Pool cloudy chemicals all in range

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kguldi

Member
May 12, 2024
16
Phoenix,az
Pool Size
24000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Hello

Our pool is turning very cloudy blue but the chemicals are all in range. I have tried shocking and nothing is working. It's been an ongoing issue for several weeks now. It clears up for a day or two and then goes super cloudy. Could there be something wrong with the filter or should I change out the sand, or switch to glass? At the end of April we were out of town for a couple weeks and in the hot AZ sun the pool was nearly black when we got back. After a few days I got it back to normal but since then we have had issues with clarity. Also we have constant build up on the pool floor. The pool was existing when we moved in last August so I'm not sure the last time the sand was changed. I have a feeling it was a long time ago. Would cleaning the sand work?
 
Sounds like an ongoing algae bloom that gets better and worse, but never entirely eradicated. If the cloudiness comes and goes then it's probably not a filtration issue.

What are you current test results and how are you testing your water?
 
Donldson said:
Sounds like an ongoing algae bloom that gets better and worse, but never entirely eradicated. If the cloudiness comes and goes then it's probably not a filtration issue.

What are you current test results and how are you testing your water?
Click to expand...
hardness: around 500ppm
free chlorine: 3
Total chlorine: 3
CYA: 100
Alk: 120
PH: 7.2

I use strips for the CYA and hardness and dropper test kit for the others
 
Well, test strips are just about the least reliable testing there is (and pool stores are a close second), but those numbers would back up an ongoing algae bloom because the CYA level is too high and the chlorine level isn't high enough to compensate. Unfortunately that's really just a guess right now, due to the unreliability of the strips.

To get to the bottom of things and start getting it fixed you'll need a more appropriate test kit. That will allow us to help you accurately diagnose the problem and perform the corrective measures to fixing it. Test Kits Compared
 
Donldson said:
Well, test strips are just about the least reliable testing there is (and pool stores are a close second), but those numbers would back up an ongoing algae bloom because the CYA level is too high and the chlorine level isn't high enough to compensate. Unfortunately that's really just a guess right now, due to the unreliability of the strips.

To get to the bottom of things and start getting it fixed you'll need a more appropriate test kit. That will allow us to help you accurately diagnose the problem and perform the corrective measures to fixing it. Test Kits Compared
Click to expand...
Thanks...I'll definitely look at a better kit. Would I be better off drainign the pool to lower CYA or just adding extra liquid chlorine? I'm afraid to drain as I live in Phoenix and don't want the pool to crack.
 
kguldi said:
Thanks...I'll definitely look at a better kit. Would I be better off drainign the pool to lower CYA or just adding extra liquid chlorine? I'm afraid to drain as I live in Phoenix and don't want the pool to crack.
Click to expand...
How big is the pool ? What type of pool ? How are you sanitizing today etc - Check out other peoples signatures/profiles to get an idea of what we mean !!

In most cases, draining the entire pool is neither necessary, or advised - but we need a little more information before we can give you accurate advice !!

Your CYA does appear to be high, and is probably something that will need to be addressed, the exact way to address it tho will depend on some of those other answers !!
 
kguldi said:
Thanks...I'll definitely look at a better kit. Would I be better off drainign the pool to lower CYA or just adding extra liquid chlorine? I'm afraid to drain as I live in Phoenix and don't want the pool to crack.
Click to expand...
I would not drain until you have tested with a proper test kit. Those test kits are really only available online. The K 2006C is on Amazon and the TF kits are available on tftestkits.net. Either source will probably get the test in your hands by Monday/Tuesday if you order today. The TF kits are a better buy bc of the larger reagent bottles. Amazon might be faster.

In the mean time, add enough liquid chlorine daily to bring chlorine up 5 ppm.
 
Yes, what Deb04 said. I would not recommend making any decisions based upon test strip readings.

Adding 5 ppm worth of liquid chlorine per day will slow any algae growth down without risking other problems if the strips are way off with your CYA number. Also remove any chlorine tablets you might be using, they're only adding more CYA to the water. Once you have your kit you can run a full set of tests, post them here, and we will guide you on how to proceed.
 

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The photo of my results won't pull up for me so just in case:
PH: 7.4
FC: 20
TC: 4
CYA: 100
ALK: 160
Cal: 530

I have been dumping liquid chlorine in since late last week and running the pump for 13 hours a day and it has gotten a touch better but still very cloudy.
 
Ok, here’s the issue. Your CYA is too high to get your Chlorine high enough to kill the algae. Now that we have that confirmed with a good test kit, we know what to do next.

First, 100 is the highest measurement on the CYA test. Your CYA could be much higher. Please do a diluted CYA test. Diluted CYA test. this will tell us, approximately how much of your water needs to be replaced to get the CYA down to a reasonable level.

Can you fill out your profile and add your pool details so that we can help you more easily?
 
What exact test kit do you use for these test results?

With a CYA of 100, it will be very difficult to SLAM Process.
Did you perform the diluted CYA test to determine if your CYA is higher than 100?

Dumping chlorine and running the pump 13 hours per day is not in line with the SLAM Process.
Use PoolMath to enter your test results.
Link PoolMath to your forum account so we can see your PoolMath results.
Or post the results as follows:
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Water temperature
Salt (if you have a SWG)

To reduce your CYA, you will either have to drain/refill or do a no drain watwr exchange. With you being in AZ and our present high temps, a no drain water exchange may be your best option.

Fill out your signature with pool, pool equipment (including manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit info.
This assists us in providing you help without needing to ask you each time for this important information.
See my signature and others for inspiration.
 
Deb04 said:
Ok, here’s the issue. Your CYA is too high to get your Chlorine high enough to kill the algae. Now that we have that confirmed with a good test kit, we know what to do next.

First, 100 is the highest measurement on the CYA test. Your CYA could be much higher. Please do a diluted CYA test. Diluted CYA test. this will tell us, approximately how much of your water needs to be replaced to get the CYA down to a reasonable level.

Can you fill out your profile and add your pool details so that we can help you more easily?
Click to expand...

Thank you, I'll do that tonight and report the results and try to get my equipment updated.
 
proavia said:
What exact test kit do you use for these test results?

With a CYA of 100, it will be very difficult to SLAM Process.
Did you perform the diluted CYA test to determine if your CYA is higher than 100?

Dumping chlorine and running the pump 13 hours per day is not in line with the SLAM Process.
Use PoolMath to enter your test results.
Link PoolMath to your forum account so we can see your PoolMath results.
Or post the results as follows:
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Water temperature
Salt (if you have a SWG)

To reduce your CYA, you will either have to drain/refill or do a no drain watwr exchange. With you being in AZ and our present high temps, a no drain water exchange may be your best option.

Fill out your signature with pool, pool equipment (including manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit info.
This assists us in providing you help without needing to ask you each time for this important information.
See my signature and others for inspiration.
Click to expand...
Deb04 said:
Proavia post was great.

Please let us know which test kit you’re using.
Click to expand...

I'm using the Taylor K-2006c kit.
 
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