Brand New Pool Cloudy

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TEXASERIC

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Jan 10, 2012
50
Clute Texas
Hey folks,
Just started up our new pool one week ago and the water is still very cloudy. It is an inground plaster pool with pebble tech blue surf plaster. Filter pump has been running 24-7 for a week now with cartridge filter (Jandy 460). I cleaned the filters once already. Pool numbers are as follows
FC - 7
CC - .5
TC - 7.5
TA - 70
CH - 130
CYA - 60
PH - 7.2
The only Chems that have been put in so far were by builder on start up. A small bucket of stabilizer, acid and what appeared to be about a half gallon give or take of a metal sequestering agent. The chlorinate was filled with 3” pucks and set at max injection. Also have had my new Dolphin Premier robot running fairly constant and manually sweep the pool 3 times per day. The last pool I built was cleared up very quickly but this one is still very cloudy. Any ideas? The numbers look pretty good to me other than the .5 combined chlorine which I never had any cc with my last pool. Do I need to shock? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric
 
Eric, when you say you just started up this pool, do you mean for the season, or was this pool just completed? Also, you'll want to pull the tabs from the chlorinator. They add CYA and you're CYA is getting a bit high. Plus, tabs are acidic and they can drive the pH down - something you don't need right now. Your pH is already getting too low, especially since your CH isn't all that high. Please update your signature as well. It will help and we continue to discuss things.
 
Okay then, there's a cpuple things you should be watching at the moment:
- Even with the pebble tech, your new pool may still be kicking up some plaster dust. Continue the start up procedures given to you by yoru installer and clean the filter as needed once pressure goes up by about 20-25% from the clean (starting) pressure.
- Your CSI is to low. I'll hop on the Poolmath app in a minute, but just at first glance I see a low CH & pH which can make the CSI a bit corrosive to new plaster. I'll check the app next and post back.
- Last, is there any chance the cloudiness is algae-related? Has the FC level been allowed to drop below 3 or so since the pool was filled?
 
Eric, I don't know your water temp, so I used mine (about 74). That puts your CSI at about -0.95 - very corrosive for a new pool. Quickest way to rectify that is to let that pH rise quickly. On the high end of 7.8-7.9. If you are a non-salt pool, the CH needs to be closer to 250. If your water is hard, at least get the CH to about 200, then let the hard water increase it more later. As your water temp increases, it will help your CSI, but for now it's low.
 
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If you enter all your test results into the Poolmath app (including water temp), it will tell you your CSI. Four factors have an immediate impact on CSI - water temp, pH, CH, and TA. PH and water temp are the big drivers right now. In the app you'll see how changing one or the other influences the CSI. With a new pool still under 30 days old, you need the CSI more at neutral or even a hair above. Once fully cured, then you can have a slightly negative CSI. But use the app. It's your best tool.

Oh, and don't forget your signature. :) To include which test kit you are using.
 

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You can read more about it here: CSI. But don't get overwhelmed by it. Simply try to stay in the recommended ranges (link below). Increase your pH right away. Increasing the TA by 10-20 ppm wouldn't hurt too much right now either until the CH climbs. Remove those tabs too. PH can be raised in three ways: borax, soda ash, and aeration. Borax is usually the best choice. Borax raises the PH and also raises the TA level just a little. If your TA level is low soda ash will raise both the PH and TA levels. If your TA level is high, aeration is best as it will not raise the TA level at all. However, aeration is rather slow compared to the other two.
 
For that image you posted, I'm on the fence (plaster dust or algae). Your pool is still new so a SLAM is out of the question if it is algae. But I would like for you to consider doing an overnight test if you can. See OCLT. From now on, when you need to increase your FC, use regular bleach. I go to HEB and grab their regular Bravo for $2.94 a gallon. Poolmath will tell you how much of that 8.25% strength bleach to add tomorrow as necessary. Tomorrow I would also clean the filter, make note of that clean pressure (PSI) reading, then watch it closely. Hopefully you'll pass the OCLT and what we're seeing is still residual dust from construction.
 
TEXASERIC said:
Thanks again, looks like I will be busy lol
Click to expand...
Ha. At first, perhaps. But you'll get it. Stick close to the Poolmath app and those references in my signature. Update yours as well and we'll see how things are looking tomorrow once you get some daylight to check on things.
 
TEXASERIC said:
OCLT results dropped from 7 to 6.5 on FC so that looks good
Click to expand...
Woo! That is good. So it sounds as if the water may still be saturated with calcium from all the brushing. What you should be careful about now is ensuring the calcium you are seeing is from the brushing alone and not in-part due to the low CSI. So today make an effort to raise the pH up to about 7.8 .... even 8.0 for now if you need to. If you decide to add some calcium, baking soda, etc (as noted above) to get the CSI closer to zero (neutral) just make sure to use the Poolmath app first for what you are using. The Poolmath menu also has an "Effects of Adding Chemicals" to give you a heads-up of what the numbers will be to avoid overdosing. If you do add calcium or something else, then later you may start to lower the pH again a bit. But take it one chemical at a time and watch the CSI in Poolmath. I'd definitely start by raising that pH though. Let us know if you have any questions.
 
TEXASERIC said:
Thank you, put Borax in this morning already will see where it brings PH to and finally figured out how to update that signature lol. Thanks again
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No worries! :goodjob: Stick close to those Vital Links in my sig and you'll do fine. I have some running around to do shortly, but I'll watch for progress and any questions you may have. Oh, and since your CYA is already to 60 (good summer level), you can easily keep your FC in that 7-9 range, but never below 5 now while the CYA is so high. When in doubt, go back to the Chlorine/CYA Chart.
 
Stupid question, my last pool I used pucks the 8 years I had it and never had any issues. I would like to try the bleach method but don’t have time to mess with the pool daily. I am a shift worker and go out of town often. Can I put pucks in only when I need to for lack of time or is it a one or the other only?
 

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