The water was a bit cloudier than I would want yesterday, so I checked some levels. PH = 7.5, FC = 4, TA = 60. I heard lower TA can sometimes lead to cloudy water, and added 3 lbs of baking soda (acc to Pool Math) to get to 70. Repeated the test today 24 hours later and again I'm getting 60 TA. Water is a little less cloudy though. Should I add more baking soda?
No more baking soda for now.
You can bump the FC up +5 and see if it helps. It has definitely happened before without other possibilities. For example being brand new before sun screen slathered swimmers jumped in. Get some scum balls or toss 6 tennis balls in for the poor man's version. They work great.
It's an indoor pool. For the most part, no one is wearing sunscreen when getting in the pool, and it's only been used once since the liner was installed. Ordered the scumballs and will throw them in tomorrow to see if it helps.
It's been holding for a while. Again, the pool is indoors, and there is an automatic pool cover on it 100% of the time, unless people are swimming
Yes. Case and point why you don't have any other reasons for it.
Yes again. Which is why I asked.
Had you dipped below minimum and had the start of an algae bloom, you wouldn't be holding FC and it could totally explain the cloudiness. So we can probably rule out organic matter and point back to the new liner oils / weeping as the cause.
Not in recent memory lol. I had a few bad experiences and ended up with a pool full of DE, both with an older filter, and with a literally brand new one (that had a defect). I've been traumatized and cant imagine having to vacuum the pool another 50 times to get the DE out if it happens again!
And also exactly what I wanted to hear. It means it's likely time, regardless of what the PSI says. If the filter isn't working to its ability, either debris or full of old algae, or a grid tore / ripped / broke ...... it could very well be the reason for your cloudiness. You need FC period. Water goes stagnant pretty quick with or without sunlight. Fine that the algae probably won't grow, but there are plenty of things that will fester.
You're probably right, it's definitely time. I'll get the FC up a bit now and see if that has any impact. Scumballs will be here tomorrow. I'll report back this weekend and see how things are looking. If I see no real improvement, then I'll have to bite the bullet and backwash/clean the filter. Only catch is that my twins are hoping for a pool party in the next month or two, so as much as I'd like to do it before then, just not going to risk the DE-mageddon until after that party happens.
backwashing doesn't involve taking it apart. Just turn the MPV (pump off) then send the light stuff out to waste. Alot of times that's all you need. I get it. I do. Bad experiences can leave deep scars. But put 2022 to work for you. Watch the YouTube video of your filter 15 times. Have it playing and pause it as needed the day of. It will be like having a pro there to guide you in person.