Extremely Cloudy Water

[hfisher]

Power had been run underground from my barn to a post next to the pump. Right now the pump is just plugged into that box on the post, which does have a switch but I want an electrician to make sure it’s grounded properly and I don’t want the pump plug just out in the open. I want it wired in to that switch. Hopefully that happens today. Do you think I should undo the pump and add the 50lb of sand it’s supposed to have?

What test kit are you using?

TF-100 and i bout the SLAM add

CYA 40
TA 170
ph 7.8
FC 32
CC .5
CH 300

Good deal - when you get the filter powered on and circulating water; give it about an hour or so - and then run a full chem panel.

I started several days ago. My initial tests were
July 22
CYA 40
TA 170
Ph 7.8
FC 32
CC 1
CH 30O
I let the chlorine drop to 6, tested ph, added muriatic acid to bring ph to 7.2, and then brought chlorine back up to SLAM and I’ve been checking chlorine about ever 4 hours. Late afternoon it has needed a boost but mostly stays above SLAM. I put my CYA as 50 in the calculator because I think I was working too hard to see that black dot and I’d rather err on the side of too much chlorine. I also think my CH is higher than that. I can’t really tell at what point the test water goes from purple to blue. I did it again this morning and kept dropping until I was confident it was fully blue and got 425 CH so…. not sure how important that is.

 

[mknauss]

Do you think I should undo the pump and add the 50lb of sand it’s supposed to have?

The pump should have a switch on it to change speed. Have the electrician check it.
25% less sand is likely effecting your filter efficiency.

 

[mknauss]

Your SLAM level FC is 16 ppm. No reason to go above that.

 

[hfisher]

The pump should have a switch on it to change speed. Have the electrician check it.
25% less sand is likely effecting your filter efficiency.

Thank you for your patience and help. I think the sand needs added asap. I’ll definitely see if the electrician can put the switch back on. Would the lower speed be beneficial now or is full speed best during slam?

 

[mknauss]

The lower speed would be beneficial now and in the future. Now you are likely blowing fines right through your sand filter. A bit more sand and a lower pump rate should filter much better.

 

[hfisher]

Apparently I’ve had 120v of electricity in the pool for the last couple weeks. I wonder how/if that’s impacted the water chemistry. It’s revolved now. The plot just keeps thickening.

 

[hfisher]

I just wanted to thank you all for sharing your knowledge with me. I’m sure I have more to learn but I’ll be operating on a much more SOLID foundation moving forward. Started the slam on July 24 and finished on Aug 2nd. I’ve had crystal clear water since. It’s really quite simple once you understand the process.