Cloudy Pool

[mknauss]

For future FC testing, use 10 ml water sample, 1 scoop of powder, and each drop of reagent to clear is 0.5ppm FC.

CH still appears low. I would suggest you get a water sample from the taps that were used to fill the pool and test the TA and CH of that water.
How does the water look? You need maintain your FC in target range based on the FC/CYA Levels

Soon you should do a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to see if you need to follow the SLAM Process

 

[sbhuta]

The cloudiness has definitely gone. The wife thinks this is blue but I think it can be bluer. Thoughts? I do appreciate your suggestion on adding chlorine every day to increase the PPM.
I will check the CH and TA on the hose water and get back to this thread.
After yesterday's test and to match the CYA chart, I added some chlorine. I will test today to make sure that it meets the CYA.FC chart.
Tonight is the Overnight Chlorine Lost Test

 

[mknauss]

Looks cloudy to me, but that may be the picture conditions.

 

[Poolnerdgrandma]

Looks cloudy to me, but that may be the picture conditions.

Agree... That slight level of not crystal clear is where I have learned to bump up my chlorine before things get worse.

 

[sbhuta]

I am in agreement with you both. Thanks for that. I will run the overnight chlorine test tonight

 

[Poolnerdgrandma]

I have found that once my pool is cloudy, the SWG will not be able to keep up so I increase the chlorine levels as needed. If I don't like the way the pool looks, I raise chlorine levels immediately, then do the OCLT that evening. I just think the sooner that I address any potential organic growth problems the better.

 

[sbhuta]

I did the OCLT test and the level dropped only 0.2ppm ie. from 7.8 - 7.6. Seems like there is no algae. Addition of extra chlorine has made the pool a lot better.

How often should I test the chemicals in the pool?
Should I run the pool in day time or night time? Currently, its night time as its cheaper.

 

[mknauss]

You can run the pool pump whenever it makes sense economically.

Basic Pool Care Schedule

This basic pool care schedule can guide you in creating your own pool care routine. Regular pool maintenance will keep your water sparkling!

www.troublefreepool.com

Test FC and pH daily until you get a feel for your pool. Test TA weekly or whenever you need to add acid to lower pH. Test CYA monthly.

 

[sbhuta]

I tested my free chlorine and I see a major drop from 7.6 on Thursday morning (5am) to 4 today(Saturday 2pm). There was no sun yesterday, it rained a bit and we(3) used the pool for 1 hour. Its hot today but I did not expect the level to drop so much. The pool looks blue. The pH is in range. The chlorine dispenser seems to be working. Thoughts?

I am going to add another half a gallon to bring it up the CYA/FC chart but wanted to know if this was normal

Also to a previous comment, I tested the water that filled the pool and the CH was at 20 and my pool is at 100. Shall I order CH?

 

[mknauss]

You should be testing FC and pH every day and adding liquid chlorine every day.

Did you fill the pool from a water softener? If the CH of your pool water is 100, you need to add at least 100-150 ppm CH to your pool water.

 

[sbhuta]

We filled the pool from the outside spigot. Unfortunately, no one knows how is that water being supplied. The water softener was installed after the house was built.

 

[mknauss]

It is great to use softened water once the pool is full. You could use Cal Hypo every day for your chlorine needs until your CH reaches 250 ppm.

I assume you are not using trichlor pucks, right?

 

[sbhuta]

We are using Trichlor pucks as its just easy and it seem to be a commonly used thing. Should I not be using that? However, I just read that the pucks increases the CYA, which I assume is not good.

 

[mknauss]

They do add CYA. You have as much CYA as you want right now. You can use them later when you go on vacation for a few days or when your CYA tests at 40 ppm and you want to add a little.,

Right now, you should be using liquid chlorine, every day, or cal hypo, every day until you get your CH up. If you purchase cal hypo, be sure it is pure. No additives. Just calcium and chlorine.

 

[sbhuta]

I will stick to liquid chlorine. A bit expensive but it seems to be the right choice. Thanks

Also, my TA seems to be between 110-120. I tried to click on the link on this website on how to reduce TA but it seems to be down.

 

[mknauss]

Here is a write up on TA -- TA - Further Reading

You do need to add calcium. May have to order it as few people in Phoenix ever have to add calcium.

 

[sbhuta]

so to be clear, either using a cal hypo or liquid chlorine..it wont increase my calcium but I would have to order calcium

 

[mknauss]

Cal hypo will raise your calcium. Liquid chlorine will not. Also using non - softened water to use for make up water will raise your calcium. See if you can find a non-softened water outlet and use that when possible to fill your pool due to evaporation.

 

[sbhuta]

There is an outlet in the pool, that was also used to fill the water in the pool. I am assuming that would be non-softened water. As the heat rises in phoenix, the evaporation will be a daily thing. I will check in a week if the CH is on an incline or not.

Thanks a lot once again.

 

[mknauss]

I know all about evaporation. Much warmer where I live.
Surprisingly, the highest evaporation is in late spring and early fall. The pool water is warmer than the overnight temperatures. Evaporation is very high then. In summer, our pool water stays at about 88-90F, but our overnight temperatures can sometimes never go below 100F.