Brand New Pool Cloudy— Help I’m Desperate!

[PoolStored]

Would not explain powdery stuff on steps though, would it?

No, because it was there before we added DE. And the filter pressure rising is an indicator that we are filtering stuff out. Did he backwash and recharge DE?

and valves (it’s messy). He did the sock. Ran it at 50% for 3-4 minutes and it did feel gritty. He swapped out the sock and did it again for 3ish minutes and did not feel gritty.

When you turn the sock inside out, was there any material?

On the picture of the skimmer, there are white lines on the pool and skimmer mouth. What happens when you scrub this line? Is it hard? Does it go away when scrubbed? Can you collect any of the material?

On the equipment, it looks like two suctions...and you said one was from spa, since you use the same pump. Correct? On the return side, you have one return to the pool and one to the spa?

I'd take advantage of the rain.

Brush the steps and turn off the pump for 2 hours. Let stuff settle. He might not like doing it in the rain, but I would systemically vacuum to waste. Linear search grid pattern across the pool. Make sure he watches the water level, it can lower quickly. You don't want to allow the skimmers to run dry. It may take several goes, because he is going to need to replace water.

 

[Royaloaker]

No, because it was there before we added DE. And the filter pressure rising is an indicator that we are filtering stuff out. Did he backwash and recharge DE?

He backwashed/rinsed (I have started adding to my maint log now), but didn't recharge the DE. How much should we add?

When you turn the sock inside out, was there any material?

He said there was not much visible material-- a few black dots, and it just felt gritty to touch.

On the picture of the skimmer, there are white lines on the pool and skimmer mouth. What happens when you scrub this line? Is it hard? Does it go away when scrubbed? Can you collect any of the material?

It's soft and powdery, and we've had it consistently. He just cleaned it all off with a sponge (oops), so next time it forms, we will collect in a glass jar. Should we hit it with the acid to see what it does?

On the equipment, it looks like two suctions...and you said one was from spa, since you use the same pump. Correct? On the return side, you have one return to the pool and one to the spa?

Yes, spa and pool share pump. Yes, one return to pool, one to spa.

I'd take advantage of the rain.

Ok, and keep monitoring FC for SLAM levels every 2 hours?

Brush the steps and turn off the pump for 2 hours. Let stuff settle. He might not like doing it in the rain, but I would systemically vacuum to waste. Linear search grid pattern across the pool. Make sure he watches the water level, it can lower quickly. You don't want to allow the skimmers to run dry. It may take several goes, because he is going to need to replace water.

Ok, he will do this. He's used to getting in the grody water to find the robot bc we can never see it LOL.

 

[PoolStored]

He backwashed/rinsed (I have started adding to my maint log now), but didn't recharge the DE. How much should we add?

Yes, 3 cups.

Ok, he will do this. He's used to getting in the grody water to find the robot bc we can never see it LOL.

Do you have a vacuum that hooks up to the skimmer? You want to let it settle, and use the vacuum to get what settles. You don't want to get in the water and stir it up. If you don't have a vacuum, this won't work.

 

[PoolStored]

It's soft and powdery, and we've had it consistently. He just cleaned it all off with a sponge (oops), so next time it forms, we will collect in a glass jar. Should we hit it with the acid to see what it does?

Yes.

 

[PoolStored]

Ok, and keep monitoring FC for SLAM levels every 2 hours?

Yes, but not during the 2 hour settle period or during the vacuum. Raise to slam level again after.

 

[Royaloaker]

Yes, 3 cups.

Do you have a vacuum that hooks up to the skimmer? You want to let it settle, and use the vacuum to get what settles. You don't want to get in the water and stir it up. If you don't have a vacuum, this won't work.

Yes, I understood that. We do have a vacuum that hooks up to the skimmer. I was just saying he was used to getting in the pool due to retrieving the robot, and he has used the skimmer vac before too. He will do this afternoon.

 

[Royaloaker]

Ok, here's the latest game plan:
1. Can't add DE or vacuum until like 4pm (DANG WORK GETTING IN THE WAY OF POOL STUFF). Should he turn pump off now? How long between adding DE and vacuuming?

2. Will collect any of the white film from sides when forms and hit it with muriatic acid to see if it fizzes.

We do have these little globe lights we've been putting in the pool and he said there's whitish green stuff on the bottom, so he's going to try to scrape and acid it.

 

[Lulu1]

Sorry to ‘butt in’ but this thread makes me so frustrated/sad/anxious. Just know that I had cloudy water issues last year and these kind people on here got my pool crystal clear and working great. I was at the point where I wanted to fill the thing in, so I needed to be patient. This is a great learning experience for you - you sound like a pool expert! Best of luck, and keep up the great work! I’ll be following your progress

 

[Royaloaker]

Sorry to ‘butt in’ but this thread makes me so frustrated/sad/anxious. Just know that I had cloudy water issues last year and these kind people on here got my pool crystal clear and working great. I was at the point where I wanted to fill the thing in, so I needed to be patient. This is a great learning experience for you - you sound like a pool expert! Best of luck, and keep up the great work! I’ll be following your progress

Thank you! @PoolStored has been SO GREAT. It sounds so dumb, but we spent so much money, and this has been such a stressful summer. We had no clue we’d be PAST July 4 and still no further along than in April. We have 2 teenage daughters (one who will going back to school in a month) who have been waiting to use with friends, and we didn’t plan a summer vacation bc of the pool. First world problems, I know. Thank you for chiming in! PS shared a motivational clear water thread to keep us hopeful lol.

 

[Royaloaker]

Ok, here's the latest game plan:
1. Can't add DE or vacuum until like 4pm (DANG WORK GETTING IN THE WAY OF POOL STUFF). Should he turn pump off now? How long between adding DE and vacuuming?

2. Will collect any of the white film from sides when forms and hit it with muriatic acid to see if it fizzes.

We do have these little globe lights we've been putting in the pool and he said there's whitish green stuff on the bottom, so he's going to try to scrape and acid it.

@PoolStored hubby wiped with a cotton ball (knife wasn't working) and put in jar. Hit with acid and no fizzing.

 

[PoolStored]

1. Can't add DE or vacuum until like 4pm (DANG WORK GETTING IN THE WAY OF POOL STUFF). Should he turn pump off now? How long between adding DE and vacuuming?

2. Will collect any of the white film from sides when forms and hit it with muriatic acid to see if it fizzes.

Run the pump until 1 or 2pm, then off and let it settle until 4pm.

You can add DE and vacuum, or just vacuum. Let's vacuum to filter, watch the pressure, it can rise rapidly. This way we won't waste water. May have to backwash often.

@PoolStored hubby wiped with a cotton ball (knife wasn't working) and put in jar. Hit with acid and no fizzing.

Ok, likely just dead algae....

 

[PoolStored]

Monitor your filter pressure for me and log those when you check. I'd like to know how rapidly your pressure is rising. I'd also like to know what the water coming out of backwash looks like and how long it takes to have the sight glass clear with the backwash.

 

[PoolStored]

It is not a typical recommendation to use a clarifier. There is no need for clarifiers in normal routine pool care. On rare occasions they can help recover from a large incident such as fire ash, dust storms or construction debris getting into the water.

The fact this is a new build, you are generally holding chlorine, and passed the OCLT...I think it is time to order. Use ONLY this clarifier. You can get it tomorrow from amazon.
Link--> Amazon.com

The only indicators to not use it yet are the CC results, and, you typically want to use the clarifier AFTER your filter pressure rise starts to slow. (that's why I asked for the pressure tracking). You don't want to add it too soon.

We may clear this pool without it, but for $20 and you can get it tomorrow, I'd rather you buy it and have it ready, even if we don't need it.

 

[PoolStored]

For absolute clarity...I want you to have the clarifier on hand. I don't want you to use it yet.

We are going to POTENTIALLY use this AFTER you have passed multiple OCLT's and have used DE in your sand filter for several days.

We need to have a few successful days of Passed OCLTs, and we want to get rid of the CCs, and filter everything we can.

If you use this product with algae in the water, you will create a mess. That is why I didn't mention it until now.

We need to be absolutely sure you have completed all aspects of a SLAM except a continuous problem with cloudy water. That may be multiple days out. I just want you to have it on hand, rather than burn another day when and if the time comes to use it.

Confirm you understand this and promise you will not add it until we tell you.

 

[Royaloaker]

We are so frustrated. Husband is vacuuming and this is what’s coming into the pool…wtf is going on?

 

[PoolStored]

Probably some chemical the builder added. The chlorine is getting at it...that is likely why the CC is high. Post a pic of the entire pool.

Clarifiers, phosphate removers, filter cleaners, lots of stuff can cause foaming

 

[Royaloaker]

Hubby is not doing well w this…he wants to just drain and refill. We just don't have time for this level of maintenance with both of us working full time, and we don't have extra days to burn either. You don't think there's something wrong with the filter?

 

[Royaloaker]

Pressure keeps bouncing bc water too low so can’t gauge. Should we start filling with hose or wait for rain?

 

[Royaloaker]

For absolute clarity...I want you to have the clarifier on hand. I don't want you to use it yet.

We are going to POTENTIALLY use this AFTER you have passed multiple OCLT's and have used DE in your sand filter for several days.

We need to have a few successful days of Passed OCLTs, and we want to get rid of the CCs, and filter everything we can.

If you use this product with algae in the water, you will create a mess. That is why I didn't mention it until now.

We need to be absolutely sure you have completed all aspects of a SLAM except a continuous problem with cloudy water. That may be multiple days out. I just want you to have it on hand, rather than burn another day when and if the time comes to use it.

Confirm you understand this and promise you will not add it until we tell you.

I'm not adding anything unless you say so. I'm getting despondent.

 

[Royaloaker]

Monitor your filter pressure for me and log those when you check. I'd like to know how rapidly your pressure is rising. I'd also like to know what the water coming out of backwash looks like and how long it takes to have the sight glass clear with the backwash.

He didn't look at the backwash water, but it takes about 1.5 minutes to get clear in the sight glass.