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I agree with the advice you've been given so far. I too had milky water. Nothing I did that the pool $tore told me worked. In the meantime I wasted loads of money and effort. After learning the hows and whys of testing my own water, making my own choices about how to fix problems was easier...

It seems like I have to buy a new in-pool thermometer several times a season. Has anyone found a good durable one? Thanks :)

Looks like you're almost there! Keep brushing, vacuuming, and maintaining a good high FC level until all 3 requirements for completing the SLAM are met! You've done really well so far! It takes lots of patience and time. Don't worry :)

Stocked up my testing chemicals kit and replaced the weir door and skimmer basket. Looked at the Speedstir online and added it to my Mother's Day wishlist ;)

My pool is a worm haven during the winter too. I just scoop them out and vacuum to waste first thing each season. I think the black powdery stuff is actually pulverized worms, who stewed in the chlorine too long. I haven't come up with a good solution to keep them out yet. In other news...

Thanks for the interesting read! You learn something every day ;) Best of luck with your egg clutches!

Ok, Thanks! I have ordered the bucket from Duda Chem, but will most likely save it until opening in spring.

Hello all - I am considering adding Borates to my pool, mainly to help with PH rise and water feel. My question is should I wait until next season, or does what I add now stay stable in a winterized pool? We will probably close toward the end of October, and I just wonder if I should hold...

Any news, Snap? This is a saga I don't want to miss. I also have an auto cover, and sometimes I wonder if it's the problem causing occasional unusual FC loss.

I have an infestation of weevils. I don't see them anywhere else except in the pool. They have sticky legs that allow them to hang on to my skimmer basket and leaf net. aaarrrrggggghhhh I hope they move on soon.

Following! (Can't wait to see the inside of that filter!) Best wishes on your SLAM. Be sure to add a healthy dose of POP (Pool Owner Patience) ;)

I found a nice big salamander in mine, just swirling away in the skimmer basket like it was a hot tub. Turtles and frogs are usual. Also a large number of weevils this year. They have sticky feet that cling to the leaf rake like nothing else. Driving me bonkers.

Just chiming in -- I live in a rural area surrounded by farmland. When the farmers are plowing and planting and it happens to be dry, the dust is everywhere. It settles on the bottom of the pool, as you describe. I know it's dust and not mustard algae, because the same substance settles all...

Hi all -- during some very enthusiastic scrubbing during a recent SLAM I dislodged and ruined the foam piece on the skimmer weir. It's a Hayward, not sure of the model number. Any tips on finding a replacement for just the foam? Thanks :)

I like the kitchen brush idea :) I like to float around the edges on a pool noodle and brush away while I swim.

This morning's numbers: FC 10.5 CC .5 More Bleach More Brushing :)

Thanks for the tips! We did replace the light when the pool was drained—it was a nightmare in the niche. Super gross! It was nice to get that all cleaned up. I’ll scrub away at the other nooks and seams. Wish me luck!

Opened the pool mid April to a cloudy mess. CYA was through the roof all last season, so we drained the bulk of the water, refilled with fresh city water, supplementing with well water. Performed SLAM, water is now clear. Some visible sediment collects on the bottom only, at the seams of...

Are you using powdered "shock"? I used to use that before switching to the methods recommended on this site. Sometimes, the product would gather together like that on the surface of the water. I don't know the scientific reason for it! But have you tested your water? My guess is that it...

My pool water looks just like yours! I feel your SLAM pain. But no worries -- it will be worth it in the end. I've never been disappointed with TFP advice. You're doing great! Best wishes -- and happy (soon) swimming!

I too had a high CYA for a few years, a result from way too much powder from the pool store. It can be done, even a SLAM. You just have to have a very large trunk for all that bleach :) Good luck

I'm still LOL-ing about "ions to improve mood". hahahahah My mood is mostly improved by not dealing with cruddy pool store water.

Once you get your test kit, and practice a few times, you will soon see the light (and the bottom of your pool!) For years I struggled with just the situation you are describing. Cloudy water every year on opening, and and a struggle to keep it clear all summer long. Throw away the test...

Loving the app -- thanks for allowing me to test it. I have had no problems since downloading yesterday.

My pool is closed, all buttoned up and ready for winter. The thing is, I overbought on the muratic acid and bleach. Can the MA be stored in my unheated garage over the winter (northern Indiana) ? I can use the bleach up in the laundry over the winter months, but I have no use for MA in the...

No worries! Keep going! Keep on brushing and filtering. You'll get there.

In order to determine if your FC level is adequate, you will need to determine your CYA. The higher your CYA, the higher your FC will need to be to sanitize your water. Extended Test Kit Directions Check out the above link for detailed directions on how to test for your CYA level. You can...

Thanks for this helpful info! I have to keep my FC pretty high because I am operating a high-CYA pool at the moment. Good to know exactly what is happening with the Phenol Red.

I actually get that red smeary stuff inside the house, on the sink drains. I was told it was bacterial iron.... not sure if that's the same stuff you are experiencing. We have pretty hard, sulfury well water.

Our lawn care/fertilizer company comes out to spray the property about every 3 weeks. We are pretty much mosquito free. I have also not seen any adverse affect to the bee, butterfly, pollinator population. I love it.