First time opening my new pool - Very Cloudy Water

[SpykeYs]

Good day

This is my first "fiberglass" pool and I have started a SLAM last night. My water is super cloudy.

My pool is a small 12 x 24 ~5700 gallons with sand filter.

Before my SLAM:

FC: 2
PH 7.5
CH: 250
TA: 60
CYA: 55

For my SLAM I am aiming FC: 22. Pool math told me to put 8.2 liters of 6% bleach. I did put 8 liters yesterday evening.

This morning: FC: 40 !!!

I am using Purox Liquid which I assume is 15% and not 6%.... I will do another test around 6PM today and see where I'm at.

What should I do next ? My pool is VERY cloudy. I have my robot scrubbing 2-3 times a day.

Thanks everyone

 

[aeh0603]

We always round up on CYA so your CYA is 60. The scale on the tube is logrhymic so you can't really guess between the lines. This means your SLAM target is 24 FC.

I looked up purox liquid chlorine on the Canadian tire website and it says it is 10% for the strength so 8 liters would raise your FC by 37.

To answer your question of what you should do now, really the best thing is to just wait it out. Your FC will drop much faster in the sun at the higher concentration so keep an eye on it.

While you wait for FC to come down, continue with the remaining steps of the SLAM process. Brush at least once per day, vacuum as needed, clean your filter whenever the pressure rises by 25% over the clean pressure.

One more note about when it's safe to swim:
It is considered safe to swim when FC is in between minimum and SLAM level for your CYA and you can see the bottom of the deepest part of your pool.

 

[SpykeYs]

Good day !

My FC level has not dropped overnight but my pool is definitely cloudy.

Yesterday 9PM: FC - 25
This morning: FC - 25

I'm confused.

My sand filter is 24/7 and I did a backwash this morning (unfortunately my gauge is broken).

Thanks for any help ! Filter has been running for 3 days with no improvement at all

 

[mknauss]

First criteria for a successful SLAM is crystal clear water. You are not there.

Sand filters are very slow to clear a pool. Patience. You do need a pressure gauge. Get one today. You should only be backwashing when your filter pressure is 25% higher than your clean filter pressure.

 

[mknauss]

If you used your Poolmath every time you tested and/or added chemicals, it really helps us see your progression.

 

[aeh0603]

Good day !

My FC level has not dropped overnight but my pool is definitely cloudy.

Yesterday 9PM: FC - 25
This morning: FC - 25

I'm confused.

My sand filter is 24/7 and I did a backwash this morning (unfortunately my gauge is broken).

Thanks for any help ! Filter has been running for 3 days with no improvement at all

That's good! As mentioned above you are not done with your SLAM yet, but you passed the OCLT, which is one of the 3 requirements to end your SLAM. This means the algae is basically dead and you are mostly just waiting for your filter to remove all the dead algae.

Continue brushing every day and maintaining your FC at 24 at least 3 times a day until you pass all 3 criteria. This is the part of a SLAM that can take some POP (pool owner patience).

You should also prioritize replacing your filter pressure gauge as soon as possible. A dirty filter works better than a clean one, and without a pressure gauge, you can't know the right time to clean your filter.

There is also a trick many people with sand filters use to improve their filtration and speed up this portion of the SLAM (adding DE as a filter aid), but this trick is impossible without a working pressure gauge.

With regards to your statement of no improvement in 3 days... It's possible it actually is improving, but at a slow rate that is hard to notice. One thing you can do is start taking a picture of your pool everyday at that same angle looking down the steps, and another pointing down to the main drain in the deep end. When comparing pictures from day to day you should be able to see slight improvements in the clarity easier.