New to pools; Water milky white, cloudy; with Iron

[Texas Splash]

Do you think they'll be a light at the end of the tunnel by next week?

I sure hope so. You started this thread last Thursday, so you're almost a week into it. A SLAM can vary from a week to two or more depending on how bad the water is. Yours didn't seem that bad at first, but the well water certainly made things complicated. Even if the water remains tinted from the iron, it would be nice to see it start clearing up from the algae.

 

[GtrMan128]

I sure hope so. You started this thread last Thursday, so you're almost a week into it. A SLAM can vary from a week to two or more depending on how bad the water is. Yours didn't seem that bad at first, but the well water certainly made things complicated. Even if the water remains tinted from the iron, it would be nice to see it start clearing up from the algae.

Definitely! I'll keep you posted! Thanks again for the help! I really appreciate it!

 

[GtrMan128]

Chlorine is perfect. Orange in the filter would point towards more iron being removed, but I'm surprised no iron in the poly. For the CYA, use granular stabilizer. I would add about 10 ppm worth in a sock and pre-sock in the water for about 30 min. Then squeeze it all out near the return jets. You do want a good CYA of at least 30.

Replaced the poly. Figured I'd take a photo. I replaced the poly Monday morning. This one I just replaced now. Very similar to Monday.

 

[GtrMan128]

I sure hope so. You started this thread last Thursday, so you're almost a week into it. A SLAM can vary from a week to two or more depending on how bad the water is. Yours didn't seem that bad at first, but the well water certainly made things complicated. Even if the water remains tinted from the iron, it would be nice to see it start clearing up from the algae.

Just an update. I'll be testing cya in an hour. Unfortunately they didn't have granulated stabilizer so I purchased liquid which cost me an arm and a leg, but I didn't want to keep you waiting. I have a pool place across the street from me and I don't have a car to go anywhere else as my wife is using it to go to work. I put the stabilizer in about an hour ago so about 12:10pm I'll be testing. I'm running out of cya testing reagent as well. That's coming Friday. But I think I have enough for a last test in an hour.

That being said, this is the water now. It's kinda green rather than grayish green BUT I can sort of see the brush silhouette on the bottom; something i didnt see before! Is this progress??

 

[GtrMan128]

I sure hope so. You started this thread last Thursday, so you're almost a week into it. A SLAM can vary from a week to two or more depending on how bad the water is. Yours didn't seem that bad at first, but the well water certainly made things complicated. Even if the water remains tinted from the iron, it would be nice to see it start clearing up from

 

[GtrMan128]

I sure hope so. You started this thread last Thursday, so you're almost a week into it. A SLAM can vary from a week to two or more depending on how bad the water is. Yours didn't seem that bad at first, but the well water certainly made things complicated. Even if the water remains tinted from the iron, it would be nice to see it start clearing up from the algae.

CYA back at 40!

 

[Texas Splash]

CYA back at 40!

So now we know a SLAM FC of "16" is the ideal number. Once you receive your refills you'll be able to get back on track.

 

[GtrMan128]

So now we know a SLAM FC of "16" is the ideal number. Once you receive your refills you'll be able to get back on track.

Awesome! Will continue posting! Seeing a hazy image of my vacuum is giving me hope!

 

[GtrMan128]

So now we know a SLAM FC of "16" is the ideal number. Once you receive your refills you'll be able to get back on track.

I just received my refills. I purchased the c size opened it and and poured it in the A size. Is that ok?

I put some chlorine in this morning so right now I'm at 16.5 without adding any more.

 

[Texas Splash]

I purchased the c size opened it and and poured it in the A size. Is that ok?

That should be fine.

 

[GtrMan128]

That should be fine.

Apologies for the back to back but I'm happy with what I see! I'm seeing, albeit very hazy, the bottom of the pool from the edge where I'm standing. Pool is still greenish cloudy but it seems to be changing little by little. Looks like today is a turn around day.

Also this is todays polyfil so far:

 

[GtrMan128]

That should be fine.

Good morning TS,

Woke up and found this! A bit clearer and some dead algae in the bottom. It rained some last night so I lost about 6ppm of chlorine so I had to add that in after cleaning skimmer and filter. I brushed the dead algae to suspend it and let the filter deal with it and the pool got cloudy again (I'm sure that's normal). Hopefully tonight I see a huge change!

 

[Texas Splash]

It does appear to be a bit clearer. Chlorine is doing its job, and hopefully the poly as well. Hang in there.

 

[GtrMan128]

It does appear to be a bit clearer. Chlorine is doing its job, and hopefully the poly as well. Hang in there.

Poly was clear but filter was orangey. I'll keep it going!

 

[Texas Splash]

Hey @JessBlount617, since you recently battled with iron yourself, do you have any other new tips other than poly in the skimmer or a second bucket to help filter it out?

 

[JessBlount617]

Good morning @Texas Splash and @GtrMan128

I think we bring in the big guns and go with a poly bucket rather than just a small amount in the skimmer basket/sock. I think you'd be surprised how much iron the bucket will filter while your skimmer is going to catch its "normal" dirt, leaves, debris...

Since it sounds like we're battling some algae - I am nervous about dropping the ladder back into the pool as a means to support the bucket. So I wonder if we can put the ladder sideways (not directly in the pool) and hook the bucket up to that with water coming through the return.

GTR - Can you send us some pics of your mechanicals so we can see what we're working with? Definitely one of the hoses that come in and out of the pool?

Do you have a Menards/HomeDepot/Lowes/Walmart nearby? To rig up your bucket you're going to need to be a bit crafty:

• 5 Gallon Bucket with a Lid - preferably the kind you screw on, not snap on (don't want to chase polyfil in your pool at 10 PM - been there done that)
• 3-4 of the cheapest pillows you can find - they tend to be cheaper than actual Polyfil
• Some ratchet straps/rope/bungee cords

I think we can get you moving in the right direction pretty quick!

 

[GtrMan128]

Good morning @Texas Splash and @GtrMan128

I think we bring in the big guns and go with a poly bucket rather than just a small amount in the skimmer basket/sock. I think you'd be surprised how much iron the bucket will filter while your skimmer is going to catch its "normal" dirt, leaves, debris...

Since it sounds like we're battling some algae - I am nervous about dropping the ladder back into the pool as a means to support the bucket. So I wonder if we can put the ladder sideways (not directly in the pool) and hook the bucket up to that with water coming through the return.

GTR - Can you send us some pics of your mechanicals so we can see what we're working with? Definitely one of the hoses that come in and out of the pool?

Do you have a Menards/HomeDepot/Lowes/Walmart nearby? To rig up your bucket you're going to need to be a bit crafty:

• 5 Gallon Bucket with a Lid - preferably the kind you screw on, not snap on (don't want to chase polyfil in your pool at 10 PM - been there done that)
• 3-4 of the cheapest pillows you can find - they tend to be cheaper than actual Polyfil
• Some ratchet straps/rope/bungee cords

I think we can get you moving in the right direction pretty quick!

Hello Jessblount617,

Thanks for jumping in! Setup is attached. I have some polyfill in my basement. I can always get more tonight! I'm definitely eager to do this!

 

[Texas Splash]

Here's another example.

From brown to 😍😍. Thank you polyfil!

We filled our pool from our well. We knew the risks and knew we would have a battle when the water was 12" deep as it looked green from the metals. Our fears were confirmed when we added chlorine and the water turned brown almost immediately. Enter 5 gallon polyfil filter. It worked...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[GtrMan128]

Here's another example.

From brown to 😍😍. Thank you polyfil!

We filled our pool from our well. We knew the risks and knew we would have a battle when the water was 12" deep as it looked green from the metals. Our fears were confirmed when we added chlorine and the water turned brown almost immediately. Enter 5 gallon polyfil filter. It worked...

www.troublefreepool.com

Hmmm...maybe a stupid question...but would it be OK to remove my cartridge and replace it with polyfill in the housing as opposed to getting a 5 or 55 gallon tank? Or would that damage everything?

 

[Texas Splash]

would it be OK to remove my cartridge and replace it with polyfill in the housing as opposed to getting a 5 or 55 gallon tank? Or would that damage everything?

I don't think it would damage anything, but might make cleaning interesting for you if you get bugs and other normal debris caught in the poly. But I suppose that can happen anyway right? Might be worth a try.