Cloudy water again!

[TeenaTeens]

Hey guys

After all I did a couple of weeks back slamming, the pool is slightly cloudy again. I don’t know why? Can anyone help?

 

[Texas Splash]

I don't see why either. Your test logs look good. The photo doesn't look bad, but then you know your water better than anyone. Just watch it. Might need to check the filter, or if the cloudiness doesn't improve, increase the FC a bit more for a day or so, and/or perhaps do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test as well.

 

[TeenaTeens]

I don't see why either. Your test logs look good. The photo doesn't look bad, but then you know your water better than anyone. Just watch it. Might need to check the filter, or if the cloudiness doesn't improve, increase the FC a bit more for a day or so, and/or perhaps do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test as well.

I just cleaned my filter last Saturday but will do it again tomorrow. I’ve turned up the chlorinator and put the filter on high. I really don’t understand as the pool isn’t losing chlorine the way it was last time it went cloudy. I have tested every day since slamming and it passed the OCLT only a 1.5 weeks ago. Let’s see what happens tomorrow…

 

[TeenaTeens]

I turned up the SWG and ran the filter on high all night. Water is clear again. Despite having a big bather load with kids yesterday. I’ll clean the filter and return to low 24/7, bring the FC back down to 8, and see where we land. I’m sorta confused as to why it’s happening, so I will run an OCLT tonight just to be sure.

 

[Texas Splash]

I’m sorta confused as to why it’s happening, so I will run an OCLT tonight just to be sure.

For whatever reason, sometimes pool water get s a mind of its own. The good thing about having TFP in your toolbox is that you observed something unusual and took immediate action on your own without having to go to a pool store for questionable testing or advice, and didn't need to experiment with pricey products. Glad to hear the water looks better.

 

[TeenaTeens]

Yes! I’m forever grateful for learning from you guys. I enjoy looking after my pool so much. Thank you.

 

[Mdragger88]

High bather loads can make the water look less than optimal with all the sweat, oils, & sunscreen. It takes some extra filtering to clear it out & I always shore my bets w/ extra fc before & after a party/high use time to help oxidize the stuff. If i am gonna have alot of folks oiling up their bodies I also throw a scum bug in the skimmer (just cuz I already have them), some people use tennis balls instead. I am so proud of u for regular testing, ensuring you maintained adequate fc levels & noticing something was “off”!
Once u go tfp clear it’s easy to spot trouble & notice if the sparkle is gone

 

[TeenaTeens]

High bather loads can make the water look less than optimal with all the sweat, oils, & sunscreen. It takes some extra filtering to clear it out & I always shore my bets w/ extra fc before & after a party/high use time to help oxidize the stuff. If i am gonna have alot of folks oiling up their bodies I also throw a scum bug in the skimmer (just cuz I already have them), some people use tennis balls instead. I am so proud of u for regular testing, ensuring you maintained adequate fc levels & noticing something was “off”!
Once u go tfp clear it’s easy to spot trouble & notice if the sparkle is gone

I increased the SWG before they came yesterday - unfortunately the water had turned slightly the day before without bather load. I’m ordering a replacement filter cartridge - it’s still slightly off color… it’s really very slight, but I know it’s not right. will stick a couple of gallons of liquid chlorine in tonight and do an OCLT tomorrow night. Wondering if I should move to 80 CYA and 8 FC even tho I’m under an enclosure with 80UV screens. I just can’t figure out why this is happening. Anyway a new filter cartridge may be the answer..

 

[duraleigh]

Wondering if I should move to 80 CYA and 8 FC even tho I’m under an enclosure with 80UV screens.

Absolutely not! That's plenty of UV protection. Your daily burn should be about 2-3 ppm FC depending. Under an enclosure, I would suggest CYA of 50-60 and FC of around 5.

 

[duraleigh]

The filter cartridge will likely not help. Your posts suggest algae is still in the water. Are you running the pump 24/7 ?

 

[Mdragger88]

When u did the SLAM Process did u do all these things?
*Check & scrub every nook & cranny where algae may hide (light niches, steps, drain covers, ladder handrails, skimmer throats/weirs, etc.)
*Run slam level water through all water features & lines for at least a couple hours a day during the SLAM Process.

 

[TeenaTeens]

Absolutely not! That's plenty of UV protection. Your daily burn should be about 2-3 ppm FC depending. Under an enclosure, I would suggest CYA of 50-60 and FC of around 5.

Well I’ve got it at 70 and it isn’t burning off as it was before I slammed. Ok I’ll leave it where it is! Just replaced the cartridge - have the filter running on high. If that doesn’t fix it I’ll slam again tonight.

 

[TeenaTeens]

The filter cartridge will likely not help. Your posts suggest algae is still in the water. Are you running the pump 24/7 ?

Yes I am. And I did the OCLT test after two days of slam with crystal clear water within 2 hours of adding chlorine on day 1. I’ve had no FC loss since slamming apart from the gradual decrease after slamming - once I turned on my SWG I’ve had to keep it at a very low setting to maintain 10% Of CyA. I replaced the cartridge anyway and am doing a deep clean of the original one which is only been working since April. If it doesn’t clear today I’ll slam again for the next two days and then do the OCLT test again after that.

 

[TeenaTeens]

When u did the SLAM Process did u do all these things?
*Check & scrub every nook & cranny where algae may hide (light niches, steps, drain covers, ladder handrails, skimmer throats/weirs, etc.)
*Run slam level water through all water features & lines for at least a couple hours a day during the SLAM Process.

Yes I did all this. Will go around and check everything again today. We have a very simple pool. 2 lights, one bubbler, one skimmer, rectangle. As far as I can tell there’s no algae anywhere.

 

[TeenaTeens]

So it’s improving! I’m not sure I could get the old cartridge clean enough. I’m gonna soak it this week. The new cartridge is making a big difference quickly.

 

[TeenaTeens]

Absolutely not! That's plenty of UV protection. Your daily burn should be about 2-3 ppm FC depending. Under an enclosure, I would suggest CYA of 50-60 and FC of around 5.

Should I be emptying some water and getting it to 50? I just roll with the 70 I have? Ugghh I thought I was doing the right thing getting it back up to 70…

 

[TeenaTeens]

Should I be emptying some water and getting it to 50? I just roll with the 70 I have? Ugghh I thought I was doing the right thing getting it back up to 70…

Back to normal! Will post the OCLT test tomorrow. If it’s normal, I wonder if low speed on my filter isn’t sufficient… that’s what I’m using 24/7. Or if in fact was the old filter. I’m stumped to be honest. Anyway. Let’s see how I go tonight. As always thanks for the help.

 

[Texas Splash]

Should I be emptying some water and getting it to 50? I just roll with the 70 I have?

Just roll with it. Normally a CYA of 70 is recommended with a salt pool, but with the enclosure protecting your water you may be one of those other circumstances that can get away with a slightly lower CYA. But don't go out of your wat to lower it now. Just maintain the FC level of 28 and press on. As the season progresses, the CYA should slowly fall anyways. Hang in there.

 

[Mdragger88]

Quick question, can u open/unzip that float & check inside? Those kind give me the heeby geebies being sorta plush/absorbent & wet like a patio cushion. Not to mention my fear of millions of styrofoam beans in my pool
I just think if algae in the foam on a weir door is possible (which is quite common) then it’s definitely possible for millions of little foam beans encased in a wet fabric bag.

 

[TeenaTeens]

Quick question, can u open/unzip that float & check inside? Those kind give me the heeby geebies being sorta plush/absorbent & wet like a patio cushion. Not to mention my fear of millions of styrofoam beans in my pool
I just think if algae in the foam on a weir door is possible (which is quite common) then it’s definitely possible for millions of little foam beans encased in a wet fabric bag.

They are brand new! only arrived last week. And they come out of the pool and are hung to dry after every use. I don’t mess about with wet floats. But will keep a close eye on them for sure!