Cannot Get Rid of Cloudy Water

[ajb8898]

Keeping the chlorine high. I can't guarantee it's stayed 15 since yesterday at lunch but I've kept it above 10 by adding a gallon last night and today. I have no idea what it is now and without a reliable kit I just didn't want to chance it going low. I hope it's not way too high right now. Water has cleared a few more inches down but still haven't seen the bottom. Supposedly my kit is getting overnighted. We'll see.

[Watermom]

When you get it, post a full set of numbers for us to look at. Also, update your signature line to show that you have the K-2006.

[ajb8898]

Still no kit. Frustrated!

Trying to keep the pool high by the evening. I've had to put at least 1-2 gallons in a day to keep up with it. Still hasn't seemed to stabilize yet.

Oh and I finally got in today and went down with goggles and the bottom is completely clear. Doesn't seem to be an issue with debris.

[ajb8898]

Went to the pool store today.

CYA: 70
TC: 3
FC: 3
pH: 7.6
TA: 145
ATA: 124
Hardness: 200

We are continuing to put in 1.5-2.5 gallons of chlorine every day. Last night we did 3 and it's already down to a 3. So much chlorine! The pool does seem to be very slowly clearing up but still haven't seen the bottom. I was thinking to add another 3 gallons and then wondering about the pH. Is it getting too high?

[Watermom]

No, pH of 7.6 is fine.

[CleBeavis]

I know it's near blasphemy to utilize a pool store but whe I got inpatient about cloudy water this year (mesh cover dirt, lotta.dead algae) I made sure algae was dead, got all chemicals in limits and used below as directed. By next moning all had dropped to bottom and I vacuumed it to waste and I'm ready to go. No pool store jockey sold it to me, I just took a shot with it: http://www.shoplitehouse.com/store/product/84/ProTeam-SuperFloc-Clarifer-Quart/

[ajb8898]

I've tried Floc twice this year :( I've used it in years past successfully but for whatever reason, the stuff doesn't want to sink this year.

My kit comes today!! Out for delivery on UPS right now!

[ajb8898]

Great news on two fronts. I went out today and FINALLY saw the bottom of our liner.

And in a great ironic twist, UPS delivered my Taylor kit about 2 minutes later. Not kidding.

So, I have no idea how to use this kit. Does someone have a good/quick tutorial. What all should I measure right now?

[ajb8898]

OK, sorry for the dumb question above...I easily figured it out once I opened it and read the instructions.

Here is what I got:

FC: 12.5
TC: 12.5
pH: 7.6
TA: 160
CYA: 30 (or lower. the mix was not cloudy at all and I had to fill it to the top)
TH: 270

[Watermom]

Those numbers look pretty good. If your water is still cloudy, go ahead and keep the chl high for a bit longer and run your pump 24/7. Is your filter pressure rising?

Be sure not to use any cal-hypo since your CH reading is already a little high. You do not need calcium in a vinyl pool no matter what the pool stores say!

[ajb8898]

I can't read my filter pressure on my pump. I haven't had to back wash this past week which is pretty amazing. The sock is definitely working! I change that 2-3 times a day.

[ajb8898]

Well something happened in the last 5 hours because the FC just now was only 4.5 and the CC was 1. Just put 3 gallons of chlorine in.

[ajb8898]

Pool is still cloudy but I can still make out the bottom. Still getting gray/brown stuff in the sock.

FC: 13
TC: 13
pH: 7.4
TA: 170
CH: 240
CYA: somewhere between 0-30

I'm having to put a ton of chlorine in at night. It holds overnight but during the day, the sun must completely zap it or something. Can/Should I raise CYA in order to stop that?

[Watermom]

Yes. Why don't you add 2 lbs. Then after a week or so, test the CYA again and let's see where you are. Put it in an old sock and hang it in front of the return jet.

[ajb8898]

2 lbs of what do I add?

[ajb8898]

A quick Google search is telling me there are granules I can buy (at the pool store?). I also have that bucket of dichlor I had gotten just before finding this site. Can I use that instead of the bleach for the time being?

[Watermom]

I meant 2lbs. of granular CYA. If you decide to use this, you can either pour it directly into the skimmer to dissolve in the filter. Keep the pump running 24/7 for the first 4 or 5 days after that and do not backwash during that time. Another way to add it is to put it in an old sock and hang it in front of a return jet. If you give it a squeeze once in awhile it will help it to dissolve faster.

But, if you have dichlor, you can use that instead of the granular CYA and it will add CYA as it chlorinates. However, if you do use the dichlor, know that it adds CYA fast so you'll need to monitor it. For every 10ppm of chlorine that it adds, 9ppm of CYA is also added. It is also acidic and will drive your pH down so that will need to also be watched.

[BigDave]

Also be sure the dichlor is just dichlor (99%) and not a mix espcially if it lists copper.

[ajb8898]

Confirmed dichlor is 99%.

I've added a few cups of that as needed and also added a cup or two of Borax for my pH. Pool water is getting better. You can see the bottom across the whole pool but it's not crystal clear yet.

My question now is what level should I be shooting for on CYA? Last I checked it had gotten up to 35 and does seem to be holding a bit better. I get full sun all day in SC.

[Watermom]

For most pools, a CYA of 40-50 is what we recommend.

[ajb8898]

Thanks! I might use the dichlor another time or two before I switch back to straight bleach then.

[ajb8898]

Just an update..I'm up to about 40-45 in CYA now. My FC is really holding well. I don't lose any at night and usually only losing about 1/3 through the day. The water is clearing up. Still slowly, but it's happening. From the edge of the pool, I can see the bottom about 4 feet out. Can't wait until it's crystal clear! I just love that I haven't been to the pool store in almost 2 weeks! Thank you to all that have helped so far!

We're going on vacation on Saturday so I hope to not lose too much ground. Anyone have any tips on how to manage when you're gone for the week? I was thinking about having a next-door (responsible) teenager just do the test strips in the evenings and if it's not bright purple, add a gallon of bleach? She's out of town until after we leave so I can't teach her the Taylor kit before I go. Otherwise, I'd just have her text me the readings and tell her what to do. (OMG I'm micromanaging my pool LOL)

[AnnaK]

I would have the young woman add 1 gal bleach each evening and keep the pump running during your absence. The bleach will add about 4 ppm FC and should be enough to keep the water clean with the CYA level you've reported. I wouldn't even ask her to test, just add the bleach. Do show someone at the house where you add the bleach and how you do it so they can pass that on to her, and give plenty of cautions about bleach splatter so she doesn't ruin her fav jeans :)

[ajb8898]

Thank you, that makes it even easier.

I also had a few questions regarding the cover. I haven't had the cover on at all while we've been trying to fix the water. The weather has cooled off a bit and it's way too cold to swim in now. So my questions are, is it ok to put the cover on when I've been trying to maintain the shock level at 15? Would it be ok to leave the cover on all week while we're gone and just have her move the cover enough to add the bleach at the return jet?

[AnnaK]

I have very little experience with solar covers since I don't use mine. I think it would be okay to put it on at this point in the cleaning process but I'm not sure.

IF you keep the pump running while you're away and IF the neighbor adds bleach every evening it should be okay.

Maybe one of the moderators will check in and offer an opinion.

[Watermom]

At shock level, you do not want the cover on but for regular maintenance levels, it is fine. I often leave mine covered for several days at a time when the weather is too cool or stormy or whatever, but still add my bleach. I just slowly pour the bleach into the skimmer while the pump is running. I also make sure my return jet eyeball is aimed down so the bleach is not aimed at the cover.

[ajb8898]

I came home from vacation the pool is clear!!! Woo Hoo!!

FC: 10
TC: 10
pH: 7.6
TA: 150
CYA: 60

Can't thank you guys enough for your help and sticking with me through all this. I've learned so much about our pool and have really taken ownership of it through this. I'll be sharing the BBB method and this board with as many pool owners as I can. I'm sure I'll be back on when other problems come up.

[AnnaK]

Excellent!

Don't use anymore dichlor powder or trichlor pucks. Your CYA is at a good level and you don't want it any higher. Switch to plain bleach now.

Your TA is high. It should be between 80 and 120 in a vinyl pool. Do you have a lot of splash-out that requires frequent refilling? If so, that'll dilute the TA on its own. Have you ever tested your fill water?

[ajb8898]

I do refill when we have a lot of use out of the pool or it's really hot. I tested our tap water and it was low...like 40 or 50. Do I need to add anything to bring that down?

[Watermom]

Actually, for a vinyl pool, I wouldn't worry about adjusting your alk. You're just a little high and I don't think it will cause you any problems if you just leave it where it is. Plus, if your fill water has low alk, then as you add water, it will gradually bring it down.

Hope you enjoyed your vacation!