What clarifies as clear?

[cbraeuer]

Hello everyone! First time pool owner and first post. Read through a lot of the articles and posts on the forum.
When I bought the house I had a slew of problems. I started shocking and shocking and shocking. It seemed like every week something would go wrong. The pump went out, high pressure flow valve cracked, pipes were cracked and leaking, and replaced the sand.
By then I discovered TFP! I am in the SLAM stage now of maintaining the FC levels required. What clarifies as a clear pool? I can see every foot of my pool and the dolphin in the deepend.
I started the slam with high CYA but at that point, I was already frustrated with everything before. I am maintaining a 31 FC level. When do I start the OCLT?
I do see the algae dust and I am constantly brushing it and I feel like it always comes back in almost the exact some spot.

Sorry for the long post, but I have owned this house for a little over a month and just want to swim in my pool with the kids.

 

[Texas Splash]

What clarifies as a clear pool?

Let the images from this thread serve as examples. Welcome to TFP!

How Clear is TFP Clear?

Also see -----> Pool Care Basics

 

[Texas Splash]

When do I start the OCLT?

Once the water is clear, do the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. Passing that is critical.

Be sure to update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. Those details can influence some of the advice you receive. See my signature as an example and the article below.

Create Your Signature - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Bperry]

Hello everyone! First time pool owner and first post. Read through a lot of the articles and posts on the forum.
When I bought the house I had a slew of problems. I started shocking and shocking and shocking. It seemed like every week something would go wrong. The pump went out, high pressure flow valve cracked, pipes were cracked and leaking, and replaced the sand.
By then I discovered TFP! I am in the SLAM stage now of maintaining the FC levels required. What clarifies as a clear pool? I can see every foot of my pool and the dolphin in the deepend.
I started the slam with high CYA but at that point, I was already frustrated with everything before. I am maintaining a 31 FC level. When do I start the OCLT?
I do see the algae dust and I am constantly brushing it and I feel like it always comes back in almost the exact some spot.

Sorry for the long post, but I have owned this house for a little over a month and just want to swim in my pool with the kids.

If the water is clear, you can swim during the SLAM as long as the FC is below SLAM level.

 

[cbraeuer]

I feel there might be a slight haze, kind of like heat in the distance.

 

[cbraeuer]

Once the water is clear, do the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. Passing that is critical.

Be sure to update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. Those details can influence some of the advice you receive. See my signature as an example and the article below.

Create Your Signature - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

I updated my sig! Thank you for reminding me, I forgot when I read that earlier.

 

[BDY]

You can still swim while slamming - as long as you can safely see the bottom

 

[reggiehammond]

I feel there might be a slight haze, kind of like heat in the distance.

I agree - there's definitely some cloudiness there. The earlier link to How Clear is TFP Clear? shows some good examples of TFP results.

 

[cbraeuer]

A lot of the pictures have the really blue liner. The liner I inherited is discolored in spots. I tested this morning just for testing. I am at 0ppm for CC. Does this still appear to be cloudy? I can see algae dust on the bottom. (I am asking because I want it to be clear and I think I am tricking myself to thinking it is) thanks in advance!

 

[Texas Splash]

A bit hazy. Did you do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test yet?

 

[Texas Splash]

Once you pass the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test, you might try adding a little DE to the filter. Sand tends to be slightly slower to clear dead algae.

 

[Texas Splash]

Link below if you need it after the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test.

Add DE to a Sand Filter

A clean pool filter will increase the efficiency of your pool! ... your filter are to backwash it, clean the manifolds and grids, and add new DE.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Bperry]

A lot of the pictures have the really blue liner. The liner I inherited is discolored in spots. I tested this morning just for testing. I am at 0ppm for CC. Does this still appear to be cloudy? I can see algae dust on the bottom. (I am asking because I want it to be clear and I think I am tricking myself to thinking it is) thanks in advance!

View attachment 518142

It’s clear enough to swim if that’s what you mean (you need to be able to see if people are ok or not down there), but not clear enough to stop the SLAM.

 

[cbraeuer]

A bit hazy. Did you do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test yet?

I did not because the pool was not clear yet. But I can do one tonight.

 

[cbraeuer]

It’s clear enough to swim if that’s what you mean (you need to be able to see if people are ok or not down there), but not clear enough to stop the SLAM.

So my kids can swim while keeping the FC at 31? Or should I just let them swim for a little and then test and chlorine and if they want to go back in later that would be ok?

 

[woodyp]

Up to you.....no problems either way.

 

[Bperry]

So my kids can swim while keeping the FC at 31? Or should I just let them swim for a little and then test and chlorine and if they want to go back in later that would be ok?

Yes, as long as your CYA is 80ppm or higher.

 

[cbraeuer]

Yes, as long as your CYA is 80ppm or higher.

So that is the problem now. Since I have started the SLAM, I have vacuumed to waste at the beginning and replaced water a few times. I figure my CYA will not be the same since I replaced water.

 

[Texas Splash]

I figure my CYA will not be the same since I replaced water.

Sounds like it's time to validate your CYA. If you find it lower, let's say 70, you could allow the FC to fall to 28. If the CYA is closer to 60, then an FC of 24 will be fine.

 

[cbraeuer]

Sounds like it's time to validate your CYA. If you find it lower, let's say 70, you could allow the FC to fall to 28. If the CYA is closer to 60, then an FC of 24 will be fine.

With the high chlorine levels, is CYA going to be accurate?