cloudy water

[Rob-D]

ok right now i am at
FCI-0
alk-100
ph-7.2
seems good
last week was kinda green so i slammed it with HTH super shock and i always have a tablet in the floater. next day was blue but looks like this since and this crud seems to plug the paper cartridge in a few hours. i tried a clearing agent didnt help. aside from buying a sand filter instead what else am i missing?

 

[JVTrain]

I'm not sure where it's coming from but I have a feeling the pool store/service industry is confusing the word by using it themselves. A single dose of shock IS NOT the same as performing a SLAM procedure.

Review this article for what a SLAM actually is and how it is a process not a shock and pray application. Pool School - SLAM - Shock Level And Maintain

If your FC is 0, that's always a problem.

 

[Rob-D]

so i need to add chlorine? as in liquid chlorine or bleach?

 

[mknauss]

Yes. But what is your CYA level? How do you test your water? Can you post a complete set of test results?

Take care.

 

[JVTrain]

Liquid chlorine (aka bleach) is the best to use since it only adds chlorine to your pool. Powder shocks will always add something you may not want in your pool such as CYA or calcium. You need a proper test kit to determine your CYA level and to test accurately for FC. Do you have a recommended test kit? Pool School - Test Kits Compared

 

[Rob-D]

my test kit doesnt have a cya on it. wow that slam video is awesome so much i didnt know.

- - - Updated - - -

also so even though it looks blue it might have dead algea on the bottom?

 

[mknauss]

You then need to purchase a proper test kit. You cannot effectively manage your pool water chemistry without it. See Post #5.

- - - Updated - - -

This is a clear pool - TFP Clear in North Dallas - there is water in there

 

[JVTrain]

my test kit doesnt have a cya on it. wow that slam video is awesome so much i didnt know.

- - - Updated - - -

also so even though it looks blue it might have dead algea on the bottom?

Yes, cloudy but blue is still algae. Most of the algae may be dead but there's still algae. You need a test kit that is capable of testing for CYA and higher levels of FC accurately. The TF-100 from tftestkits.net is the best value and has all the tests you need. The Taylor K-2006 is also acceptable. You cannot properly SLAM a pool without a test kit that can measure CYA and FC/CC as well as pH.

 

[Rob-D]

I thought cya was free chlorine. ugh

 

[Rob-D]

im going to get a kit with CYA on it today. as far as bleach, just off the shelf generic bleach will work?

- - - Updated - - -

and yall are amazing Thank You so much !!!! ill report back.

 

[mknauss]

You cannot purchase a proper test kit in any store. You can order the TF100 from TFTestkits.net or the Taylor K2006C.

Put your money towards a proper test kit, not one that will not perform the tests you need.

 

[Rob-D]

my local pool supply has a test kit that covers everything CYA FC and the rest

 

[mknauss]

They do not. They might have a K2006. That comes with very limited amount of reagents. You will need to immediately purchase refills for FAS -DPD and CYA reagents.

 

[Rob-D]

would this work? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0039UZD78/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp_3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2972357942&pd_rd_wg=pX8Nv&pf_rd_r=FZC5079GXYSWD2NXP358&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-bottom-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B0039UZD78&pd_rd_w=aemmi&pf_rd_i=551236&pd_rd_r=DE99JZ3NZKCSXTVB5EQ1&ie=UTF8&qid=1502393937&sr=3

 

[mknauss]

No. Strips are trash.

Get a TF100 from TFTestkits.net. Best value.

As you are in Washington (state I assume) you can order the TF100 through Pool Supply World that ships from the west coast.

 

[Rob-D]

ok. how long are the test chemicals good for?

 

[Rob-D]

just ordered a tf100

 

[kabutotx]

It's recommended to get refills yearly I think. Regents start to shift usually after a year. You can probably get away with every 2 years.

 

[JVTrain]

From tftestkits.net:

As a general precaution, we recommend replacing reagents every year. However, we will guarantee reagents for up to 18 months from date of purchase. If you have a reagent that you think has expired, send back the unused portion and we will send you out a new reagent.

 

[mknauss]

Store the kit in a cool, dry place. I keep mine in our laundry room.

Reagents are officially expired in 1 year. You normally need FAS-DPD and CYA reagent refills each year as you will use them up. The other tests, depends on your water chemistry.

Good decision.

Take care.