Dull water… Is it just me?

[lucasaltic]

Hey all. Trying to decide if it’s just me, but my water just seems a little dull to me. Water is very clear and I can see detail all the way at the bottom, but it still seems a little dull or hazy to me. I can’t really put my finger on it. Maybe just the TFP spidey sense starting to develop.


Can’t really see it in the photo (if it’s even there at all…)

Here are my most recent test results:


Yes, hardness is a little low as is CYA from lots of recent rainfall. But I have been noticing it off and on before all the rains when chemistry was spot on. I notice it more when the sun is out and shining directly on the pool. Hard to explain but just seems a little… unpolished. Maybe it’s just a trick of the light? Anything I should be looking for?

Am I crazy?

 

[Saturn94]

IMHO, Your FC is a bit low. That could explain why it looks a little dull. Get that FC up ASAP.

The Free Chlorine and Cyanuric Acid Relationship

Managing your cyanuric acid and Free Chlorine levels is key to stabilizing your pool. Learn how these two items affect each other.

www.troublefreepool.com

If you’re using a SWCG, you might be “technically” at or above the minimum on the FC/CYA chart, but in my experience and from reading countless posts, dropping below Target is an invitation for issues.

 

[Texas Splash]

Crazy? You have the TP curse - obsessives water clarity. We all have it. You know your water, and if something is off, it probably is. Perhaps not enough for a full-blown algae outbreak, but some stress on the water. I would bump-up the FC right away to about 6-7 with liquid chlorine. Keep it that way today and see if there's a change tomorrow. If not, keep the FC elevated then do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. If you pass the OCLT, add about 10 ppm of stabilizer as well.

 

[Lake Placid]

Since it hasn’t been suggested yet I’d also suggest ruling out filtration issues. With DE, a polished look shouldn’t be an issue to achieve. How is filter pressure and flow rate? Has any work been done that allowed DE to escape the filter and it’s a little low? I’ve run into issues when replacing a mpv that let enough de out of the filter to require a backwash and a full fill to restore “polished” clarity. It‘s certainly worth it to double check and rule it out as a potential contributor/cause.

 

[lucasaltic]

Since it hasn’t been suggested yet I’d also suggest ruling out filtration issues. With DE, a polished look shouldn’t be an issue to achieve. How is filter pressure and flow rate? Has any work been done that allowed DE to escape the filter and it’s a little low? I’ve run into issues when replacing a mpv that let enough de out of the filter to require a backwash and a full fill to restore “polished” clarity. It‘s certainly worth it to double check and rule it out as a potential contributor/cause.

Oh sorry, may be some confusion as I didn’t clarify which pool this is. It’s the SWCG pool with a cartridge filter, so not DE. Admittedly, I have not cleaned the filter in about 8 weeks. Been going off of the pressure rise which seems to be pretty moderate. I’ll service the filter this week and report back.

Another thing I didn’t mention is that I found one of those PoolRX doohickeys in my pump basket when I moved in. I immediately took it out. Based on the amount of water exhange I get here in FL this time of year, I would think any copper is mostly gone by now though.

 

[lucasaltic]

Crazy? You have the TP curse - obsessives water clarity. We all have it. You know your water, and if something is off, it probably is. Perhaps not enough for a full-blown algae outbreak, but some stress on the water. I would bump-up the FC right away to about 6-7 with liquid chlorine. Keep it that way today and see if there's a change tomorrow. If not, keep the FC elevated then do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. If you pass the OCLT, add about 10 ppm of stabilizer as well.

Haha, thanks. Was starting to think I’d lost it. Interestingly this FC reading is down from about 8 ppm 2 days ago. I actually dropped the SWCG output from 25 to 20. I did notice the unpolished look then too. I’ve noticed it off and on since move-in 3 months ago. Incidentally, pool math says I’m right on target, but I do trust the wisdom of the experts. I’ll bump output and do an overnight FC loss test and go from there.

 

[mknauss]

You pH is shown as 7.5 -- but 'dull' water can sometimes show up when the pH rises. So I would confirm the pH level.

 

[lucasaltic]

You pH is shown as 7.5 -- but 'dull' water can sometimes show up when the pH rises. So I would confirm the pH level.

I’ll recheck. It’s been oddly stable at that level for about a week. I did recently add borates so that may be the reason for the improved stability though.

 

[lucasaltic]

@mknauss pH confirmed at 7.5 with TF-100 drop test.

 

[lucasaltic]

Update: Okay, so it would seem my developing spidey senses picked up on an algae bloom in progress because my water went from almost imperceptibly “unpolished” looking to noticeably hazy over the 24 hours since my initial post. After brushing the sides, it got downright murky. So I cleaned the filter (which was nasty but not horrible) and proceeded to do a SLAM. I used liquid chlorine with the SWG in superchlorinate mode to assist. About 24 hours into the SLAM, the water cleared up significantly. I’m now doing the OCLT. Crossing my fingers I pass tonight. For anyone interested, you can see the link to my test results in my signature. This was the Home pool. This is my first SLAM so any observations or advice will be much appreciated.

 

[wireform]

I'd do an OCLT now with the SWCG off and see what you have in the morning. Even if the OCLT proves good I'd still slam as you're missing one of the criteria but at least you know if there's algae or not.

 

[lucasaltic]

I'd do an OCLT now with the SWCG off and see what you have in the morning. Even if the OCLT proves good I'd still slam as you're missing one of the criteria but at least you know if there's algae or not.

Just performed the OCLT. I got 0 ppm drop, 0 CC and water is and has been crystal clear for at least 24 hours. Latest test results in link. I think I’m done… now to add some calcium chloride…

 

[Newdude]

One gallon of 10% is 10FC for you, and SLAM is only 12. If it was my pool, and I notices the sparkle gone, I'd bring it to SLAM on the spot with less than a gallon for cheap insurance. It would likely be clear by the time that evening rolled around for the OCLT, which I would still perform to be sure. Most of that gallon would be used in regular service over the next two or three days and only pennies wasted from the higher FC burnoff.


If I was wrong, and nothing was wrong chemistry wise, I'd feel less rushed while figuring out the filter or whatever may be causing the dullness.

 

[lucasaltic]

One gallon of 10% is 10FC for you, and SLAM is only 12. If it was my pool, and I notices the sparkle gone, I'd bring it to SLAM on the spot with less than a gallon for cheap insurance. It would likely be clear by the time that evening rolled around for the OCLT, which I would still perform to be sure. Most of that gallon would be used in regular service over the next two or three days and only pennies wasted from the higher FC burnoff.


If I was wrong, and nothing was wrong chemistry wise, I'd feel less rushed while figuring out the filter or whatever may be causing the dullness.

Not sure we're on the same page! I did do the SLAM over the prior 48 hours. I had taken your advice and done exactly what you said above and performed the SLAM "just in case". To get it to SLAM levels (24 ppm), I needed to add about 3 gallons of bleach (this is the Home Pool). I checked every few hours and kept it there for two days and 3 nights until I hit all criteria. Probably could have shaved a day off of that because I did not perform the OCLT the first night and I do think I would have passed then. The whole history of the SLAM, levels, and addition rates are in the PoolMath link in my signature. Thanks again. Your guidance has been invaluable!

 

[lucasaltic]

Here are a few after pics. Forgot to take a before but it was gross.

 

[Texas Splash]

 

[lucasaltic]

Looking even better today! Hard to see it with the glare but that black ring is the pool drain.