Can I get my cloudy pool clear in 36 hours?

[xhaust50]

Edit: Adding my signature info here because I am receiving an error when I try to update my signature (the error says "BB code font is not allowed", though I haven't adjusted the font from the signature box)

20x40 IG SW Gunite Pool (built in 2016)
350lb Heyward Sand Filter ; Pentair Intelliflo SVRS High Efficiency Pump ; Heyward Aqua Rite SWG ; Dolphin Nautilus Plus with CleverClean Vacuum; TF-100 Test Kit ; Well Water (filtered through Big Blue sediment, carbon and iron/manganese filters)

I'm hoping to host a party on Saturday/Sunday, and right now my pool water is cloudy (I can see about 3 steps down; I cannot see the bottom of the pool). Any tips on making the water clear in 36 hours?

The relevant history is that my pool was opened three weeks ago by the company that historically has maintained the pool, but I told them that after they establish the water quality I would maintain it this year. When they opened the pool the water was green, but it was clear in about two days (based on whatever they put in the pool). We used the pool two weeks ago, though due to crummy weather we haven't used it since and it has been covered by the solar cover. I went out to the pool on Monday (three days ago) to check on how it was doing and upon pulling back the solar cover I found the water to be completely green. This was my first time actually checking on the pool (my fault), and it turns out that (i) the pool company didn't turn my salt water generator on, and (ii) they also didn't establish good water quality. My TFP test results this week are as follows:

6/11/2018
FC 0
CC (didn't test)
pH 8.2
TA 90
CH 175
CYA 0
Salt 2000
Pool condition: dark green
Action: Added 12 gallons of bleach, 10lbs of CYA, and 20lbs of calcium hardness

6/12/2018
FC 0
CC (didn't test)
pH 8.2
TA (didn't test)
CH (didn't test)
CYA (didn't test)
Salt (didn't test)
Pool condition: very slightly green tint, cloudy
Action: Added 8 gallons of bleach, 280lbs of salt

6/13/2018 - 9am
FC 2
CC (didn't test)
pH 7.5 (I didn't dose anything to change the pH, but due to the pool being uncovered and the pump on 24/7 the aeration seemingly lowered the ph, which saves me from adding acid)
TA 70
CH 275
CYA 50
Salt 3800
Pool condition: cloudy
Action: Added 3 gallons of bleach

6/13/2018 - 2pm
FC 10
CC (didn't test)
pH (didn't test)
TA (didn't test)
CH (didn't test)
CYA (didn't test)
Salt (didn't test)
Pool condition: cloudy
Action: Added 4 gallons of bleach

6/14/2018 - 9am
FC 11
CC 0.5
pH (didn't test)
TA (didn't test)
CH (didn't test)
CYA (didn't test)
Salt (didn't test)
Pool condition: cloudy
Action: Added 2 gallons of bleach

Unfortunately some combination of (i) the green algae dying; (ii) some of the bleach used the first two days being splashless bleach; and (iii) adding 10lbs of stabilizer, 20lbs of calcium and 280lbs of salt to the water has left the water cloudy. I will make sure I use only splashless bleach going forward (though ideally within a few days the pool water should be established correctly and I wont need any bleach with the SWG). However, is there anything I can do to speed up clearing the water? I have been running the filter 24/7 and using the Dolphin Nautilus a good amount of that time, and the cloudiness has improved but only marginally and slowly. When the pool company first opened the pool it went from green to clear in two days, so I am hoping there is something I can do to make the water more clear for a party here this weekend. I was thinking about adding DE to the sand filter, but I note that I do not have a pressure gauge on the filter so I would probably only add a cup or so.

Thanks!

 

[regularAZguy]

Really tough to say - Drain and Refill would do it though...

 

[xhaust50]

Pics attached for reference. There are bubbles on the surface (presumably from the splashless bleach), though the cloudiness bothers me much more than the bubbles.

Just tested the water again and had an FC of 11 and a CC of 0, so hopefully all the algae is gone and it's just a matter of clearing up. I added another bottle of regular bleach to raise the FC another few points. However, given that I am having people over on Saturday I would welcome any thoughts on how to speed up the process. I'm running the pump on its highest speed 24/7 and leaving the cover off the pool during the day. Would DE in the sand filter help? Any other suggestions?

 

[Mendy48]

You're on the right track. please follow the Overnight FC Loss Test (OCLT) before ending your SLAM. When you say you testing the water again and it was an FC of 11, does this mean that there was only a 1ppm lost (if any) on your FC (OCLT). You'll want to test your FC in the evening and again in the morning to view FC lost.

You can use the DE to remove fine particles from your pool. The DE basically forms a fine layer on top of your sand to filter out tiny particles that might otherwise get through the sand. See Adding DE to Sand Filter. If you use DE, make sure to check your pressure 2-3 minutes later. Repeat until PSI goes up 1 tick. After that check PSI every 30 minutes or so, and backwash when it goes up 20-25% above baseline (or 10 PSI depending backwash schedule - I'll recommend the 20-25% above baseline though).

I'll let others chime in here soon to get more opinions on this.

 

[mknauss]

With a sand filter it is very unlikely this pool will be clear in a day and a half.

I placed your signature information in your profile. Please check the box next to Show your signature on the bottom left of this page.

Take care.

 

[borjis]

If you do get DE make sure it is pool grade and not food grade.

I doubt that will fully clear up in time though regardless.

Keep running the pump 24/7 and the slam level.

Who knows, but it will likely clear up a lot more.

My pool with sandfilter takes at least 3 days to go from that cloud level to sparkling clear.

When you brush does it make the pool more cloudy? If so, you might have several days left of SLAM to do.

 

[xhaust50]

Thank you all for your feedback. I decided to pickup a used DE filter with pump on Craigslist and I'm running that as a standalone unit in the middle of my pool (with intake/return hoses). We'll see how clear it gets by Saturday.

 

[GOONiE]

My pool was as cloudy as yours. Bumped up my FC to 20 and it cleared within 12 hours.