Pool is getting cloudy, chlorine, pH, TA and CYA levels are good.

[gdmacfarlane]

I have a liner pool with a sand filter. Brand new last year and while I have learned a lot about pool maintaining a pool, there is so much still that I didn't know that I don't know.

For the last week my pool has been getting cloudy. I have been checking my levels daily, shocking, vacuuming, backwashing and doing anything that I can to keep it clear. Some of it works for a short period, but it is generally getting worse. Today I asked myself- could it be the filter? I have not done anything to maintain the sand filter aside from regular backwashing. I see on the internet about adding media, cleaning the sand, etc., but I thought I would start here.

Is it likely that the cloudiness is caused by poor filter maintenance?

If so - what do I do?

If not - what do I do?

 

[PoolStored]

Is it likely that the cloudiness is caused by poor filter maintenance?

No.

If not - what do I do?

You can do an overnight chlorine loss test to confirm algae, Link-->Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

But with a cloudy pool, I would just start the SLAM process to clear your pool. Link-->SLAM Process

 

[Donldson]

What are you current levels?

 

[gdmacfarlane]

No.

You can do an overnight chlorine loss test to confirm algae, Link-->Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

But with a cloudy pool, I would just start the SLAM process to clear your pool. Link-->SLAM Process

Thank you

 

[gdmacfarlane]

What are you current levels?

FC .05PPM; CC 0; pH between 7.2-7.5; CYA 30-40; TA 90.

I generally keep my chlorine levels low because my pool has the Frog Leap system and they say to maintain at .5PPM. My chlorine levels should be higher than they are because 3 hours ago I added enough liquid chlorine to bring up the pool by 2PPM. I suppose that I do have an algae problem...

 

[Donldson]

I generally keep my chlorine levels low because my pool has the Frog Leap system and they say to maintain at .5PPM.

There's your problem right there. If you're not following the FC/CYA Levels then you're going to get algae eventually.

Not that algae is the biggest problem. Since the metals the Frog dumps in your water helps prevent algae but does nothing to sanitize the pool, as your CYA rises that 0.5 FC becomes less and less effective at killing the nasty things in your water that you can't see...

 

[gdmacfarlane]

Thanks for bringing that article to my attention. I am SLAMing the pool now and will continue to use liquid chlorine to supplement the FROG system.

 

[gdmacfarlane]

@PoolStored and @Donldson - thanks for the help. The pool looks nice and clear now. I am going to sign up to be a Gold Supporter of TFP out of appreciation.

 

[wireform]

Get rid of the frog system....

 

[JJ_Tex]

Glad your pool is clear again.

I have the following concerns for you and want to make sure you have a good plan:

1. Frog system - Will you continue to use this? Donaldson mentioned metals in post #6, which is exactly what the frog does. The metals help mask algae problems but they will rear their head like you have seen. What you haven't seen yet is the staining the metals can cause as they build up in your system. Use the search bar at the top to search for metal staining caused by "mineral" systems like the frog system. (Spoiler alert - I just did and it was 10+ pages of search results).

2. FC Levels - What is going plan for the FC level going forward. Will you be following the guidance and levels of TFP, or back to the previous levels?

 

[Davegnh]

All I'm saying is from a totally anonymous person that definitely hasn't known you for almost 30 years you should have listened to me and just got the saltwater chlorine generator. Instead somebody listened to the pool builder and scared you away from a saltwater pool because it would have corroded your steel pool.

 

[gdmacfarlane]

I am currently working with a friend of 30 years who is very smart, has tremendous knowledge of pools and who has never posted a bitter message calling me out for not listening to him.

I am planning to move away from the frog system. For the time being, I will move my chlorine levels up to ~4PPM through use of liquid chlorine, and will keep a close eye on my CYA. I will likely install a SWG, perhaps this season.

I had started another thread about my concerns with a SWG as I have a steel wall pool installed semi-inground (my yard slopes). The last thing I want to do is negatively impact the structural integrity of my pool. I am going to take a look at current salt levels. @Davegnh says the difference is likely minimal. Then again - what the heck does that go know?!?

I would love to hear the opinion of this community as well.