View Full Version : Pool back from green but not clear
cdlong
06-13-2006, 09:34 PM
Hi to everyone and thank you for your great advice. I was given a Crestwood (wooden side) pool last year and thanks to the advice on this forum I was able to level and erect an 18' round AG pool and my kids absolutly LOVE it. My problem is this, over the winter I noticed a slit in the winter cover but could do nothing about it because in Northeast PA the pool was frozen solid. In the spring, l eventually brought it back from green, now the water is fairly clear (I can see the bottom well) but it just does not sparkle like it did last year when I got the water delivery. FC =4, pH=7.5 cya=50 TA=100. I do not want to get "pool stored" but what is "clarifier"? It sounds like something that would help me, but what does it really do?
Thank you again for all the help.
cwstnsko
06-13-2006, 09:49 PM
What kind of filter do you have? If it's sand filter, you might want to try adding a little DE (maybe 1/4 cup at a time until you see about 1psi rise in the pressure, waiting a while between doses for pressure to reach a stabile reading.) You might also want to keep the FC a little higher until the water really sparkles again.
cdlong
06-13-2006, 09:55 PM
It is a sand filter, and I will try the DE trick tomorrow.
Thank you.
duraleigh
06-14-2006, 08:22 AM
Shock your pool tonight at dusk. Turn on the pump running it 24/7. Bring Cl up to 15-17ppm and retest again tomorrow AM. If you've lost more than about 1-2ppm, you've got some "bugs" in your pool that need killing.
Add enough Cl tomorrow AM to return Cl to the 15-17 level. Brush and vac frequently over the next 48 hours.
If you can test for CC, that would be helpful. Regardless, I think that's your issue. You should see improvement in the next 24-48 hours or so.:)
CToon
06-14-2006, 09:01 AM
Shocking it like duraleigh said is whats important, but to answer the other question , clarifier is a non-ionic polymer flocculent that settles solids and particles in pools and outdoor spas to the bottom of the pool for easy removal. otherwise known as goop to spend money on that you didnt really need or want
CarlD
06-14-2006, 09:21 AM
You are getting good advice. Try it first. You need to shock your pool as suggested (use bleach or liquid chlorine--easiest to use and least side effects) to kill and metabolize everything.
Then you need to get all the dead stuff out. The DE improves sand filter performance, but ONLY add enough to raise pressure 1 pound. Start with a 1/3 of a cup poured slowly into the skimmer, wait 20 min and check pressure. Repeat until it's up a pound. If you accidentally go too high (say, 5 pounds) and it's clogging up, simply backwash to get the DE out and start again.
ivyleager
06-14-2006, 09:43 AM
To aide in clearing your pool, you may also want to consider using a skimmer sock to help catch particles before they get to the filter. I have been amazed at the gunk it catches, and continues to catch, in my crystal clear pool.
You can purchase these skimmers socks at WalMart (package of 3 for about $5). However, not all WalMart carries them. I have 3 WalMarts in my area, and only the Super WalMart has them, which coincidentally has the better stocked pool department.
Good luck.
CaryB
Go 'Canes!
cdlong
06-14-2006, 11:45 AM
Thanks for the advice, DE is in, pool is up to shock level and filter is running, now I just have to wait. As for the skimmer sock, I learned a trick from this forum to use womens nylon stockings - which I have been, and I too am suprised from all the stuff it catches pre-filter, my wife is also suprised on her diminishing nylon drawer - I did not know there were "good ones". I'm learning more than I thought.