Cloudy Water Not Getting Better

[coachdad]

Brand new TF-100 Kit
SLAM results
9pm last night
FC 13
CYA 25 adding via sock method

11am today
FC 10.5
CC .5
CYA 25

Been SLAMming for 6 days keeping FC between 10-14 adding liquid chlorine 3x a day as needed. Backwashing sand filter approx 3x a day or when full, until yesterday when sand filter didn't fill up until evening so 1 backwash all day including after vacuuming 2x and brushing twice.

Water is blue but cloudy with small light brown clouds after brushing.

Last 48 hours, no difference in water clarity. Sand filter has seemingly almost stopped filtration since I think I'm down to very small dead algae particles. Previous years at this point I floc and vacuum to waste. Tried adding "filter fiber" which is similar to DE and a pool sock but no change in clarity.

Advice?

 

[Bperry]

Brand new TF-100 Kit
SLAM results
9pm last night
FC 13
CYA 25 adding via sock method

11am today
FC 10.5
CC .5
CYA 25

Been SLAMming for 6 days keeping FC between 10-14 adding liquid chlorine 3x a day as needed. Backwashing sand filter approx 3x a day or when full, until yesterday when sand filter didn't fill up until evening so 1 backwash all day including after vacuuming 2x and brushing twice.

Water is blue but cloudy with small light brown clouds after brushing.

Last 48 hours, no difference in water clarity. Sand filter has seemingly almost stopped filtration since I think I'm down to very small dead algae particles. Previous years at this point I floc and vacuum to waste. Tried adding "filter fiber" which is similar to DE and a pool sock but no change in clarity.

Advice?

Welcome! A couple bits of advice would be your CYA is always rounded up to the nearest decade, so itd be considered 30ppm. But the test isnt so accurate anyway and even less accurate below 30ppm so I’d add enough to actually reach 30ppm.

What kind of pool and filter? Appropriately sized sand filters can work great without any aids. Would recommend staying away from floc and just keep the SLAM going and continue filtering until its clear. You can safely swim if the water is clear enough to see the bottom.

 

[JJ_Tex]

Sand filters are the slowest to clear and actually work better when a bit dirty, so you may be doing yourself a disservice by backwashing 3x a day. I would only backwash when filter pressure rises 25% above clean pressure. Are you doing that?

Also, please do not use FLOC/Clarifier as they can gum up your sand. As most things pool related, the quick fix is not worth it in the long run.

Stay the course and keep at it. Once you get closer to the finish you can add DE to your sand to help get the finer particles.

I'm sure I'm stating the obvious, but a SLAM should not be a regular occurrence or part of your normal routine. After you are done with your SLAM, make sure to keep up with your chlorine so you never get algae again and never have to do another SLAM.

 

[coachdad]

Sand filters are the slowest to clear and actually work better when a bit dirty, so you may be doing yourself a disservice by backwashing 3x a day. I would only backwash when filter pressure rises 25% above clean pressure. Are you doing that?

Also, please do not use FLOC/Clarifier as they can gum up your sand. As most things pool related, the quick fix is not worth it in the long run.

Stay the course and keep at it. Once you get closer to the finish you can add DE to your sand to help get the finer particles.

I'm sure I'm stating the obvious, but a SLAM should not be a regular occurrence or part of your normal routine. After you are done with your SLAM, make sure to keep up with your chlorine so you never get algae again and never have to do another SLAM.

I only backwash when the pump loses suction which is 25% or more increase in pressure.

Challenge is that the color changed quickly from black to blue and there's no sediment or organic matter on pool floor, but now the cloudiness hasn't changed or improved in around 48 hours. Will continue for another 48 hours or brushing and vacuuming and adding chlorine to maintain 12 FC.

 

[Bperry]

I only backwash when the pump loses suction which is 25% or more increase in pressure.

Challenge is that the color changed quickly from black to blue and there's no sediment or organic matter on pool floor, but now the cloudiness hasn't changed or improved in around 48 hours. Will continue for another 48 hours or brushing and vacuuming and adding chlorine to maintain 12 FC.

If your filter is filling up 3 times a day its working plenty well and doesnt need a filter aid. If theres that much stuff in fhe water (it was black?) then its likely to take way longer than 48 hours of SLAM.