Losing FC and cloudiness/haziness

Jump to latest Follow Reply
LaurenB

LaurenB

0
Gold Supporter
Jun 4, 2014
157
Fawn Grove, PA
Pool Size
22500
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Ok, quick recap before I start…

Opened early April to swamp. Cleared up using slam and passed the criteria within about 5 days. Was still dealing with cloudiness which I was certain was dirt due to new build. Used a 3/4 dose of clarifier and far improved (I know it’s a no no). Have had a lingering “is it cloudy?” thought nagging me. Found a photo after fresh fill in the fall and determined yes, ever so slightly cloudy. Have run pump and been patient and by Monday this week I was satisfied that it is no longer cloudy and I’m just not used to an 8ft deep end.

Fast forward to Thursday; pool builder came out to caulk(? I guess it’s caulk) one of the joints (possibly a couple) in the coping and it had to be sanded down. I came home to a few bits of caulk (again I guess that’s what they use) on the bottom. Vacuumed it up, nbd. But now I’m being haunted by the cloudy thoughts again.

I decided to run a oclt tonight and when I was out there I noticed by the light of the leds that there is a bit of a haziness/fogginess to the water.

Am I obsessing? Is this what water by an led looks like at night? I didn’t have a light at my previous pool. It is really hard to see what I’m talking about in a photo but I’m not sure how to post a video.

Photo 1: When I was certain there was a bit more cloudiness compared to fresh fill
Photo 2: Me vacuuming before coping fix
Photo 3: Can you see the haze?

FC 4.5
CC 0
CYA 40
pH 7.7
TA 80
 

Attachments

  • IMG_8635.png
    IMG_8635.png
    402.4 KB · Views: 38
  • IMG_8630.jpeg
    IMG_8630.jpeg
    374.2 KB · Views: 38
  • IMG_8656.png
    IMG_8656.png
    181.2 KB · Views: 39
I forgot the losing FC part. With a cya of 40 I try to keep around 5ppm. I raised to 5.5 this afternoon around 4:30 (confirmed after dosing) and by 8:00 my FC was already down to 4.5 and it’s a cloudy day. Hence the oclt tonight. But I’ve been noticing I lose 2-3 ppm fc a day. Is that about normal?
 
LaurenB said:
But I’ve been noticing I lose 2-3 ppm fc a day. Is that about normal?
Click to expand...
It can be for this time of year. It will likely go to 4 when it's warm out.

You are dancing too close to min FC and if it hasn't bit you already, it always does given enough chances.

lc_chart.jpg


Here is your daily equation:


Min FC per your CYA
+ Recent daily loss
+ 1 or 2 ppm wiggle room
-----------------------------
= trouble free pool.


In July you may need to dose over target range to land 2ppm above min after the daily loss. So be it. Never sniff minimum. In fact, rename it Swampville so you think of it with the respect it deserves. You won't come back telling me how you hang out near Swampville everyday. Or that you repeatedly crossed the border into Swampville like it was no big deal. No ma'am. You won't. You'll be all like 'Dude, I kept 2 bridges and a country mile between me and Swampville, at all times' :)

Report back with the OCLT results
 
  • Like
Reactions: LaurenB
This is all news to me! Thank you. I’ll be sure to bump it up in the morning after the oclt. Pool math suggested 3-7 so I thought I’d would aim in the middle at 5, but I’ll start aiming for 7.
 
Newdude said:
In July you may need to dose over target range to land 2ppm above min after the daily loss. So be it. Never sniff minimum. In fact, rename it Swampville so you think of it with the respect it deserves. You won't come back telling me how you hang out near Swampville everyday. Or that you repeatedly crossed the border into Swampville like it was no big deal. No ma'am. You won't. You'll be all like 'Dude, I kept 2 bridges and a country mile between me and Swampville, at all times' :)

Report back with the OCLT results
Click to expand...

I passed through swampville this April and I am not to keen on ever revisiting thank you very much. I will however always cherish my souvenir t shirt that says “I went to swampville and all I got was this lousy t-shirt”
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Newdude
3 is for the dead of the winter with almost no loss, and 7 is probably enough for July/August but you may need to go over if need be when the time comes. You're safe to swim up to slam on the chart above (16 FC for 40 CYA). Use the wiggle room to your advantage.


LaurenB said:
I passed through swampville this April and I am not to keen on ever revisiting thank you very much
Click to expand...
GREAT. So you get it. Call minimum Swampvile instead. It'll provide better context when you're losing 3 ppm a day and Swampville is 3. Oh. We gonna wanna donse to 8. Maybe 9. :ROFLMAO:
 
  • Like
Reactions: LaurenB
LaurenB said:
Oclt yielded .5 fc loss.
Click to expand...
CCs also ? (0 or.5 ?)

That would point to a mechanical (filter) need and not a chemistry need.

Along with any man made dust, pollen season just arrived for us.

You can
www.troublefreepool.com

Add DE to a Sand Filter

A clean pool filter will increase the efficiency of your pool! ... your filter are to backwash it, clean the manifolds and grids, and add new DE.
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
To help the filtration along when you are able to watch the PSI. It may rise quickly needing frequent backwashing. (A good thing in this instance).

When you aren't free, backwash the last round and skip the DE until you're free again.


Run a slightly elevated FC until it's clear, just as a precaution that whatever is blowing in may consume some FC and leave you short.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LaurenB

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
0 CCs.

How long do I need to watch the filter after adding DE? I need to install a new pressure gauge. I was going to stop and get one and DE on my way home from work today. If I add tomorrow morning and watch all day, would I just backwash it out in the evening before bed? How do I know if I've backwashed it all out?
 
LaurenB said:
How long do I need to watch the filter after adding DE? I
Click to expand...
You'll need to road test it and find out. Each battle is different and some may be minutes and some may be hours. Once you get an idea about that battle, then respond accordingly.
LaurenB said:
If I add tomorrow morning and watch all day, would I just backwash it out in the evening before bed?
Click to expand...
You'd backwash when the PSI went up 25%, with the same sight glass procedure you always use. That will also rid the DE you added and depending on the timing, add more for the next round, or pause DE until you're free again to the level of babysitting it needs. For example, if the PSI lasts 3 hours, that's plenty of time to run to the store but not enough to sleep. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: LaurenB
LaurenB said:
Is this a good DE? HTH Pool Care Powder Filter Cleaner 10 lb - Ace Hardware
Click to expand...
Not per This thread. Matt's my go-to guy for this kinda stuff, and he reinforces why on the daily.


LaurenB said:
And how much should I start with? I saw someone recommend about 1 cup for the initial dose. Sound right to you?
Click to expand...
It will typically take 1 to 2 cups but you need to establish how your filter responds (per the atricle) so start with 1/4 cups at a time while watching the PSI.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LaurenB
LaurenB said:
Yikes. I didn't realize it wasn't actually DE
Click to expand...
Apparently they get alot of folks, which is why marketing is gonna market. :roll:

You did good. Check here first and we'll do our best to decipher the baloney from the good stuff. :)
 
Picked up a new gauge and 24lbs ( o_O ) of DE. Just swapped out the gauge. Will add the DE tomorrow when I can babysit it.

I added 1 gallon of 10% (Wally world pool essentials) which in theory should have raised my fc to 8.5 this morning. Just checked and down to 3.5 (0 cc). Is a 5ppm fc loss normal?

Also, the water looks crystal clear. I think I might be going a little crazy.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply