I'm about to hit a wall

[Zoilaa]

I've been at this since 5/13. I still have a cloudy pool. I've been doing all the things and it's still not clear. Attaching pictures as of a couple hours ago and my numbers. What is wrong? I am exhausted and broke.

 

[Texas Splash]

Could you post a couple pics of the entire from a couple angles please so we can see everything?

 

[Zoilaa]

I've been at this since 5/13. I still have a cloudy pool. I've been doing all the things and it's still not clear. Attaching pictures as of a couple hours ago and my numbers. What is wrong? I am exhausted and broke.

 

[Zoilaa]

Yes I backwash, but not after adding chems, yes I rinse after backwashing, yes I change my skimmer socks, yes I scrub and or vacuum almost daily. No algae, just sand and dirt mostly. Hayward chlorinator is full. Pump runs 24x7.

 

[wireform]

If you're slamming according to the pictures you've been below too many times for the FC to work.

 

[Zoilaa]

If you're slamming according to the pictures you've been below too many times for the FC to work.

If you're slamming according to the pictures you've been below too many times for the FC to work.

Well, I'm not able to test all day. I have a job and other things to do. I've added the recommended amounts per CYA levels ( which kept changing) and pool calculator. CC seems to be steady at .5 now. No algae present. Some sand and leaves and bugs in vacuum. Perhaps I should stop SLAM and try to get all levels normalized.

Could you post a couple pics of the entire from a couple angles please so we can see everything?

Done

 

[Texas Splash]

Some things that caught my eye:
- Hayward chlorinator full? Tab feeder? If so, I would remove those tabs right away. You don't want a higher CYA from tabs.
- Can the ladder be removed? There could be algae in the rails. Quite common.
- Is there a large light with a niche behind it? If so, the light should be removed and niche cleaned. If you have the smaller LED lights disregard.
- You can't see it now, but if there's a main drain it could be suspect as well. When you get the opportunity, remove the drain cover to inspect/clean.
- Be sure (as sure as you can) about the CYA. If you're closer to 60, the FC level should be 24.

Work & stuff is understandable. Can't stop life for TFP. Do the best you can. Use just liquid chlorine though and don't try to over-shoot the FC level just because you might be gone for a while. Increase it when you get home. Slow & steady is best. I suspect you are close to transitioning from cloudy to more clear.

 

[Zoilaa]

Some things that caught my eye:
- Hayward chlorinator full? Tab feeder? If so, I would remove those tabs right away. You don't want a higher CYA from tabs.
- Can the ladder be removed? There could be algae in the rails. Quite common.
- Is there a large light with a niche behind it? If so, the light should be removed and niche cleaned. If you have the smaller LED lights disregard.
- You can't see it now, but if there's a main drain it could be suspect as well. When you get the opportunity, remove the drain cover to inspect/clean.
- Be sure (as sure as you can) about the CYA. If you're closer to 60, the FC level should be 24.

Work & stuff is understandable. Can't stop life for TFP. Do the best you can. Use just liquid chlorine though and don't try to over-shoot the FC level just because you might be gone for a while. Increase it when you get home. Slow & steady is best. I suspect you are close to transitioning from cloudy to more clear.

Thank you. Hmm, my chlorinator is full. So I guess I'll shut it off. I suppose I can remove the ladder. Not sure about light niche, never fiddled with that. I spent the last 2 days reducing amd adding more water, now I'm at 50. Pool is only slightly clearer...thank you for your response! Resuming SLAM.

 

[ManiacalMama]

Your calcium went from 175 to 725 in 10 days? Or is that a typo? I feel like I've read high calcium along with high TA can cause cloudiness, though I've never experienced it myself.
If that is not a typo, can you account for how it rose so fast?

 

[Zoilaa]

Your calcium went from 175 to 725 in 10 days? Or is that a typo? I feel like I've read high calcium along with high TA can cause cloudiness, though I've never experienced it myself.
If that is not a typo, can you account for how it rose so fast?

I think it's right, according to kit, 29 drops X 25 =725. I added 12 lbs of calcium chloride on May 21st. I was at 175 and according to pool math calculator, I should have added 13 lbs.

 

[Mdragger88]

Also, aside from the other things suggested above,
How often are you backwashing?
You should wait until pressure rises 25% over clean pressure. Sand actually filters better when its a little dirty.
When you have the ability to be home & watch the psi you can try adding a little pool grade DE to help catch the finer particles.

Add DE to a Sand Filter

A clean pool filter will increase the efficiency of your pool! ... your filter are to backwash it, clean the manifolds and grids, and add new DE.

www.google.com

 

[mknauss]

I was at 175 and according to pool math calculator, I should have added 13 lbs.

Your pool did not need any calcium. It is vinyl. PoolMath must not be set up as a Vinyl pool as the acceptable range of CH for a vinyl pool goes down to 50 ppm.

 

[ManiacalMama]

Your pool did not need any calcium. It is vinyl. PoolMath must not be set up as a Vinyl pool as the acceptable range of CH for a vinyl pool goes down to 50 ppm.

Could that explain their stubborn cloudiness?
According to their spreadsheet (early on) they had an increasing TA reading.

@Zoilaa , I think it's time for a full set of tests.

 

[Zoilaa]

Also, aside from the other things suggested above,
How often are you backwashing?
You should wait until pressure rises 25% over clean pressure. Sand actually filters better when its a little dirty.
When you have the ability to be home & watch the psi you can try adding a little pool grade DE to help catch the finer particles.

Add DE to a Sand Filter

A clean pool filter will increase the efficiency of your pool! ... your filter are to backwash it, clean the manifolds and grids, and add new DE.

www.google.com

I don't backwash within 24 hrs of adding chems. I do it when it gets close to 20 (normally @ 12) I'm using Fiber Clear which Is similar to D. E. I think.
Removed pool ladder, turned off chlorinator, vacuumed/skimmed, re-tested calcium and am now @ 250.
Things are looking better, and of course it's raining today. Thanks for your input!

 

[Zoilaa]

Your pool did not need any calcium. It is vinyl. PoolMath must not be set up as a Vinyl pool as the acceptable range of CH for a vinyl pool goes down to 50 ppm.

Oh man, I just checked and it is set up as vinyl...? Also, ideal calcium levels according to this site is 50-550 so I'm good.

 

[Zoilaa]

Could that explain their stubborn cloudiness?
According to their spreadsheet (early on) they had an increasing TA reading.

@Zoilaa , I think it's time for a full set of tests.

Calcium retested, now at 250 which is in the ideal range for vinyl. Thank you.

 

[wireform]

Vinyl pools with heater have a CH recommended amount of 200 but without a heater you need very little.

 

[Zoilaa]

I've been at this since 5/13. I still have a cloudy pool. I've been doing all the things and it's still not clear. Attaching pictures as of a couple hours ago and my numbers. What is wrong? I am exhausted and broke.

As of 6/12 7AM: Is this clear enough?

 

[PoolStored]

Have you passed all three SLAM exit criteria?

I would say no...comparison for you...Link-->How Clear is TFP Clear?