Neverending cloudy pool

[shanors]

I've never been able to get ahead of this problem, between filter/pump repairs (cracked strainer housing on pump) and constantly backwashing, I'm at a loss.

Pool was green about 3 weeks ago, and it's never gotten fully green again since. We've had cloudiness since. I've shocked the water about 8? times since it was green. We had a lot of white stuff at the bottom (dead algae?) That we keep trying to pick up, but it seems neverending. After I rinse my vacuum, I have a chalky residue on the ground. Feels like sand almost

We have a 18x34 vinyl above ground Chlorine pool. Second year. We're in Rhode Island, Northeast US. Hayward Perflex EC50 filter with Fiber Clear media, PowerFlo Matrix 1.5HP pump. I have an older model of Aiper robot vacuum, and a wireless/hoseless rechargable vacuum. I've been consistently running the robot vacuum through the pool, I pull it out when it's done it's 50 mins or so, recharge, and drop it back in once it's charged (3-4 hours)

I got a store water test this morning after shocking last night, so this was the results:

FC: 16.58
TC: 19.61
Combined: 3.03
pH: 8.1
Alkalinity: 94
Hardness: 77
CYA: 41
Iron: 0.10
Copper: 0.00
Phosphate: 0

I backwashed my filter Sunday - I completely took the filter apart and made sure all the media was out, grids we're clean - and this morning my PSI was around 22, I bumped the handle a few times and its running around 15 now, and slowly creeping back up - trying to get the Chlorine to move around (this is a newbie mindset, I'm not even sure if this is what I should be doing). I soaked the filter grids in TSP filter cleaner for about 8 hours, a week ago

1) I know I should backwash, right? This will be the 4th time in a week

2) would flocc be an appropriate next step?

3) what am I doing wrong. LOL I'm about 1-2 days away from closing the pool for the season

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! So I see one fundamental flaw in your routine - using pool store testing. You absolutely must test your own water. It's easy and much more reliable. We recommend either a TF-100 (link in my signature) or Taylor K-2006C. Either one is fine, but you need one of them. We don't trust pool store testing and neither should you.

For backwashing, we recommend once the filter pressure increases by about 25% from the clean pressure. Avoid floc. It doesn't kill algae and tends to cause more problems later.

Once you get one of those kits, post a full set of your own results. Be sure to save our Pool Care Basics page to your favorites. For now, add one gallon of liquid chlorine each day until you receive your test kit. Sweep/brush often and we'll watch for your test results.

 

[shanors]

Thank you!
Actually waiting on a TF-100 kit to come in. Gently relying on store + test strips.

With the chlorine/ pump running, should I expect the cloudiness to eventually clear up? Right now the pump has been running for about 6 hours so far today, the pool water looks blue just very cloudy. I feel like I'm in this constant loop of backwashing, shocking, vacuuming, with no change

 

[shanors]

Welcome to TFP! So I see one fundamental flaw in your routine - using pool store testing. You absolutely must test your own water. It's easy and much more reliable. We recommend either a TF-100 (link in my signature) or Taylor K-2006C. Either one is fine, but you need one of them. We don't trust pool store testing and neither should you.

For backwashing, we recommend once the filter pressure increases by about 25% from the clean pressure. Avoid floc. It doesn't kill algae and tends to cause more problems later.

Once you get one of those kits, post a full set of your own results. Be sure to save our Pool Care Basics page to your favorites. For now, add one gallon of liquid chlorine each day until you receive your test kit. Sweep/brush often and we'll watch for your test results.

So my clean pressure is about 10, so backwash when it hits 35? I've never let it get that high, usually I backwash when it creeps over 22 and I can't get it down at all. I think I've been backwashing way too much

 

[Texas Splash]

So my clean pressure is about 10, so backwash when it hits 35?

Not that high. I have to do it like this in my head

Starting PSI = 10
100% would be 20
50% would be 15
25% should be ~ 12-13 psi.

 

[pjt]

So my clean pressure is about 10, so backwash when it hits 35?

25%, not 25 PSI.

 

[shanors]

25%, not 25 PSI.

Not that high. I have to do it like this in my head

Starting PSI = 10
100% would be 20
50% would be 15
25% should be ~ 12-13 psi.

That makes more sense, lol
My filter always seems to be running high, and I imagine that's what happens with dirty water. Just seems like I can't ever get ahead of it