Cloudy Water

[Justantru]

Hello,

My pool chlorine dropped to zero after a large swim party and the water is now cloudy. I have tried to start the "Slam" process but noticed a couple of really weird things:
1. When I add liquid chlorine the PH goes down vs. up (usually it goes up)
2. Second after adding 5 bottles of 7% (64 oz) bleach I still can't get a chlorine reading

My ph is reading 7.15, my salt cell is reading 3000 parts salt.

What should I do?

 

[Texas Splash]

That could be an indication of ammonia. Not guaranteed, but possible. Before we go there, please post the following:

CYA
PH
TA
CH

 

[Justantru]

CYA = I know is below 30 via my Taylor R0013 test (only test to 30 or above). I believe it's zero as I have not added any based on advice with a IC40 salt cell
Ph = currently at 6.9
TA = 80
Ch = Test is not working need to buy new test chemicals as I can't get the 25ml to turn red
TH = 400

 

[wireform]

I believe it's zero as I have not added any based on advice with a IC40 salt cel

Please fill me in here not familiar with this statement.

 

[mknauss]

I believe it's zero as I have not added any based on advice with a IC40 salt cell

Your CYA should be 60-80 ppm using a SWCG. See Recommended Levels

Read Ammonia - Further Reading before doing anything.

 

[Texas Splash]

Get yourself a good amount of liquid chlorine, then do the following:
- Do NOT add stabilizer at this time.
- Increase the FC to 10 based on the PoolMath APP. Test the FC again in 10 minutes. If it fell below 5 ppm in 10 min, increase it right away back to 10. Keep doing this 10-min drill until you see the FC beginning to hold between 6-10.
- Once you see the FC starting to hold, then add stabilizer for a CYA target of 30 ppm.
- Now increase and maintain an FC SLAM level of 12 and follow the SLAM Process page.

Monitor the FC closely in teh early stages of the SLAM. Eventually you'll see a pattern.

 

[Texas Splash]

After you can maintain the free chlorine and pass all 3 SLAM criteria, then we'll come back and address all your other levels and testing methods.

 

[Justantru]

Do I adjust ph in the process?

 

[Texas Splash]

Do I adjust ph in the process?

Normally we lower pH prior to a SLAM, but yours is low already. While it's a little low, the elevated FC level will increase the effects of pH, so I would just leave it for now. Increase the FC, complete the SLAM then check/adjust the pH afterwards.

 

[Justantru]

Update:
1. Overnight test showed now loss of chlorine sitting at 10ppm.
2. Water is clear (only 15 gallons of 10%) gulp.
3. Ph is holding at 7.01
4. Going to locate some CYA today - all stores where out yesterday.

At what point to I increase the ph?

 

[wireform]

Slam for one more day before you up the CYA. You have 30 now that ought to get you through another day to be sure.

 

[Deb04]

WAIT…there’s a typo in your post. Did you lose no FC and your at 10 or did you lose 10 FC overnight?

 

[Justantru]

I did not lose any chlorine overnight.

 

[Texas Splash]

Wow. You went from holding no chlorine to holding it all the next night. That's some weird stuff there. With the FC at 10 you can adjust the pH a bit if you like. You do want to make sure you have a minimum CYA of 30 as soon as you can find a source. If you have any doubt about chlorine loss later, you can always do anther OCLT. But always be sure to watch the FC and keep it balanced as noted on the FC/CYA Levels.

 

[Justantru]

All,

Thanks for your help. The pool chlorine seems to be holding well. I have CYA at 30 now. I am having trouble getting PH to hold above 7.2. Seems to drop back down to 7.
Any thoughts around why?

 

[mknauss]

Any thoughts around why?

ph can only go down by adding acid or acidic products. CYA is mildly acidic.