Cloudy pool new to TFP method

[Hetlegioen512]

Hi all,
To start, please ignore my CC results. They should be .2

This is my second year with this pool. 20k gl, inline trichlor puck feeder, cartridge filter. This is my second day using the TFP method. I use the Taylor K 2006c. My pool is in direct sun from sunrise to around 4 pm.

I am a long time lurker on TFP but didn't switch because last summer went so...swimmingly (sorry).

This summer has been frustrating due to the constant sun and heat. I have been unable to keep chlorine levels up.

Last Wednesday I noticed my pool was a little cloudy, I tested it and my pH was high. I added acid and within a day it was much clearer. I shocked on Sunday per usual using 1lb bags of granular.

Wednesday we tested the water at the store (results attached). I shocked it with 2lb. Usually the water clears up within 24 hours but it's still so cloudy. I panicked as I thought this could be the start of something bad and decided to fully invest into the TFP way. You can see my results from yesterday and today attached. I turned the trichlor off completely.

Questions. Is it normal to lose that much FC overnight? Am I on the right path by using liquid chlorine to keep it at the reccomended level in relation to my cya level? If so how long should it take to clear up? Do you think this could be related to phosphates? I did buy orenda 10k.

 

[Parac]

A few things based on your tests in Pool Math.
For the chlorine test use a 10ml sample and 1 scoop of powder. Each drop will then be 0.5FC. This is accurate enough and will save you some reagents.
For CYA you always round up to the next 10, so call yours 70.
You don't show any calcium tests, that will also matter for a plaster pool.
In the options you should turn on CSI tracking.

Pool store testing can be very inaccurate and isn't trusted at TFP. Your K2006c is the only tests you should use.

 

[Parac]

You can do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to confirm if you have algae.
If you fail the OCLT, then you need to SLAM the pool. Print it out, read it several times, and follow the process exactly.
How long it takes to clear can vary, but you don't have a green swamp yet so it may be a quick SLAM.
You don't need to do anything specific for phosphates. If you have algae, a SLAM with just liquid chlorine is all you need to clear it.

 

[Hetlegioen512]

You can do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to confirm if you have algae.
If you fail the OCLT, then you need to SLAM the pool. Print it out, read it several times, and follow the process exactly.
How long it takes to clear can vary, but you don't have a green swamp yet so it may be a quick SLAM.
You don't need to do anything specific for phosphates. If you have algae, a SLAM with just liquid chlorine is all you need to clear it.

My calcium is on the store test results (525). I did the OCLT and lost .4ppm overnight (attached). I will update my pool math with a cya of 70 and change my procedures for the FC test. Thanks!

So while I "passed" would you still reccomend I SLAM? It is clearer as of this morning.

 

[mknauss]

shocked on Sunday per usual using 1lb bags of granular

Assume that is Cal Hypo? Likely what is giving you 'cloudy' water. Discontinue using that product. Your CH is elevated along with your TA and that makes the pool cloudy.

 

[Hetlegioen512]

Assume that is Cal Hypo? Likely what is giving you 'cloudy' water. Discontinue using that product. Your CH is elevated along with your TA and that makes the pool cloudy.

Thank you for some piece of mind. Will discontinue use of it. I am adding the "magenta stuff" monthly to help contain the CH. I will also allow the TA to drop.

 

[mknauss]

Adding potions to control issues created by adding granular shock is an expensive and typically useless process. You need to get your CH into the lower to mid 300's.

Please test your CH with your own kit. I suspect it is much higher than the pool store result.

 

[Hetlegioen512]

I will test it today. How can I lower the CH when my house water is also high in calcium?

 

[mknauss]

What is the CH of your fill water? Do you have a water softener for your home?

 

[Hetlegioen512]

I will test it today. How can I lower the CH when my house water is also high in calcium?

I realize the bulk of my CH is from the calhypo. But I believe my house water is also high.

 

[Hetlegioen512]

What is the CH of your fill water? Do you have a water softener for your home?

No softener, and not sure but we get scaling around faucets.

 

[mknauss]

Test your fill water.

If your fill water is high in CH, you should never use granular chlorine (Cal Hypo).

 

[Hetlegioen512]

I will get it tested and you already turned me off from it so it was already axed haha.

 

[Hetlegioen512]

Test your fill water.

If your fill water is high in CH, you should never use granular chlorine (Cal Hypo).

Tested fill water and CH is 140. Will do a small drain and fill. Will repeat until reading is much lower. Thank you.

 

[mknauss]

Small drains and fills will use a lot of water. Up to you.

Try to get the CH into the low 400's at least. A 40-50% drain and refill would get there quickly.

 

[Hetlegioen512]

Small drains and fills will use a lot of water. Up to you.

Try to get the CH into the low 400's at least. A 40-50% drain and refill would get there quickly.

I have never done that before. Assuming close the skimmers and just drain through the main drain?

 

[mknauss]

You need a submersible pump.

Since you drain to close, you might be able to just wait. The cloudy water should dissipate if you push the TA lower by keeping pH in the low 7's.

 

[Hetlegioen512]

You need a submersible pump.

Since you drain to close, you might be able to just wait. The cloudy water should dissipate if you push the TA lower by keeping pH in the low 7's.

Sounds good. Thank you so much for the knowledge and input. I'll do small drain and fills to get CH into the 400s and I'll throw in some acid now.