Wit’s end with cloudiness

[jshstew]

New poster but not new to the site.
3rd year with an above ground pool, 27’ with 17,204 gallons, and was lucky enough to have a friend show me the BBB method from the start and had me purchase the proper test kits. I’ve never had any issues until now. Opened the pool roughly 2 weeks ago. Spent a day or so circulating and had amazingly clear water but had two large deposits of algae. I brushed those (now I know I should’ve vacuumed those to waste) and had to backwash the following day. A few more days were spent trying to get my CYA right and basically balanced. Keep in mind I’ve been working 7 days a week and have not been able to do the slam every hour so it has taken longer than it normally would. Anyway, many vacuums and brushes and bottles of bleach later, I’ve passed the OCLT 4 nights in a row and my CC has remained at 0. The cloudiness doesn’t seem to be getting any better day by day. It’s a beautiful blue but hazy. Do I just need more patience or is a sand filter deep clean in order or something I’m missing entirely?

This morning:
CYA - 35
FC - 14
CC - 0
PH - 7.4
Alkalinity - 70

The only time those test numbers have changed in the last 4 days is during the day when I lose FC but during this time, from an AM test to a PM test I would only lose 4ppm. Hayward 1.5 gpm limo has been running on high 24/7 since all this started.

Any comments / help would be greatly appreciated. Also, since I’m here. This site has been a tremendously great tool. You guys are doing a great job here.

 

[jshstew]

Also, that’s a 1.5 hp pump. Autocorrect kills me sometimes

 

[Jezza]

Welcome to TFP.

Just noticed that your reading your CYA at 35 which we would generally say round to 40, that would put you at a SLAM level of 16. Could you confirm what your using as your target SLAM number? Also worth mentioning any potential algae hiding spots which can hold a SLAM up- behind lights, ladders skimmer boxes.

Have you also been watching the filter pressure and backwashing when it rises 20%? Yes you could also deep clean your filter and some will also Add DE to their sand filter to move things along although you need to watch the filter pressure closely- not one of those things you can just add and go to work so to speak.

 

[jshstew]

Hey there. I can confirm I’ve been using 35 for CYA target. No lights in the pool and I removed my steps so nothing could hide from the SLAM. Also have been backwashing whenever pressure rises, I keep a close eye on that always.

 

[Jezza]

With the CYA we just round up to the nearest multiple of 10, so if the black dot is disappearing somewhere between 30 and 40, you should take the reading at 40. (The scale is non-linear). Therefore your SLAM number should be 16 FC.

 

[jshstew]

Good information and thanks. I’ll bring it up to 16 and see how that holds on an OCLT.

 

[RobertScalchi]

Here is a pool water clarity hack that I discovered here a few years ago on TFP that I'm sharing with everybody in need of clearing their pool. From green to cloudy blue to crystal clear. Read this post from start to end. All 5 pages. Myself and others here on TFP are helping this person clear their pool with the aid of triple filtration and SLAM procedures. Use a Duda Diesel bag at 5 micron clamped onto an elbow on your return jet, and a skimmer sock, or a fine hairnet on your skimmer basket.

I have provided the links, involving particular drop down menu selections to select and order your duda diesel bag in this post. You can order a Duda diesel bag on eBay for $5. You should be able to get your water crystal clear within 4 to 5 days filtering at 5 micron with the Duda diesel bag without having to use DE. Read this post carefully and follow my instructions carefully about pressure rise, positive and negative vacuum and pressure, and installation of the bag. You will need a Hayward return 90 deg elbow. Part number
SPX1105Z4, the duda diesel bag at 5 micron, and a hose clamp.

Any questions send it here and I will respond right away.

Help with Stubborn Cloudy Green

 

[jshstew]

Will read up on this. Many thanks!

 

[obryan2579]

I think you are on track as I had the same situation. I just took a little over a week to filter the water clean. It will happen

 

[jshstew]

obryan, this is exactly what’s going on now. While waiting on my Duda bag to arrive, I’ve had almost night and day changes in the haziness. Another day or so like this and I’ll be crystal.