My pool is not perfect blue and clear

[shiyang100]

it has been a month since I opened the pool. The pool is clear. But look at the deep end, it is not perfect clear as before. Always feel it is very slightly cloudy. I checked the chemistry regular using K2006.

FC 3.5
CC 0
Ph 7.8-8.0
TA 150
CYA 40
Salt level somewhere 3800-4000


Filter pressure 18-19 psi since opening

My feeling is the cloudiness is caused by pH, and TA, but not sure.

 

[Catanzaro]

I would lower the PH so slightly, but before you do this, please check your CSI numbers in pool math. Also, I would run overnight test to rule out any problems. If your liner is faded, with the sun shining on the deep end, the water could appear to be cloudy.

Have you been brushing the pool walls regularly, especially in the deep end? Your TA could be contributing to your high PH and you will consume more chlorine at higher PH levels.

 

[shiyang100]

Yes, I brush the deep end every couple of days.

I do have concern of pH and TA.

 

[shiyang100]

Just read pool school article regarding TA for SWG pool. The recommended range is 60-80, but I am at 150. How can I lower the TA? Does this link to my high pH?

 

[Jimrahbe]

shi,

TA and pH go together hand in hand.. You can add Muriatic Acid which will lower both pH and TA and then you can aerate to bring your pH back up.

Here is a link to the Pool School Instructions... Pool School - Lower Total Alkalinity

Thanks for posting,

Jim R.

 

[Richard320]

If you have really high CH like I do, the pool loses some sparkle when the pH rises.

What is your CH level? Low CH doesn't matter to a vinyl pool, but high CH can still cause scaling. You need to check that.

 

[shiyang100]

Do yo think I need to adjust CYA level as well? Thanks.

 

[borjis]

you should yes, raise the CYA to 80 to help the swg maintain FC levels.

But the cloudyness, if it is algae starting should be addressed first.

 

[shiyang100]

I am not quite sure if this is the Algae. My FC has been stable at 3-4. Overnight chlorine loss shows nothing. CC is 0. Is that still possible with Algae?

 

[Catanzaro]

Algae is very easy to detect. Brush up the green shots and the algae will break apart in a cloud.

 

[Richard320]

So... it's been 8 hours.

Has anything been done to the chemistry, or is this just speculation to kill time while stuck at work?

SLAM or not, the pH needs to come down some.
If pH adjustment changes nothing, or if an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test proves that something is consuming the FC and it isn't the sun, then a SLAM Process is called for and it's easier to do with lower CYA.

Once the sparkle returns, then raise CYA.

End Sermon.

 

[shiyang100]

haha, stuck at work now. Will work on chemistry over the weekend.

 

[BasicTek]

haha, stuck at work now. Will work on chemistry over the weekend.

just curious how old is your filter and have you inspected them really deep in the seams if older than a year... I had a seemingly clean cartridge filter cause me all sorts of issues because it was gunking up in the seams in my case I didn't know the age of the filter.

 

[shiyang100]

CH is at 140. I assume it is fine with vinyl pool. My concern is around high pH, and TA.

 

[Richard320]

CH is at 140. I assume it is fine with vinyl pool. My concern is around high pH, and TA.

You're in good shape, there. So add some acid to lower pH to 7.2 and let the pump run a while. Turn the SWG up a few %. Leave the pump run today and if things don't improve to your satisfaction, shut off the SWG around sunset, take a FC reading an hour later, and leave the pump run overnight. Set your alarm clock early and recheck FC tomorrow morning before the sun hits the pool. That'll tell you if it's algae or not.

 

[shiyang100]

Thanks Richard. Will do it.