Pool teal and cloudy.

[Mweltz88]

Hi, haven’t been on for quite some time but I haven’t had issues for quite some time. Opened my pool about 2 days ago and it was a mess from som e dust storms we had. I immediately began slamming and hand vacuuming. It started to turn blue and clear up but now it has just stalled for the last 7 days. I’ve kept my chlorine levels at about 25-30ppm any CYA is down around 10-15ppm from all the water adds, the reason o found it concerning is I’m somewhere in the ball park of 60 gallons of chlorine used. I haven’t had any combined chlorine for about 8 days. My TA and hardness are both high from my area but they’ve always been high. Just wondering if this is a filter issue? Taylor k-2005 test kit

 

[splashpad]

Is there a chance of metals from the water source? (or even the dust blown in) Can you post a full set of recent test results? I would take care using that high of FC amount with little CYA to buffer it, you can risk pool or equipment damage.

I see you have a sand filter, have you tried adding SMALL amounts of DE, to remove the finer particles?

 

[Mweltz88]

FC 33ppm
CC 0
CYA 15 ppm
TA 110
Calcium 350ppm
pH 8.9

If leave the pump off I will get fine dust/dirt settling on the bottom of the pool.

 

[Mweltz88]

We live in a river valley with high water table and farm ground. Our water is high in nitrate and ammonia. But like I said it’s always been hard and less than ideal water and I’ve never had an issue to this degree. I did change the sand out toward the end of last year, I’m hoping I didn’t Jack something up. I also got a new pump and removed my online chlorinator, now it seems I have way more water flow coming out of the return ports?

 

[splashpad]

FC 33ppm
CC 0
CYA 15 ppm
TA 110
Calcium 350ppm
pH 8.9

If leave the pump off I will get fine dust/dirt settling on the bottom of the pool.

• The PH result is 'invalid' at FC that high
• I would add CYA to get to 30ppm
• Let your FC come down before adding more (UV should burn it off quickly)

Do you have/use a skimmer sock? (something as simple as a hair net works great)

 

[Mweltz88]

I added some CYA stabilizer this morning, 7.5lbs in a few socks actually

 

[splashpad]

You have a lovely pool area, BTW!

... removed my online chlorinator ...

Just double checking, do you mean inline?

We live in a river valley with high water table and farm ground. Our water is high in nitrate and ammonia. But like I said it’s always been hard and less than ideal water and I’ve never had an issue to this degree. I did change the sand out toward the end of last year, I’m hoping I didn’t Jack something up. I also got a new pump and removed my online chlorinator, now it seems I have way more water flow coming out of the return ports?

Do you have any staining in the pool? (on walls, stairs, floors, etc)

... I also got a new pump and removed my online chlorinator, now it seems I have way more water flow coming out of the return ports?

Is the pump the same size (power) as the one you replaced? Sometimes a pump can produce a stronger flow then a filter can handle, though I don't think that is the issue here

Can you take a picture looking straight down into the pool at your bottom stairs? And how deep is that?

 

[Mweltz88]

Stairs are getting a yellowish tint, when I get home I’ll get you a picture. You can see the liner. And yes I did mean in-line, pump is same size. When I initially changed the sand I replaced the radials too, not sure if needed to put some sand in the bottom but the stand pipe wouldn’t come all the way up into the bottom of my multiport so I added an extension, could that be an issue?

 

[splashpad]

Stairs are getting a yellowish tint, when I get home I’ll get you a picture. You can see the liner. And yes I did mean in-line, pump is same size.

Under the water line? Are there any pool stores that could test your water for metals? (the only result that is acceptable to use as a reference from pool store testing, metals are either present or not)

When I initially changed the sand I replaced the radials too, not sure if needed to put some sand in the bottom but the stand pipe wouldn’t come all the way up into the bottom of my multiport so I added an extension, could that be an issue?

Did you happen to take a picture? If the connection isn't fully sealed, then the pool water would not get filtered properly

 

[Mweltz88]

Here is a picture from the stairs… as you can see it’s a fine layer of “dust” now we have had some horrible dust storms here over the last 3 weeks which I’m partly blaming

 

[Mweltz88]

 

[Wobblerlorri]

That's algae, I'm almost certain. Overnight Chlorine Loss Test will tell the tale. Once your pool's chemistry is straightened out, start a SLAM Process.

 

[Mweltz88]

I’ve been slamming for 2 weeks, I have had no CC for about a week now, FC is 35ppm

 

[Wobblerlorri]

Let the FC drift down to the normal range for your CYA as indicated by the FC/CYA Levels, then adjust your pH as required. While that's happening, read this

Ammonia - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

I think that might be your problem.

 

[splashpad]

Here is a picture from the stairs… as you can see it’s a fine layer of “dust” now we have had some horrible dust storms here over the last 3 weeks which I’m partly blaming

Are you watching the pressure on your filter? You can wait to backwash until the pressure increases 25% over 'clean' pressure. Use the "free" dust to your advantage!

Also if you can acquire hairnets and polyfill (like what's in cheap pillows or blankets), they might do wonders to help clear your water as well.

I’ve been slamming for 2 weeks, I have had no CC for about a week now, FC is 35ppm

Please let the FC come down and check your CYA level 24hrs after it's all dissolved. This test should be done in bright indirect light conditions.

 

[Mweltz88]

Are you watching the pressure on your filter? You can wait to backwash until the pressure increases 25% over 'clean' pressure. Use the "free" dust to your advantage!

Also if you can acquire hairnets and polyfill (like what's in cheap pillows or blankets), they might do wonders to help clear your water as well.


Please let the FC come down and check your CYA level 24hrs after it's all dissolved. This test should be done in bright indirect light conditions.

CYA is up to 30 ppm now, I took the multi port off the filter again. Sand level looks good, and as tight of a fit as im getting on the standpipe it’s just not feasible to be leaking back that way during normal filtration. Im thinking either the sand is just not filtering properly or what I’ve got is just too fine. Im going to try a flocking product, what is this poly fill? Like quilt batting im assuming? And do you just place it in the skimmer basket?

 

[Mweltz88]

Update

FC 22 ppm
CC 0 ppm
CYA 30ppm
Cal 350+
TA 110-120ish
pH 8+ but I’ve been slamming

Still green, still dusty along the bottom all over, been slamming for 15 days now, and I’ve gone through 56 gallons of 11% chlorine

 

[IceShadow]

Some questions:

- What sand did you put into the filter to replace it last year?
- I see you have the robot but are you scrubbing in places the robot may not reach?
- How often are you testing and bring it back?

Note that if your CYA is 30ppm your SLAM level is 12 per the FC/CYA Levels. No need to go over - it's wasteful of the chlorine and as others have said could be harmful to your liner and equipment.

 

[splashpad]

CYA is up to 30 ppm now, I took the multi port off the filter again. Sand level looks good, and as tight of a fit as im getting on the standpipe it’s just not feasible to be leaking back that way during normal filtration.

That's good!

Im thinking either the sand is just not filtering properly or what I’ve got is just too fine.

You did use pool filter sand to replace? Sand filters will clear a pool that is balanced chemically, but need a little assistance from us to do so "quickly"

Im going to try a flocking product

This is definitely not recommended on TFP!

what is this poly fill? Like quilt batting im assuming? And do you just place it in the skimmer basket?

Yes that is it and as long as you have it in a hairnet or bag (to prevent it from being sucked into the pump) that is where it goes.

 

[Wobblerlorri]

If you feel you must use flocculant, be sure to vacuum to waste ONLY. That stuff will gunk up your sand and you'll be replacing it again.

I'm still thinking you have ammonia. Treating for it is worth a shot.