Free Chlorine vs. Total Chlorine adjusting

[Truckman]

Total Chlorine is a 3 at this reading, however FC is still around 1. Cloudy enough that I can't see the bottom in the deep end 8'. Maybe I just need to give it more time. Pump running continious. Removed the pucks, now feeding it nothing. This may also be of some help, everytime I un-cover (looplock cover) lets trash in, the pool water is clear but the bottom and sides walls are black. I vacuum it all to waste, I repeat vacuum several times after running overnight, I then add chemicals and wait for it to clear. It sometimes takes
weeks and sometimes only a few days. Have sand filter. Just trying to give as much info as I can. This website seems to have the knowledge that I
need to get this thing going and keep it going in a shorter period of time.

[PoolDoc]

un-cover (looplock cover) lets trash in, the pool water is clear but the bottom and sides walls are black. I vacuum it all to waste, I repeat vacuum several times after running overnight

You'll get better results if you raise the pH and dose chlorine to 15 ppm with bleach. Leave the cover partly on, to reduce solar loss.

I wouldn't vacuum to waste, unless stuff is blowing through the filter. But, if it is, that indicates that your filter is not operating properly, and needs attention. It may be too small for your pump, or be filled with coarse sandblast sand, or simply need to have sand added. Given that it's an AG pool, you may have all three problems. AG pool filters are almost always undersized. If you have a two speed pump, the quick fix is to run on low speed, which typically moves approximately the correct amount of water for the filter, and allows the filter to actually filter the goo out, instead of the goo being forced through the sand by the excessive pressure and flow.

Ben

[Truckman]

The stuff is so thick when I open the pool, if I vacuum thru the filter the pressure will rise to 30lbs in about 10 minutes. Its like vacuuming mud and the filter can't handle such a continious flow, it eventually will start to come
back thru the returns. I really don't believe its pump or filter problem.
This stuff is black and taking it to waste bypasses the filter completely and
takes it out for good. Need to add a good amount of water when this process is completed however.