I just can’t get my pool clear. Please help.

[soolaimon]

I’m a new pool owner. This was just built late last summer. See specs in my signature.

We had our pool builder close The pool last fall and open it in the first week of May. After vacuuming a few times to get the winter debris out the pool looked great.

About 10 days ago we noticed our pool was getting slightly cloudy. I realized I hadn’t added chlorine tablets in a while. There was still a few mostly dissolved tablets so it was not empty. I added 6 more and assumed the cloudiness would go away soon. I also backwashed the filter often, brushed and vacuumed as well.

The next day it was worse and now had a slight green tint to it. I was still hoping the chlorine I added was going to start working so I let it go another two days. See attachment. It did end up getting worse. I went to the pool store and had my water tested and showed him this picture. He recommended ash to lower the PH so that I could then apply green to clear. After that I was supposed to super shock the pool 3x by adding 4lbs of chlorinated shock 12 hours apart.

I did the instructions minus the 3rd super shock because the algae was gone and the free choline level was over 12 ppm.

I went back to the pool store and he said not doing the 3rd shock was fine if I thought the algae was dead. He then recommended a high phosphate treatment and a clarifier that would work with my high chlorine levels.

I have had my pump running 24x7 during this whole process. Here is what the pool looks like today. I can barely see the bottom of the shallow end. it seems to be getting more cloudy and not less. Here are the water test results from my latest trip to the store.

free chlorine 12.02
total chlorine 13.44
ph 7.3
alkalinity 123
calcium 157
CA 39
phosphates 152
TDS 750.

Any advise?

 

[Newdude]

Hey soolaimon and Welcome !!!!

We do things quite a bit different than the pool store here. The whole system revolves around you being able to test your pool with reliable results, unlike the mystery wheel at the pool store. Have a read ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry

We use Taylor drop based test kits. Either the k2006c (widely available) or the TF100 / TFpro from tftestkits.net.

You will need a kit and you will need to follow the SLAM Process. We walk a few people through this every day, and turn them into their own pool pros, able to keep it clear on the cheap.

 

[soolaimon]

Thanks for the info and the links. I did order a Taylor kit that tests 5 things. It should be here on Monday. I will let you know how this progresses.

 

[dfwnoob]

You specifically need one of the tests outlined above: a K-2006C or a TFTestKits model. Can you let us know which test you purchased so we can fill in the gaps?

 

[soolaimon]

Hi new dude. It is the Taylor K-1004.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00305A80O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

 

[Newdude]

It is the Taylor K-1004.

Is there any way you can return it ? You need 3 more tests and to buy them individually they are about $32 each.

Cya test kit
FC over 5 kit
Calcium test

 

[soolaimon]

I was able to cancel the order and order the 2006c. It should arrive in two days. I’ll post the readings then.

 

[soolaimon]

Okay. 2006c Test kit arrived today. Pool has most cleared up from pictures but wanted to post my readings to see if I need to do anything right now. This is the first test I’ve done with the Taylor kit so I’m hoping I didn’t mess anything up.

chlorine 9.6
CC .2
PH 7.0
Alkalinity 100
CA 48

I just did these readings and ran out of light. not sure if I got all that’s needed. From what I have reported are there any recommendations?

 

[Newdude]

I just did these readings and ran out of light. not sure if I got all that’s needed. From what I have reported are there any recommendations?

You did great !!!

Switch FC to 10 ml instead of 25 ml to save supplies. Use one scoop instead of 2, and each drop is 1/2 FC. I never cared much for the .2/.5 anyway. The 9 of your 9.6 is the important part. If it's 9.5 or 9.2 you are free and clear of minimum for a CYA of 50. See FC/CYA Levels

Always round up CYA to the next 10. The scale is logarithmic and halfway isn't halfway (and so on). As such, save yourself the trouble of trying to read 43 and only fill to the 10s. Do a lightning fast glance and if you see the dot, add 10 more and try again. You want overhead sun for this outside. Put your back to the sun and hold the googely eye tube at your belt buckle. Run this again tomorrow or the first sunny day to confirm your 50.

Read up on the SLAM link above. Follow it to a 'T'. Ask anything at any time.

We've been seeing alot of pollen clouds up north lately. If the pool isn't chewing through chlorine, it going to be mostly/all pollen. Both algae and pollen take a good deal of filtering, usually a week or more.

Keep us posted. You got this.

 

[soolaimon]

Okay here are my readings as of today.

FC: 9.0
CC: 1.0
PH: 7.0
Base demand: 5 drops brings it to 7.4
Alkalinity: 100
Calcium: 240
CA: 50

based on my readings I know I need to SLAM due to high combined chlorine. However the slam thing wants the ph up a little first. The pool is also getting slightly cloudy.

What would be my next step? Keep in mind that I currently would like to use up the supplies I have from the pool store before purchasing new recommended supplies. I currently have ph Up and down as well as a lot of chlorinated shock.

 

[soolaimon]

Okay here are my readings as of today.

FC: 9.0
CC: 1.0
PH: 7.0
Base demand: 5 drops brings it to 7.4
Alkalinity: 100
Calcium: 240
CA: 50

based on my readings I know I need to SLAM due to high combined chlorine. However the slam thing wants the ph up a little first. The pool is also getting slightly cloudy.

What would be my next step? Keep in mind that I currently would like to use up the supplies I have from the pool store before purchasing new recommended supplies. I currently have ph Up and down as well as a lot of chlorinated shock.

In addition, looking at the Slam chart, based on my readings above it looks like I should aim for shocking to get a FC of 20?

For my size pool how much shock is this? Should I add a 1/2 pound at a time, wait an hour, test, and keep repeating until I get to 20? Or should I put it all in at once and if so how do I calculate how much to add?

 

[Newdude]

In addition, looking at the Slam chart, based on my readings above it looks like I should aim for shocking to get a FC of 20?

SLAM FC is 40% of the CYA. In this case, 20.

For my size pool how much shock is this?

Download PoolMath and set up your pools info. It has all the common chlorine to choose from. We reccomend liquid chlorine instead of the shocks which will add CYA or Calcium also.

You add at once to get to 20 FC. Have a read of the process. It is a *process*, not a one and done, or a once a day for a week thing. Read here : SLAM Process

Read it. Process it. Read it again. Process that too. Ask away and we will fill in any blanks.

 

[soolaimon]

Thanks for link to PoolMath. I installed it and it allowed me to pick which shock chemical and the amount per my test results. I added that tonight to the pool. I’ll follow the slam process and see where it gets me.

 

[Newdude]

I’ll follow the slam process and see where it gets me.

It gets you access to 'the club'. We welcomed you when you got here and we will help you every step of the way, but only you can earn your wings.

How Clear is TFP Clear? Let's See (Pics Only Please).

How clear should my water be? A very common question. Here is mine on a calm morning where I could finally vacuum. Yes I know, I'm still manually vacuuming. It took me 7 years to finally get an SWG, I'm working on a robot. :) So now let's see your water clarity.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[MITBeta]

it allowed me to pick which shock chemica

Which type of shock are you using?

 

[soolaimon]

The package says 73% cal-hypo. It was one of the choices in pool math.

 

[TwoBananas]

The package says 73% cal-hypo. It was one of the choices in pool math.

Did you ever get your pool clear?

 

[soolaimon]

I did get my pool clear and have been able to keep it that way most of the summer.

Today however the pool is looking a little green. I tested this morning and these were my readings…

TC 12
FC 0
PH 7.8
ALK 120
CA 100

I added 3 lbs of PH down. I backwashed and refilled about 1k gallons. I brushed the pool. While brushing I could see small clouds of green. I thought if FC was zero I wouldn’t need to shock.

The pool is greener now than this morning. Any suggestions?

 

[wireform]

Not sure I'm reading this correctly but if FC=0 then TC of 12 is cc?

 

[soolaimon]

Sorry meant combined chlorine was zero. Just retested and now my readings are:

FC: 10
CC: .2
PH: 7.4
ALK: 120