Hi! I am new to this group/forum and near my wits end with our pool. This is the 3rd summer having the pool and opening has always been a long and expensive process…. I don’t know what we’re doing wrong 
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Here’s what we know:
50,000 gallon salt water pool with sand filter. Using pentair pump and intellicor salt generator.
1st year, pool was already open and swimmable when we moved in. We had the company prior owners used close the pool. Battled with mustard algae mid-summer.
2nd year, pool was opened by prior pool guy, they “treated” and said vacuum and add XYZ (I cant remember specifics), then should be good to go. Took roughly 2 weeks to get water clear and levels adequate. Again had mustard algae in mid-summer. (By the way, water looked like a pond when opening). Closed by another pool co. We did struggle with CYA readings at 0 throughout the summer, even after adding appropriate amounts of CYA.
3rd year (this year), were on the same track as last year. Pool opened 2 weeks ago and finally got the water blue…. (Or at least not green/teal, etc) but it’s still cloudy. I can barely see the liner in the shallow end, and none at the deep end. My CYA is still at 0, total chlorine above 5 (I apparently need a new test kit from reading other threads) free chlorine 0.
How can my cya be at 0? There has to be some residual amount from last year, right? Pool store had us use floc, and did (before I saw we weren't supposed to with a sand filter-you'd think they would know that since they're the ones who constructed and installed everything) So what do I do about that? Is there a way to throughly rinse/agitate the sand in the filter?
What do I need to do to get AND keep our family in the pool? AHHH!!!!!
Thanks y’all! Really appreciate any tips on getting our pool usable, and what a maintenance schedule should look like for this season!
. Here’s what we know:
50,000 gallon salt water pool with sand filter. Using pentair pump and intellicor salt generator.
1st year, pool was already open and swimmable when we moved in. We had the company prior owners used close the pool. Battled with mustard algae mid-summer.
2nd year, pool was opened by prior pool guy, they “treated” and said vacuum and add XYZ (I cant remember specifics), then should be good to go. Took roughly 2 weeks to get water clear and levels adequate. Again had mustard algae in mid-summer. (By the way, water looked like a pond when opening). Closed by another pool co. We did struggle with CYA readings at 0 throughout the summer, even after adding appropriate amounts of CYA.
3rd year (this year), were on the same track as last year. Pool opened 2 weeks ago and finally got the water blue…. (Or at least not green/teal, etc) but it’s still cloudy. I can barely see the liner in the shallow end, and none at the deep end. My CYA is still at 0, total chlorine above 5 (I apparently need a new test kit from reading other threads) free chlorine 0.
How can my cya be at 0? There has to be some residual amount from last year, right? Pool store had us use floc, and did (before I saw we weren't supposed to with a sand filter-you'd think they would know that since they're the ones who constructed and installed everything) So what do I do about that? Is there a way to throughly rinse/agitate the sand in the filter?
What do I need to do to get AND keep our family in the pool? AHHH!!!!!
Thanks y’all! Really appreciate any tips on getting our pool usable, and what a maintenance schedule should look like for this season!
Unfortunately, it sounds like you've wasted a lot of time and $$$ via the pool store and their notoriously poor water testing and advice. Step #1 - Order your own TF-100/Pro-Series test kit (link in my signature) or Taylor K-2006C. IMO, the TF-Series products are a batter value. With the proper kit, we can coach you through just about anything. For now, just add one gallon of liquid chlorine to the pool each day. Maybe even two since your pool is so large. Don't add anything else right now until we can see some reliable testing.
