Pool cloudy w deposits on vinyl. TA or filter?

[Zwrickers]

Hi there,
We opened late to clean and close, same as last year. On opening, water was clear with pH over 8 and grains on the walls (assumed minerals). TA 100. no CYA. Got algae and cloudiness over next few weeks due to a number of factors (mostly my fault). I did successive MAcid addition to pH 7.0, vacuumed 2x gunk, ran pump for days, cleaned cartridge filter, re vacuumed etc.....and cant get it clear. Just added liquid cya yesterday to get to 30 hopefully.
Is this a high TA problem or filter cartridge problem (its over 4 yrs old) or just not slamming properly? Still brushing sides and hardness sticking around. Water SLOWLY improving.
Thanks

 

[Newdude]

Welcome back

Is this a high TA problem or filter cartridge problem (its over 4 yrs old) or just not slamming properly?

Filters remove particles from the water, they do nothing to kill organics (algae) and unless you kill it with chlorine, it will continue to grow and eventually over run the filter.

Slam needs to be followed to the letter, or its not guaranteed and YMMV.

SLAM Process

How often are you testing ? It needs many times a day at first, no more that every 2 hours, but as close to that as you can.

 

[sande005]

Give us the results of all your tests.
Are there pictures possible of the "minerals" on the walls?
Do they brush off easily and now that is what made the water cloudy?

 

[Zwrickers]

Hi folks! Just tested...
FC 0.5
CC 0.5
pH 7.4 (rising 0.2 per day now)
CH 125
TA 100
CYA 40

Residue on walls is coming off more easily but still there esp at waterline. It forms white powder under my nails but too dark for pic tonight. Pool a tiny bit clearer but still cant see the bottom.
I dont know about the residue making it more cloudy. Water was clear but with wall residue upon opening a month ago.....although, it WAS cloudy on close last Dec unfortunately. Maybe it deposited over winter? Thanks in advance.

Kristin

 

[Zwrickers]

NewDude I am not really doing a proper SLAM yet where I check every 2 hrs. But will start that very soon. I just wanted to check if I should buy a new cartridge or get my TA down before putting in the work to properly SLAM... or just start now and hope for the best!

 

[proavia]

NewDude I am not really doing a proper SLAM yet where I check every 2 hrs. But will start that very soon. I just wanted to check if I should buy a new cartridge or get my TA down before putting in the work to properly SLAM... or just start now and hope for the best!

TA level has nothing to do with the SLAM Process - unless TA was under 50.
Follow the SLAM Process to the letter - including lowering the pH to 7.2 before starting.

When did you last clean the cartridge?
Personally, I wouldn't put in a new cartridge until the SLAM was completed - and maybe not even then. Cleaning it as necessary is the first option.

 

[Zwrickers]

Thanks proavia. I just cleaned it two or three days ago. Pressure looks good and hasn't risen since.
My thinking about TA was I read that you can get scaling with high pH and high TA, both of which I had for awhile and likely over winter. I never had wall residue before but feel like I did something wrong. I know when I follow the process it does work. If I let something go it sets off a negative consequence LOL.

 

[Newdude]

Scaling is usually it's own issue from cloudy water. (Unless the cloudy water is from large quantities of Cal'Hypo).

Slam it clear, then lower the TA by actively aiming for a low 7 ph. Once the TA hits 60, go back to maintaining a high 7 Ph.

 

[Mdragger88]

I see this is an above ground vinyl pool?
If there are steps or a ladder remove it asap and clean it inside and out with bleach.
Along with following the other
SLAM Process instructions.
Your slam fc target is 16ppm
FC/CYA Levels
The more often you replenish fc to slam level the faster things will go.