Need help balancing water for daughter's birthday party in 2 days
- Thread starter jhuehne
- Start date
Sounds good, check again in half an hour or so, and tell us what you find.
82 degrees isn't bad, especially with little kids. It's the adults who stick a toe in and dither at that temperature, while the kids cannonball past them.
82 degrees isn't bad, especially with little kids. It's the adults who stick a toe in and dither at that temperature, while the kids cannonball past them.
LOL By George I believe you might just make it. Well done, jhuehne, you've worked hard. I'm sure your daughter is going to have an awesome swim party. .
.The water is a bit cloudy. Should I just wait this out? In the past the only thing that has helped clear it is the bag + bottle for the permasalt system. The last 2 weekends I have had to do double treatment (2bag + 2bot) and I only did one of each yesterday. Thoughts?
This is the activate and klairate described earlier in this thread.
This is the activate and klairate described earlier in this thread.
Please tell me you didn't use those since you've switched over to using liquid bleach?
Has the water changed since 9:40ish this morning, when you said it was 'pretty clear'? I'm asking for information, not trying to be snarky.
yes.. it is more cloudy now than 9:40
It isn't bad but it is by no means crystal clear like it was before I started this thread.
It isn't bad but it is by no means crystal clear like it was before I started this thread.
You should just continue to run your pump, and brush the pool often to keep circulating anything that might be settling on the bottom.
It is possible the Baking Soda that was incorrectly added or the CYA etc. that was poured into the filter last night has aided in the cloudiness. It could also be that the chlorine is actually cleaning the pool now where as before even though the water looked clear an invisible film could have been built up on the sides, and the bottom from improper chemical maintenance, and now the chlorine is removing that. Hopefully running the pump, brushing often, will allow the pool water to clear more before the party.
The most important thing is the chemicals in the pool at this moment are 100% properly balanced, and 100% safe for the kids to be swimming in, so should it remain cloudy, which I hope it doesn't, it will still be completely safe.
Someone else may have some other suggestions to help clear up the cloudiness quicker, but circulation, filtration, and proper chemical balance are some of the most important factors while doing it. Also, when was the last time you backwashed and rinsed your filter? It is possible the sand in the filter itself is dirty and it is returning dirty water back to the pool. Just some thoughts that might help. Hopefully someone else can offer you some more suggestions. Have a nice day!
It is possible the Baking Soda that was incorrectly added or the CYA etc. that was poured into the filter last night has aided in the cloudiness. It could also be that the chlorine is actually cleaning the pool now where as before even though the water looked clear an invisible film could have been built up on the sides, and the bottom from improper chemical maintenance, and now the chlorine is removing that. Hopefully running the pump, brushing often, will allow the pool water to clear more before the party.
The most important thing is the chemicals in the pool at this moment are 100% properly balanced, and 100% safe for the kids to be swimming in, so should it remain cloudy, which I hope it doesn't, it will still be completely safe.
Someone else may have some other suggestions to help clear up the cloudiness quicker, but circulation, filtration, and proper chemical balance are some of the most important factors while doing it. Also, when was the last time you backwashed and rinsed your filter? It is possible the sand in the filter itself is dirty and it is returning dirty water back to the pool. Just some thoughts that might help. Hopefully someone else can offer you some more suggestions. Have a nice day!
A cloudy pool (usually a sign of algae starting) often takes over a week to clear up correctly when following the SLAM process. You did what you could.
Likely the fact that you are now putting enough chlorine in the water is starting to kill algae that you did not realize was in the pool and that is clouding up the water.
All the ph+ and baking soda could be impacting the clarity as well.
If you can see the bottom of the pool, and the fact that you now have residual chlorine in the water, means that your pool is safe to swim in ... it just may not look perfect.
I hope you have ordered one of the Recommended Test Kits so that you can properly fix the pool next week.
Likely the fact that you are now putting enough chlorine in the water is starting to kill algae that you did not realize was in the pool and that is clouding up the water.
All the ph+ and baking soda could be impacting the clarity as well.
If you can see the bottom of the pool, and the fact that you now have residual chlorine in the water, means that your pool is safe to swim in ... it just may not look perfect.
I hope you have ordered one of the Recommended Test Kits so that you can properly fix the pool next week.
Please report current pH, and also run the TA and CH tests again. And check on chlorine while you're at it, of course.
I'm guessing that you might have some calcium clouding following the last pH Up addition. As I recall, your measured calcium was a bit high. As I understand it, local areas of very high pH (while you are mixing a batch of soda ash into the pool), can cause some calcium to precipitate. It should be temporary, but I'm not sure how long 'temporary' is. This effect would not make the water unsafe. I wouldn't recommend putting anything else in at this point to try to counteract the cloudiness, especially with the various other unknowns in there from the assorted Permasalt chemicals.
This (calcium clouding) not something I know much about, so I hope others will chime in, especially if my guess is totally off the wall.
How bad is the cloudiness, and is it changing at all?
Again, the water should be safe, assuming adequate chlorine levels, even if it isn't perfectly clear at this point. You'll be able to get it sparkling clear in the future, when you're not in such a time crunch.
I'm guessing that you might have some calcium clouding following the last pH Up addition. As I recall, your measured calcium was a bit high. As I understand it, local areas of very high pH (while you are mixing a batch of soda ash into the pool), can cause some calcium to precipitate. It should be temporary, but I'm not sure how long 'temporary' is. This effect would not make the water unsafe. I wouldn't recommend putting anything else in at this point to try to counteract the cloudiness, especially with the various other unknowns in there from the assorted Permasalt chemicals.
This (calcium clouding) not something I know much about, so I hope others will chime in, especially if my guess is totally off the wall.
How bad is the cloudiness, and is it changing at all?
Again, the water should be safe, assuming adequate chlorine levels, even if it isn't perfectly clear at this point. You'll be able to get it sparkling clear in the future, when you're not in such a time crunch.
Last edited:
- May 23, 2015
- 25,706
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I'd like to amplify this point as many other posts said that it was OK to swim in cloudy water.
It is only ok to swim if you can see the bottom of the pool!
This tragic accident happened just this year. If you cannot see your feet clearly at the bottom of the pool, then it is absolutely not safe for the kids to swim. Drowning can happen in less than 30secs and a pool full of raucous children can easily mask one child having trouble swimming. Not trying to be a downer and we all want our kid's pool party to be something to remember forever, just make sure the memories they have are good ones.
Thanks all. I'm out getting supplies now for the party. Balloons, games, decorations, cake, etc . I'll try and test when I get back home.
Yes as Both Jason and Joyful Noise pointed out
Safety should be 1st and foremost, ALWAYS.
Safety should be 1st and foremost, ALWAYS.
Ok.. did all the tests in the kit:
TA: 180
PH: 7.5 or a bit higher
CYA: Still under 30 but the water was more cloudy than initial CYA test (supposed to be as per test instructions)
FC: 5
TH: 570
The water is still a bit cloudy but better than I reported earlier. Maybe the high TH value is contributing?
Water temp is 84 now. The one thing I can't control even with everyone's help is mother nature. I need some sunlight. There is also a 50% chance of rain this afternoon which I hope does not happen.
Go figure.. my water temp was 93 yesterday.
TA: 180
PH: 7.5 or a bit higher
CYA: Still under 30 but the water was more cloudy than initial CYA test (supposed to be as per test instructions)
FC: 5
TH: 570
The water is still a bit cloudy but better than I reported earlier. Maybe the high TH value is contributing?
Water temp is 84 now. The one thing I can't control even with everyone's help is mother nature. I need some sunlight. There is also a 50% chance of rain this afternoon which I hope does not happen.
Go figure.. my water temp was 93 yesterday.
Your numbers look good. Yes 93 would be a lot less chilly than 84 for sure, so maybe the sun will peek out for you in a bit. Hopefully the rain will hold off until After the party (lol knock on wood). I hope the party goes well and that you daughter has a very Happy Birthday.
Please be sure and return to the forum after the party, and order the appropriate test kit too, so we can help teach you how to get your pool in order, and be able to easily and affordably keep it there. Have fun at the party, and have a wonderful day
Please be sure and return to the forum after the party, and order the appropriate test kit too, so we can help teach you how to get your pool in order, and be able to easily and affordably keep it there. Have fun at the party, and have a wonderful day
Ya.. I'll make more posts here for sure. I have alot of questions yet on different things. I appreciate all the help. At least we can get in if the weather permit and the people or kids are brave enough. I have a brother in law who will be getting in regardless. =)
The pH and chlorine levels look fine, as long as the water is clear enough to see the bottom easily, it should be fine... weather permitting, of course. You must have had a cold night to lose 10 degrees, with the solar cover on the pool!
With that CH number (even higher than what you reported yesterday) don't add any more soda ash (or baking soda) for the moment; your pH is fine anyway for swimming, and you don't want to risk more cloudiness.
Once you have time to relax, after the party, we can help you with more long-term balancing, and getting rid of possible algae, in your pool.
- - - Updated - - -
Oh, when you do post again, just continue with this same thread for your chemistry questions. That way people reading have all the history in one place, so you'll get better (more informed) responses.
With that CH number (even higher than what you reported yesterday) don't add any more soda ash (or baking soda) for the moment; your pH is fine anyway for swimming, and you don't want to risk more cloudiness.
Once you have time to relax, after the party, we can help you with more long-term balancing, and getting rid of possible algae, in your pool.
- - - Updated - - -
Oh, when you do post again, just continue with this same thread for your chemistry questions. That way people reading have all the history in one place, so you'll get better (more informed) responses.
The party went great. We didn't get as many in the pool because many did not bring suits due to the pending weather (rain expected). My kids as well as myself and my brother-in-law did go in. We got about an hour before the rain came and we had to get out. The water was perfect on clarity but it seemed fine to swim in. No issues from anyone. My kids including my daughter who had the birthday had a blast in the pool. Thanks for all the help everyone gave. I haven't done much with the pool since as we've had rain on and off since the party afternoon.
Glad it was a success. We don't let the rain deter us (we get in the pool to get wet!) unless it is lightning!