New Guy with Cloudy water help

[micmlm]

Hi everyone,

I have had a pool for many years and have always had pretty good luck maintaining it!!Until this year I can't get rid of my cloudy water here are the readings I have come up with using my Taylor K-2006 kit (first time using).
PH-7.6
Alk- 120
Calcium-50
CYA-50
FC-1.6
CC-.6

Pool is 27' 18,400 gallons above ground.

Anyone have any ideas why the water is cloudy?? Numbers look ok to me

 

[zea3]

Hi, welcome to TFP! First, your chlorine is too low for your CYA level. According to the Pool calculator you should keep the FC between 4-8ppm. We recommend that you stay at the top of the range to ensure the FC does not drop below 4ppm on heavy use days.

You should go ahead and complete the the shock process with your pool.

 

[micmlm]

OK thanks, that's what i saw after reading some around here on the site I saw the table that showed what you are saying.
I have 3 bags of hypo shock 53% and lots of bleach can I mix them, I know not together but shock with the bags wait awhile then add bleach? Thanks for any info!!

 

[RobbieH]

Yes you can do what you have asked. You can use the calhypo for a while, but over time it will raise the CH too high. You are good now though. I will add that calhypo has a habit of clouding pools for a while, just be aware that it may happen.

 

[micmlm]

Hi again,
Ok I lowered ph to 7.2 Friday night, then shocked Saturday morning with 5 gallons of bleach, here in ohio they have 8.25% little over 7% FC, water looks much better this afternoon will let filter run overnight again, I think I am on the right track, my question is how do I maintain chlorine around 5 to 8 with bleach? I usually put triclor in the shimmer 3" pucks but my CYA is up to 50 and I don't want to raise it anymore. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Smykowski]

Reread the shock process. You need to raise FC to shock level, then test and redose often to HOLD shock level until the pool clears.

Take your test results and plug them into the pool calculator to figure out how much bleach to add at each dosing.

 

[micmlm]

Ok thanks!

 

[micmlm]

Is it safe to swim when chlorine is over 10??

 

[Richard320]

Is it safe to swim when chlorine is over 10??

It is safe to swim all the way up to shock level for your CYA. In your case, 10 is well below that, so you can use the pool. It may slow down the shock process, as you'l be introducing sweat, skin cells, etc from people.

 

[micmlm]

Hi everyone, just wanted to shout out a thanks, my water is crystal clear this morning, I have maintained shock level chlorine and ran pump 24/7 for 4 days. I know I wont get an accurate ph reading until the chlorine goes below 10, will other readings be accurate?

 

[Richard320]

Hi everyone, just wanted to shout out a thanks, my water is crystal clear this morning, I have maintained shock level chlorine and ran pump 24/7 for 4 days. I know I wont get an accurate ph reading until the chlorine goes below 10, will other readings be accurate?

Yes. Be aware that the TA test may shift from green>pink to blue>yellow. Don't freak.

 

[micmlm]

OK thanks, I will post numbers tonight, I assume it is OK to let chlorine drift back down? What kind of TA levels should I shoot for? Last I checked it was 120. Also I think I read somewhere on the taylor K2006 kit when I put the powder in to check chlorine do I have to put in 2 scoops or is 1 OK if water turns red? Thanks again for all you help!! I am done with pools stores!!!

 

[techguy]

Sounds to me like you need to add liquid chlorine/bleach, each night to aim for 8 ppm (according to the above comment) but adjust this higher (9-10PPM) if you find you are lower than 4 PPM the next night (test). This is assuming you are testing each night like I do.

 

[Smykowski]

TA of 120 is close enough for now. Worry about watching your FC level like a hawk, and over the next few weeks learn how your pool/pH behaves. That will tell you if you have to mess with TA at all.

 

[techguy]

As to your scoop question, if I get a good solid pink with one scoop, I know I am fine.

 

[micmlm]

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!! Water is still clear here are my numbers after letting the pool sit overnight with out pump running.

FC 11
PH 7.6
ALK 140
CALC 110
CYA 45-50

Numbers look good to me I know my chlorine was a little high to check PH but I was curious, think its a good number? Or recheck once chlorine drops to 10? Otherwise keep chlorine around 6 to 8 and I should be good?