Stubborn cloudiness

[lmisko]

As of last night...

FC 8.5
CC 0.5
pH 7.6~7.7
TA 230
CH 250
CYA ~75

I performed an OCLT and passed just the other night. I have barely added any chlorine to the system since my first bump up to 9.0 when I first opened. I can see the bottom no problem. I was getting my official pool "teach" yesterday and the guy said the water looked really good but it was a little hazy. He said to come down and get some "clarifier" and add it to the pool. (I chuckled inside a little) So what should I really do? Like I said, its not terrible...but at night with my lights on I can plainly see the haze and little particles just floating around the lights. I am still thinking its a filtration thing since my FC levels are stable and my CC levels are barely 0.5. The filter is brand new so maybe I haven't backwashed it correctly. Could the TA/CH have an effect like this? Thanks so much. I am almost there I can feel it!

 

[Richard320]

You will always see floaters in the pool light.

Two things come to mind:
1) Refresh your memory on what FC CC and TC are. What you posted would indicate major problems, so I suspect it's a typo or some confusion with our acronyms,
2) A little DE (or cellulose filter media) added to your sand filter can really polish the water. It's like laying window screen atop chicken wire on a microscopic scale. You don't need much, so try to beg a coffee can worth off a neighbor or even off the guy who suggested clarifier. Buying the smallest package of it will leave you with a ten year supply.

 

[drharris]

TA seems a bit high, but I'm not sure that would cause haze. Have you noticed pH instability?

Filter should be fine, backwash until it runs clear and then do a rinse before filtering again. Have you considered adding a bit of DE to your sand filter? If it's just a little cloudy, this can help with that final polish of the water.

 

[lmisko]

Yikes, fixed that typo. Thanks. I will look into the DE/cellulose to add to the sand filter. It looks like a simple enough procedure. Thanks very much.

 

[lmisko]

As I read the instructions for the adding the DE, it sounds like I need to add it after I backwash each time? Did I read that correctly? How about this for the DE? It isn't a garden one as far as I can tell.

 

[drharris]

Food grade is not what you're looking for. The pool stuff is different. You should find it in the pool section of a hardware store, and some pool stores carry it. It only comes in huge 20+lb boxes, which like Richard says is good for a decade. Borrow if you can, but DE filters may or may not be common in your area.

Yes, you need to re-add after every backwash. Just be aware the first few times you use it, the pressure may jump considerably in the first 20-30 minutes. Check the pressure often and backwash. It's a satisfying feeling, knowing it's collecting all sorts of junk that was floating around your pool.

Edit: Also, be sure to look at your local codes before backwashing. Some require discharge into the sewer, other locales don't care.

 

[lmisko]

Good to know, thank you drharris. I will add this to my routine. It seems like an easy thing to do!

 

[drharris]

Be sure to check my previous post edit, and look at local codes before backwashing. Yep, easy to use, and it's not really expensive considering the extra kick it gives your water.