Day 9 of SLAM still cloudy

[mariettapoolguy]

So, this is my first year opening the pool (used to pay for that service, but they always messed something up). I am on Day 9 of SLAM and the water has been blue but cloudy since about day 2. It is not improving in cloudiness, even marginally. Last night, I passed the OCLT and had 0 CC this morning. That said, I did 1 deviation to the typical SLAM process which I am worrying may have contributed. To start, I reduced pH to 7.2 using MA per instructions. However, in addition to using the liquid chlorine, at the beginning I added a total of 6 Trichlor pucks (3 in skimmer, 3 in a floater). Now I am worried that the pH may be too low as I read that pucks are highly acidic. I understand that pH readings are not accurate at high FC (the reading I took a few days ago during the SLAM at high FC, was a 6.8 pH, so not sure if that is accurate or not). I am currently around 12 FC/30 CYA. The pool company I use for other services (plumbing repairs) suggested that I may need Sand replaced as it has been about 5 years. Any suggestions on what I should do next? Stay the course and hope things get better? Add Washing Soda to increase pH? Replace the sand? Something else? I have already spent over $100 on liquid chlorine, so trying to not blow the budget on this (not to mention the time required to babysit it during this phase). I am setup on PoolMath app but here are my latest readings


FC- 11 (just added LC to get to 12)
pH - 7.2 (pre SLAM, middle of SLAM it is registering at 6.8)
CYA- 30
TA- 40
CH-150
CC-0
Salt- unknown but probably below 2000 ppm

 

[HermanTX]

Stay with the plan. A sand filter takes longer to clear the water. We have another member with similar issue.
How often are you backwashing the filter? What was starting filter pressure and what is current filter pressure? Always check pressure at the same pump speed.

First item is to backwash.
Second item is to add just a cup of DE to the skimmer after backwashing. That helps the sand filter hold small particles.
Third item - maintain the FC at SLAM level. Even though you passed OCLT and have 0 CC, the pool is not clear.

The pucks are not terrible. Did you remove them? The true effect is when then are fully dissolved.

 

[Mdragger88]

Add enough baking soda to get ta to 60 and ph may well take care of itself. You can point the jets up so the burble to help aerate the water and increase ph as well. Ph results are invalid with fc over 10ppm so at your next dip to or below 10 give it a recheck.
Keep with the slam process and do the pool grade de as you’re able to help the filter catch the fine stuff.
You’re in the patience part of the process now.
Sand lasts for ions but it may benefit from a deep cleaning if you have never done so.
you can use your swcg to help maintain slam level if its not decreasing rapidly and you’re to the stage it doesn’t take much to maintain.
We generally want it off because it can make it hard to get an idea of consumption but its ok to let it help you out. Just remember to keep it off for oclt.

Add DE to a Sand Filter

A clean pool filter will increase the efficiency of your pool! ... your filter are to backwash it, clean the manifolds and grids, and add new DE.

www.troublefreepool.com

Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter

This post will walk you through the anatomy of a sand filter, and then provide a video at the end for how to deep clean your sand filter. The filter used in the photos and videos is a Hayward S180T top mount sand filter. The images are of a similar filter. Obviously not all filters are...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[mariettapoolguy]

I am backwashing every 1-2 days at this point. Last backwash was yesterday. Right now it is about 5% above starting PSI. By the time I realized the error of my ways on the pucks, three had completely dissolved (the ones in the skimmer basket) and the 3 in the floater were almost dissolved (but I removed them anyway).

I guess I was hoping by this point to see at least incremental progress in the cloudiness. I will give the DE a shot. When I google it, THD and Leslies only have 25 lb bags. Is there any place that sells smaller quantities?

 

[HermanTX]

I will give the DE a shot. When I google it, THD and Leslies only have 25 lb bags. Is there any place that sells smaller quantities?

Unlikely, that is the standard size I have always seen.

 

[Mdragger88]

Hth brand sells it as “pool filter aid” in a 10# box. I have bought it at Walmart before.
You may also search up filter fiber (Jacks) or cellulose fiber - its more expensive but it comes in smaller bags. Its like fluff so it weighs nothing.
When it comes to backwashing…
A dirty sand filter actually works better, (thats kinda what the fiber or D E does is dirty it up a bit so it catches more)
Wait to backwash until psi rises 25% over clean pressure.