Another question still..anyone??

Have you passed any OCLTs?
Since the water has still been cloudy I have only done that test twice the first time I lost three ppm. The second time was the other night when my mistake in counting drops made it look like it gained PPM. I have not checked it nightly because I was operating under the assumption that I still had algae because the water was still cloudy. Im not sure that’s the case anymore
 
Ok. Just curious since you have 20ppm FC above in your posts but only shows 10.5 in logs. And cya at 45 which we assume 50 from @PoolStored advice on bumping that to the next whole # up.
Exactly correct :)
Every time I test the chlorine, I change that free chlorine number from 10.5 to whatever it is and update the CYA to 50, hit the slam button and let it tell me how many cups I need to add. But since nothing else ever actually changes I don’t post it every time I do that.
 
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Do me two favors.

Do an OCLT tonight. Do it carefully.
Take a picture of the pool as it is now so we can see the whole pool and the water.
Well to be completely transparent, about 30 minutes ago in a fit of frustration, I added clarifier. It was my last ditch effort before I put this pool up for sale
 
We really want to help you out. I feel your pain I promise. I worked 84 hours in the last 6 days and got home and my daughter and then my son (22 and 15) asked me what did I do today the pool looks so go good. I said nothing. Other then last night brushing and vacuuming then adding 46 Oz of LC then the CYA and 24 oz stabilizer in a sock per @Mdragger88 posts and the pump ran since 8pm last night. Typically I have 100 "ants with wings" I think alates (attracted to the light that reflects from the water's surface of your pool but may also be drawn to the water when searching for a moist nesting site to begin a new colony) and June bugs or beetles who sink and some float. Let alone no storms or leaves and pine needles.
 
I took pictures but it won’t let me attach them because they’re too large. And I don’t use anything like photo bucket

I took pictures but it won’t let me attach them because they’re too large. And I don’t use anything like photo bucket
What kind of phone? Do a "screenshot". Then save. Then attach that. It will work 🙏👍🏻
 
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Weird how other pools with 20 ppm FC and 50 ppm CYA don't have that problem. In fact, I'd be surprised if that could happen even in a pool with 200 ppm FC and 50 CYA.

Understand that I'm not just trying to be argumentative. What you are describing should not be happening in a pool with the chemistry you are claiming. That indicates something might be wrong with your testing. If something is wrong with your testing, then that is likely contributing to the rest of your problems.
Well I’m using the big test that I bought from the website so I don’t know how else I can do any better
And to be perfectly honest, even when my chlorine is not in slam level but just higher than normal, it’s bleached out every swimsuit or T-shirt I have ever worn in the pool pretty much for the last five or six years I’ve had a pool. I’ve got tons of bathing suits and T-shirts that are either have bleach stains on them or the whole bottom half is bleached out from getting in the pool with them. So trust me. It happens
 
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Kim,
I understand your frustration but bear with us as your internet friends 😊
In reviewing your thread I noticed a couple things have possibly held you back & prolonged your slam:
Hesitation to thoroughly clean the ladder (many people make this mistake),
lack of a functioning psi gauge so you know when to backwash,
&
While your filter size is ok for your pool I question your zeolite.
It can get blown into the pool on high speed & cause cloudiness due to its light weight. In a large pool this may dissipate easily after a short time but not so much in a small pool.
It also has the propensity to get clogged up & no longer backwash well.
It doesn’t really lend itself to a deep clean with the water hose the same way sand does either. But it may be worth a try.
Fwiw- After 2 seasons of never having anything but a clear and balanced pool my zeo looked like used kitty litter 🤢 I cannot imagine what it would have looked like if I had ever had to clear a swamp with it. It also poofed every time the pump came on.
I suggest you Keep with the slam,
Replace your pressure gauge & investigate your filter media. #20 pool filter sand is perfectly fine and the appropriate media for a sand filter.
Also, get in & scrub your seam flaps if you have any. A poly household broom works well. I used to have to lift them with my toes to get the broom/ brush in there.
Wear something already messed up if you’re concerned about bleaching.
I have been in MA slam fc level water & never had what you’re describing with clothes/suits so I am not sure what’s going on there unless you immediately got in before mixing the liquid chlorine into the water.
One other note - enter your ch in poolmath.
 
Kim,
I understand your frustration but bear with us as your internet friends 😊
In reviewing your thread I noticed a couple things have possibly held you back & prolonged your slam:
Hesitation to thoroughly clean the ladder (many people make this mistake),
lack of a functioning psi gauge so you know when to backwash,
&
While your filter size is ok for your pool I question your zeolite.
It can get blown into the pool on high speed & cause cloudiness due to its light weight. In a large pool this may dissipate easily after a short time but not so much in a small pool.
It also has the propensity to get clogged up & no longer backwash well.
It doesn’t really lend itself to a deep clean with the water hose the same way sand does either. But it may be worth a try.
Fwiw- After 2 seasons of never having anything but a clear and balanced pool my zeo looked like used kitty litter 🤢 I cannot imagine what it would have looked like if I had ever had to clear a swamp with it. It also poofed every time the pump came on.
I suggest you Keep with the slam,
Replace your pressure gauge & investigate your filter media. #20 pool filter sand is perfectly fine and the appropriate media for a sand filter.
Also, get in & scrub your seam flaps if you have any. A poly household broom works well. I used to have to lift them with my toes to get the broom/ brush in there.
Wear something already messed up if you’re concerned about bleaching.
I have been in MA slam fc level water & never had what you’re describing with clothes/suits so I am not sure what’s going on there unless you immediately got in before mixing the liquid chlorine into the water.
One other note - enter your ch in poolmath.
The ladder isn’t even in the pool anymore. It’s laying outside on the ground
The pressure gauge has never worked from day one but I have been backwashing every couple of days and have started doing it a couple of times a day based on a previous comment
I can look into changing the media again even though, even reading comments on this page, the zeo is supposed to be superior
However the interesting thing is, after finally deciding that it wasn’t algae making it cloudy, I added clarifier last night and it cleared it right up 🤷🏻‍♀️
 
Do me two favors.

Do an OCLT tonight. Do it carefully.
Take a picture of the pool as it is now so we can see the whole pool and the water.
OK the 6:30 AM water test required 44 drops so a free chlorine of 22 ppm. This is twice now that it is tested slightly higher in the morning than at night but for .5 ppm I am going to chalk that up to nothing to worry about and consider this as no chlorine loss overnight.
Good thing I put that clarifier in because the water is sparkling clear this morning also!!
I guess if I had never done that I would’ve been doing slam until October waiting on it to clear lol.
Insanity!!

I assume I’m done now?
 
I am very fortunate I added only just shy of 2 pounds of baking soda to my pool this year and therefore obviously the clarifier was able to bind it and get it out. Year before last I added 4 pounds per the test result instructions and my filter just couldn’t get rid of it. I had to empty the water and start over.
I have learned a very valuable lesson through all this and I’m sure people will disagree but I will never, and I mean never, add baking soda to a pool again!!! And honestly as someone who cooks, and sees how it reacts with water, I can’t understand why anybody would add this to their pool and expect anything different 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️
The first time I did it it was easy to chalk it up to several other things at play that caused the water to get so cloudy and I bought into that. But after doing it again this year and then almost instantly the water starts getting cloudy, that’s all the proof I need.
When the same action gives you the same result multiple times, that pretty much tells you not to take that action anymore 😉
 
The zeo has its pros & cons - it tends to do best with those who have 2 speed or variable speed pumps who can filter slowly without experiencing it blowing into the pool.
Some may do just fine with it for years but for many it can get clogged up & become ineffective and need replacing. Sand lasts essentially forever if you don’t gunk it up with floc or clarifiers.
Large baking soda additions can cause cloudiness although it’s usually temporary.
This can be more prevalent with higher ch levels or when added within a short time of a calcium addition. Thus the inquiry about your ch level.
Any Ta 50 or above is fine & no need to adjust. If you happen to need to add baking soda in the future just do multiple small additions testing in between.

Sometimes a little clarifier can be helpful in certain situations - but algae must be completely ruled out first & it’s really the very last thing we recommend after all options are exhausted since it may only serve as a bandaid. Over use of clarifier can also gum up your filter media or make things worse so use with care.

Glad to see it seems you are now passing your oclts!
As you allow fc to fall be sure to not let fc fall below minimum for your cya lest algae will return.
Dosing to high target 🎯 or a scootch above will give you wiggle room so you don’t risk falling below minimum before your next dose in these dog days of summer.
Its not uncommon for an algae free pool in your location this time of year to lose 4/5ppm fc per day depending upon conditions so dose accordingly.
 
The zeo has its pros & cons - it tends to do best with those who have 2 speed or variable speed pumps who can filter slowly without experiencing it blowing into the pool.
Some may do just fine with it for years but for many it can get clogged up & become ineffective and need replacing. Sand lasts essentially forever if you don’t gunk it up with floc or clarifiers.
Large baking soda additions can cause cloudiness although it’s usually temporary.
This can be more prevalent with higher ch levels or when added within a short time of a calcium addition. Thus the inquiry about your ch level.
Any Ta 50 or above is fine & no need to adjust. If you happen to need to add baking soda in the future just do multiple small additions testing in between.

Sometimes a little clarifier can be helpful in certain situations - but algae must be completely ruled out first & it’s really the very last thing we recommend after all options are exhausted since it may only serve as a bandaid. Over use of clarifier can also gum up your filter media or make things worse so use with care.

Glad to see it seems you are now passing your oclts!
As you allow fc to fall be sure to not let fc fall below minimum for your cya lest algae will return.
Dosing to high target 🎯 or a scootch above will give you wiggle room so you don’t risk falling below minimum before your next dose in these dog days of summer.
Its not uncommon for an algae free pool in your location this time of year to lose 4/5ppm fc per day depending upon conditions so dose accordingly.
Thank you so much for the helpful and thorough reply!
 
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OK the 6:30 AM water test required 44 drops so a free chlorine of 22 ppm. This is twice now that it is tested slightly higher in the morning than at night but for .5 ppm I am going to chalk that up to nothing to worry about and consider this as no chlorine loss overnight.
Good thing I put that clarifier in because the water is sparkling clear this morning also!!
I guess if I had never done that I would’ve been doing slam until October waiting on it to clear lol.
Insanity!!

I assume I’m done now?
Be careful with clarifier. I used it once and yes helped with clarity. But look at it coming out with backwash and the green
 

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