Milky Water and low PH

[newbie2pools]

We've been 'shocking' our water for the last week (it wasn't covered and got swampy) and it's in pretty good shape right now except for the PH. It will look pretty good (the slightly pink color for ideal in the test kit - I can get an exact number if needed) at some points and other look almost clear, more a slight yellow but barely even that. It seems to be different about every day. The water is milky too. Alkalinity is good. Any ideas?

[Watermom]

You need to post current water testing numbers for us to take a look at. Without it, we can't really help much. Also, tell us exactly what you have put in the water (not just 'shock' but ingredients.) Also what type of test kit you used and what type and size your pool is. Then somebody here can better advise you.

[newbie2pools]

I understand :) It's a 13,000 gal vinyl above ground pool. Right now here are the numbers (as best I can tell from the colors/ranges by them):

FC - 4.0-5.0 (orange-ish, not dark orange)
TC - 3.0 - 3.5
PH - 6.8 - 7.0 (in the orange, but VERY light, almost clear)
Alk. = 120
Hardness = 100


Thanks!

Pam

[azimmer1]

Pam
I would recommend getting a FAS-DPD kit. You numbers are a bit off.
Your free Chlorine cannot be greater than your total chlorine.
Remember your free chlorine plus combined chlorine equals your total chorine.

Also, knowing what your CYA level is will be helpful
The level of chlorine you need depends upon your CYA level.
My pool has a CYA level of 40 so I keep my FC and TC level at 4-5
I have no CC. (You don't want any CC)

You can use borax to raise your pH. Also most if us use unstablilzed chlorine.
Plain old bleach. This won't raise your stabilizer levels (CYA)

If you have CC, you will need to shock your pool until it clears

[newbie2pools]

Thank you - I will get the tester - it's one of the ones sold here right?

I will get the cya numbers. I know we had to raise it because it was very low when we started. I forgot to say, also, so that I use just straight bleach so my cya won't get too high - I raised it separately.

I will double check that I didn't misunderstand the cholorine numbers. Hubby checked 'em for me while I was in the middle of something else and I may have switched them.

[azimmer1]

There are many kits out there. One on this site from is fine.
Or the Taylor 2600. Bottom line it is one that uses FAS-DPD for measuring chlorine levels.
That is the one that uses the powder and drop titration.

As far as CYA goes, your judgement is correct. You should use non stabilized chlorine and raise your CYA separately. A ballpark number is a 10 to 1 ratio.
Meaning if your CYA level is 30 you will need approx 3ppm of FC
If your CYA is 60 you might need 6ppm

Rough guidelines but reasonable

[Watermom]

The test kits are no longer being sold on this site nor at the sister site -- Pool Solutions.