful...

Really? Like after 1 application..or if I continue to use it? If I backwash the filter, will that clean it up?

Are you talking about clarifier...or floc? Floc is what you vacuum to waste....clarifier you dont have to I thought?

 

[mknauss]

Both. The clarifier is glue.

I would suggest a deep clean of your sand filter.

 

[crocop]

Both. The clarifier is glue.

I would suggest a deep clean of your sand filter.

So would it be better to use DE powder in the sand filter rather than clarifier?

 

[Donldson]

Those seem like good questions to ask before dumping something in to your water.

 

[mknauss]

So would it be better to use DE powder in the sand filter rather than clarifier?

Yes. And a deep clean of the sand filter each year keeps the sand well mixed and channeling eliminated.

 

[Jimrahbe]

If I understand correctly, the OP used 3.5 oz. of clarifier and only used it once..

Would this really have an effect on his sand filter???

Jim R.

 

[Donldson]

Probably not. But if the sand filter hasn't been working properly for years, then it seems prudent to suggest attempting to fix the filter rather than dumping in chemicals to hide the actual problem.

 

[crocop]

Probably not. But if the sand filter hasn't been working properly for years, then it seems prudent to suggest attempting to fix the filter rather than dumping in chemicals to hide the actual problem.

agreed...i have NEVER done a deep clean on it....

Might have to after this summer....

 

[Donldson]

Might? After this summer?

Why not definitely right away?

 

[crocop]

Might? After this summer?

Why not definitely right away?

Because the thought of taking off the pipes (that look to almost be glued in there)...and then moving the mammoth filter out of the pool shed and outside is a huge task its seems lol..

How easy/hard is it to reconnect those pipes? Its not something I can just twist off it seems...

 

[JohnT]

Pool clarifiers rely on the charge difference in the molecules of the clarifier and the particles floating in the water. They are electrically bound together. Once dissolved in water, there is nothing sticky or gummy to clog a filter.

The routine use of clarifiers generally is an attempt to compensate for poor water chemistry, so should be avoided. Occasional use when opening or to recover from an incident like a dust storm or construction debris is not going to be problematic.

 

[crocop]

Pool clarifiers rely on the charge difference in the molecules of the clarifier and the particles floating in the water. They are electrically bound together. Once dissolved in water, there is nothing sticky or gummy to clog a filter.

The routine use of clarifiers generally is an attempt to compensate for poor water chemistry, so should be avoided. Occasional use when opening or to recover from an incident like a dust storm or construction debris is not going to be problematic.

Are you sure? Why are the people telling me above its going to ruin my sand filter and make it gummy?

I just added 3.5 oz slowly in the deep end of the pool and ran the filter for 24 hours (as per instructions)....so you're saying it wont ruin my filter?

 

[Nectarologist]

Are you sure? Why are the people telling me above its going to ruin my sand filter and make it gummy?

I just added 3.5 oz slowly in the deep end of the pool and ran the filter for 24 hours (as per instructions)....so you're saying it wont ruin my filter?

3.5 ounces is not going to ruin your filter. IMO, people slam other methods like this because they are accustomed to doing things their way they can't be objective. Now i agree that all one needs is the TFP method but i don't let that impact me in providing an objective answer.

 

[mknauss]

@crocop -- I wish to apologize for jumping in about the clarifier early. Occassional use, as JohnT stated, is fine. But do not lull yourself into the though of using it weekly or whatever. Repeated cloudy water is most likely from a chemistry imbalance and the likeliest isssue is algae. So just be aware of that. Repeated use, many pool stores recommend it weekly, will eventually cause a problem in your filter media. But using at the start of the season after making sure you are completely clear of any algae and, if necessary, a full and complete SLAM Process has been followed, will not bring immediate harm to the filter media.

I do still think that a deep clean of your sand filter would be a wise thing to do. And the use of DE to 'polish' your water is a much preferred method.

 

[crocop]

@crocop -- I wish to apologize for jumping in about the clarifier early. Occassional use, as JohnT stated, is fine. But do not lull yourself into the though of using it weekly or whatever. Repeated cloudy water is most likely from a chemistry imbalance and the likeliest isssue is algae. So just be aware of that. Repeated use, many pool stores recommend it weekly, will eventually cause a problem in your filter media. But using at the start of the season after making sure you are completely clear of any algae and, if necessary, a full and complete SLAM Process has been followed, will not bring immediate harm to the filter media.

I do still think that a deep clean of your sand filter would be a wise thing to do. And the use of DE to 'polish' your water is a much preferred method.

Awesome...thanks for the feedback. I will def not be using it regularity, and I do plan to do a deep clean of the filter this weekend (not bc of the clarifier, but bc it has not been done in several years...if ever)..

Thanks again!

 

[mgtfp]

We had a freak event in January, last week of our summer school holidays. A dust storm from further north in the state rained down in Melbourne. Every single pool in Melbourne got turned into a brown mess. I first tried filtering, but not much success. In the end I decided to floc, so that my son could enjoy the pool in his last week of holidays. Pool shops were booming, queues on streets outside (that was just before Covid19 started in Australia, so no social distancing in queues). Floc did its job, cleared the pool over night. Vacuumed the gunk straight to waste, and the pool was good to go again.

I agree, that flocs and clarifiers shouldn't be used to cover up underlying problems. They are certainly no solution for algae problems. But there are use cases for them...

 

[LoneWolfArcher]

Just have to say, I bought both Clarifier and FLOC last spring before I found TFP. I felt very nervous using it so I didn't. Then I found TFP, switched my methods and had perfectly clear pool water all season last year! Still have full bottles of Clarifier and FLOC.

This year, after learning here, I opened my pool just as the weather was switching to warm, avg 60+ weather. While my pool was still a tinge green, it was no where near the 4" thick green algae I opened to last year. I then followed TFP opening and SLAMing protocols, passed the OCLT within 3 days of opening. And then after 1 1/2 weeks my water is crystal clear. So I agree with the experts, if your equipment is good, you keep your filter clean, keep your pool water balanced and chlorinated with LC, and a little patience, your results will be spectacular without the shortcuts of the "clearing" products that the big pool industry sells.