Swamp is now cloudy blue…how much longer?? 😭

[HKGilbert]

Didn’t close pool. Last used end of September. It was a swamp. Followed article for turning swamp to blue oasis using the SLAM method. Started on June 6. I didn’t have a good brush/pole until about a week ago. Been brushing since. Vacuuming using pool blaster max and aiper SE. backwashing multiple times a day. Started using a skimmer sock yesterday. The pool is now blue, water in skimmer is clear, but pool is still super cloudy. I’ve gotten most of the leaves off the bottom and not pulling out much debris anymore. There is yucky brownish/gray gunk coming off of bottom (dead algae?) when I vacuum and in the skimmer sock this morning. Brought fc up to 16 last night (cya 40) and at noon today it had only dropped to 11 which is a huge improvement. Added enough chlorine to bring back up to 16 and did all the other stuff I’ve been doing. Am I getting there? Will it be swim ready soon??? My kids are desperate and honestly me too lol. Anything else I should be doing? Also, the yucky stuff on the bottom doesn’t have a horrible smell anymore!

 

[mknauss]

You are getting there. If you can test and add liquid chlorine at least 3 to 4 times per day it will speed the process. Also with an above ground pool circulation is not all that great so the more vacuuming you can do the better.

Once you can at least see the bottom, go swimming!

 

[HKGilbert]

Thank you! Just needed some reassurance. I tested every couple hours yesterday and added. It was dropping about 1 ppm per hour. So only going to test 3 times today and add. I do have a Hayward sand filter which works much better than the old intex pool/pump I had. I know the sand filters take longer to clear. The pump is running 24/7 since I started. Should I turn it off and let some of the stuff in water drop to the bottom then vacuum or just keep it running continuously? Vacuuming twice a day.

 

[mknauss]

You can shut the pump off overnight if you wish. Be sure to test and add liquid chlorine after sunset and let it circulate for an hour or so.

Only backwash when the filter pressure rises by 25% over clean filter pressure. A little bit dirty sand filter removes fines better.

 

[HKGilbert]

You can shut the pump off overnight if you wish. Be sure to test and add liquid chlorine after sunset and let it circulate for an hour or so.

Only backwash when the filter pressure rises by 25% over clean filter pressure. A little bit dirty sand filter removes fines better.

Ok thanks! The gauge on my pump has never gone up. It always stays at 5 when on. Maybe it doesn’t work? I typically backwash when the water coming in pool through return is noticeably less.

 

[mknauss]

I typically backwash when the water coming in pool through return is noticeably less.

That is a good indicator.

Does the pressure gauge go to zero with the pump off?

 

[HKGilbert]

That is a good indicator.

Does the pressure gauge go to zero with the pump off?

It did. I haven’t checked that this go round but I will! Husband got in this evening and walked around. Bottom felt good, not slimy, he was able to get some leaves I missed. He also mowed and got a ton of grass in the pool .