Please help, new pool owners!

[Sstrickler]

I need help please, our pool is cloudy in the deep end. Our levels never balance. This is what our most recent test showed.

Now Target
pH 7.7 7.5
TA 160 90
CH 250 300
CYA 0 40
Salt 0 0
Borate 0 0
Temp 75
CSI 0.34 -0.08

CSI - Calcite Saturation Index
Less than -0.6 is suggestive of problems for plaster, tile, stone, and pebble pools. Greater than 0.6 is suggestive of problems for all pools.

 

[tim5055]

Welcome to TFP!!

Can you give us details of your pool and testing methods.

You say your levels "never balance", but what have you added to attempt to get them into balance?

 

[pooldv]

Welcome to TFP!

A couple of points to get you started in the right direction. Some things are more important than others.

MOST important is to have a good test kit, Pool School - Test Kits Compared. I use the TF100 from tftestkits.net

Next, if you are sure CYA is 0 then add 30ppm of CYA to your pool. Also know as stabilizer. Put it in a sock and put it in a skimmer basket with the pump running or hang it in front of a return.

It is important to maintain PH between 7.2 and 7.8, use muriatic acid to lower it or Borax (laundry aisle) to raise it

It is very important to keep you chlorine above the minimum level for your CYA at ALL times to keep your pool properly sanitized and algae free. Read this chart, Pool School - Chlorine / CYA Chart. With no CYA in your pool the sun will burn off your chlorine quickly and you will need to test and add every few hours.

TA, CH and borates can be worked on after your pool is clear and under control.

Here is some pool school homework:
Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals
Pool School - Recommended Levels