This is my third summer as a pool owner and my third year using the TFP method for maintenance (thanks for all the widsom!). I originally opened my pool in May, and everything went great. I had sparkling clear water--better than it has ever looked--for 2-3 weeks before I started having problems with my pump. This lead to several days where I wasn't able to circulate or filter the water at all, during which time things started looking cloudy. I've essentially gone back to square one with startup.
I now have a brand new pump and filter system installed. It's been running 24/7 with shock level chlorine for about 4 days now, and it doesn't seem to be making any progress. The water is a milky white color and the bottom of the pool isn't visible. After 2 days of not seeing any change, I followed the steps described in Pool School for adding DE to my sand filter, but this hasn't made a visible difference yet.
Here are my most recent test results. Everything except FC and CC is from after I installed the new pump but before I started the SLAM:
PH: 7.5
FC: 19 (higher than it needs to be, but I decided to take it to the maximum recommended shock level to make sure I killed anything in the pool)
CC: <0.5
CYA: 30
CH: 125
TA: 190 (I know this is high, but I have been under the impression that this number isn't as important with a vinyl liner)
No chlorine loss overnight. I've been brushing every day. I can post pictures of the water later if it would help.
I fill with well water that is high in iron, so at the beginning of the season I have been using the paper towel/polyfill trick to remove as much as possible, followed by an HEDP-based sequestrant. I imagine the SLAM has negated any remaining sequestrant.
I know that what I most likely need is some pool owner patience, but pool season is nearly halfway over here in Ohio, and if there's anything I can do to speed along the clearing process, I'd like to try it. I know TFP recommends against flocs and clarifiers, but they're starting to sound tempting...
I now have a brand new pump and filter system installed. It's been running 24/7 with shock level chlorine for about 4 days now, and it doesn't seem to be making any progress. The water is a milky white color and the bottom of the pool isn't visible. After 2 days of not seeing any change, I followed the steps described in Pool School for adding DE to my sand filter, but this hasn't made a visible difference yet.
Here are my most recent test results. Everything except FC and CC is from after I installed the new pump but before I started the SLAM:
PH: 7.5
FC: 19 (higher than it needs to be, but I decided to take it to the maximum recommended shock level to make sure I killed anything in the pool)
CC: <0.5
CYA: 30
CH: 125
TA: 190 (I know this is high, but I have been under the impression that this number isn't as important with a vinyl liner)
No chlorine loss overnight. I've been brushing every day. I can post pictures of the water later if it would help.
I fill with well water that is high in iron, so at the beginning of the season I have been using the paper towel/polyfill trick to remove as much as possible, followed by an HEDP-based sequestrant. I imagine the SLAM has negated any remaining sequestrant.
I know that what I most likely need is some pool owner patience, but pool season is nearly halfway over here in Ohio, and if there's anything I can do to speed along the clearing process, I'd like to try it. I know TFP recommends against flocs and clarifiers, but they're starting to sound tempting...
