Help with cloudy pool

Jump to latest Follow Reply
K

KLJ

0
May 4, 2017
20
OH
My pool is cloudy... was green and cloudy starting 1 week ago.
Test results are

Fc 3.43
Total chlorine 3.73
Combined chlorine 0.3
ph 7.8
alkalinity 111
Calcium 121
cya27
phosphates 532

We have brushed sides and bottom, vacuumed 2x day and backwashed. Bringing chlorine levels up to 10. By the next morning and throughout the day it drops to around 3-4. It seems to be clearing up but remains cloudy with slight tinge of green. we use the highest level of bleach. It is a new pool this season and we are struggling to get everything balanced. Getting frustrated. any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Your really going to need to purchase one of the recommended test kits- either the TF-100 or K2006C if we can be of any real assistance. The pool store results don't hold much weight around here due to their unreliability.

Getting rid of algae is primarily a chemistry issue and involves dosing the pool up with high levels of chlorine which need to be maintained over the course of at least a few days and possibly longer. This is what we call a SLAM and is a process which is methodical and based on precise and reliable test results.
 
My first suggestion is to stop going to the pool store. Their only response it to sell you something.

I will tell you, it didn't turn green overnight and it will take time to clear. But, we can teach you how to get it sparkling and keep it that way for a lot less money than the pool store.

Not much credence is given to pool store testing around here. While you would think that a "professional" would be the best, unfortunately in most cases it is quite the opposite. Between employees who blindly trust the word of chemical sales representatives and high school kids working in the pool store for the summer you end up with poor results from their testing. But, what can you do?? We base our pool care system on accurate testing and only adding what the pool needs, when it needs it. To do that you need your own accurate test kit. Order a TF100 test kit and at least include the XL option. That will give you what you need while you are clearing the pool, and probably enough reagents for a couple of years normal use.

While you wait for it to get delivered, you have a homework reading assignment. Start with ABCs of Water Chemistry and Turning Your Green Swamp Back into a Sparkling Oasis
 
You need to complete the SLAM Process process. Keeping the pool at shock level as much as possible is key to clearing the pool. If work prevents you from being able to attend to the pool during the day, raise it to shock level before work, right after work, and 1 or 2 times before bed. Vacuum after work when you can.
Continue to brush daily and backwash when the pressure rises 20% above the clean pressure reading.

What are you using to test the water?
 
The above 2 posts are 100% accurate! If the cost of the kit is a factor, let my experience hopefully persuade you as to the importance of having the proper test kit. I was following here for awhile, but hesitant about the price of the kit (this was last year). Had 2 swamp attacks within a month :(. After spending well over $100 for the first attack for the pool stores "magic potions", I bought the kit (rush order). Followed what I learned here and haven't looked back since. This year alone I have spent far less on bleach and a few reagents for the kit then I spent on just that one bad stint with algae. Trust the experts here without fail. Good Luck!
 
We have the k2006c test kit. We have used it daily or sometimes 2x day. We are out of the cya solution.... because when we first filled our pool it kept reading 0. so we added stabilizer but had no way to test what our cya was up to. So that is why i took my water to the pool store was just to get the cya reading. We don't test for phosphates...that was a pool store reading. our results earlier that day was
FC 10
CC 0
ph 7.9
Alk 130
calc 150
 
So you really want to order some more CYA reagent. Not sure how your supplies are going but ordering some more testing reagents for the FAS-DPD test might be a good idea while your at it.

Your CYA level is crucial to performing the SLAM.
 
No. It has been proven over and over that pool store test results are not reliable nor repeatable. The one test that is typically incorrect is the one for CYA.

Take care.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
Oh well crud! ok so for now... until I can get the reagent the pool math says add
133 oz of 12.5 bleach
353 oz Calcium chloride
30 oz stabilizer

do I need to test for borate?
does this look reasonable to you?
 
Yes and no. Calcium chloride is not needed as you have a vinyl pool. Look at PoolMath towards the bottom right of the page - select vinyl as your pool surface.

I would maintain a FC of no more than 16 until you get your CYA tested and confirmed.

You need to add muriatic acid to get your pH to 7.2 prior to starting the SLAM

Ignore borates, you do not have them unless you added them.
 
Is there a sticky on how to use one of these test kits you recommend?

Also, if my water is cloudy, is that safe to swim in? What causes the cloudy water? I don't have algae problems. My SWG seems to be taken care of the chlorine levels to prevent that.

Thanks!
Roxx

tim5055 said:
My first suggestion is to stop going to the pool store. Their only response it to sell you something.

I will tell you, it didn't turn green overnight and it will take time to clear. But, we can teach you how to get it sparkling and keep it that way for a lot less money than the pool store.

Not much credence is given to pool store testing around here. While you would think that a "professional" would be the best, unfortunately in most cases it is quite the opposite. Between employees who blindly trust the word of chemical sales representatives and high school kids working in the pool store for the summer you end up with poor results from their testing. But, what can you do?? We base our pool care system on accurate testing and only adding what the pool needs, when it needs it. To do that you need your own accurate test kit. Order a TF100 test kit and at least include the XL option. That will give you what you need while you are clearing the pool, and probably enough reagents for a couple of years normal use.

While you wait for it to get delivered, you have a homework reading assignment. Start with ABCs of Water Chemistry and Turning Your Green Swamp Back into a Sparkling Oasis
Click to expand...
 
RoxxW said:
Is there a sticky on how to use one of these test kits you recommend?

Also, if my water is cloudy, is that safe to swim in? What causes the cloudy water? I don't have algae problems. My SWG seems to be taken care of the chlorine levels to prevent that.

Thanks!
Roxx
Click to expand...

If your water is cloudy you most likely have an algae problem. You need to run an OCLT to determine that. Pool School - Perform the Overnight FC Loss Test (OCLT)

How to run tests - see Pool School - Extended Test Kit Directions
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply