Problem with water being cloudy/murky.

[PoolDoc]

Tell us how you are testing, and what the numbers are. (If you've hung around here & TFP, you know we're probably going to tell you to get another kit, unless you have one of my old kits, a Taylor K2006 or the TFP kit!)

Tell me what make / model of filter you have.

I'm just guessing, without that info, but my guess is you've installed a filter that's too small, and have blown most of the sand out, when backwashing.

(BTW, Lisa, sand normally is NOT present in backwash. When it is, the sand is not properly graded OR the filter is too small. Of course, that describes more than 3/4 of pools with sand filters, so I guess it is "normal" in the statistical sense. But it's not 'right'!)

Ben

[waste]

When you post the numbers, please include the free and total chlorine readings. (just to rule out an algae issue)

You can also supplement your sand filter with ~ 1/2 cup of DE if the cloudiness is being caused by something too small for the sand to catch.

[TheGoose]

Thanks for your replies everyone. Ok, had the water tested (professionally today), and the results pretty much match up with my home tests. Here are the results:

FC 2.1 ppm
TC 2.1 ppm
Combined Chlorine 0.0
pH 7.6
Hardness 250 ppm
Alkanity 67
CYA 10 ppm
Copper 0
Iron 0
TDS N/A

[TheGoose]

OK, now we see that my alk and CYA are a little low, but not super low (except CYA). I will work on those two tomorrow. I don't think I have lost my sand, but I have plans to take the sand filter apart tomorrow. The dP on the sand filter rises generally over time, as you would expect. I backwash normally ever 1-2 weeks, and you can tell if the filter is getting plugged because not enough water is coming through the pool return jets.

Thanks for your advice and input.

[TheGoose]

OK, I ordered the Taylor K2006 kit. Today I'm adding baking soda and CYA to get those numbers up a little, and then I'm taking apart the sand filter.

[aylad]

Keep in mind that if you add the CYA through the skimmer, and then take the filter apart, you're going to lose your CYA...it takes several days for it to sit in the filter and dissolve. If you added it via sock, then you should be okay.

I wouldn't worry about the TA for now--get the filter working, get chlorine in the pool, and once it clears up you can tweak the rest of the numbers.

Janet

[TheGoose]

OK, added the baking soda and some CYA. Also I finally took the filter apart, everything looked pretty normal with the filter and the sand. I went ahead and changed the sand out as I was out of ideas. I noticed when putting in the new sand that the level was higher, so I definitely think that pooldoc was on to something with the fact that I've lost some sand. The pool water was immediately clearer but not totally clear. I think as the filter operates normally the water will get better every day.

What are your suggestions on the loss of the sand? I was thinking that I could add some to the skimmer (like how you add DE) every so often....or install a throttle valve when backwashing to keep the water from pushing sand out. I don't think it's just completely blowing the sand out while backwashing. I ran my hand through the waste stream while backwashing and did not notice any sand....but I know it went somewhere. With 0 pressure on the system (backwashing) I'm getting 50-60 gpm through the waste line (bucket calculated) but the filter is designed for 60 gpm.

[TheGoose]

OK, here is a slight update to this thread. I received the taylor test kit and I'm impressed. I wish I had bought this thing years ago. I had used several different kits in the past but this one is definitely top notch and accurate. It even comes with a little book that is full of useful information about not only the test kit but why the colors sometimes are flaky.

Here's my #s for today.
FC = 3.0 (as measured with the .2 ppm method)
CC= 1.0
Alkalinity = 200 ppm (may be slightly less, I elected to use the 25 ppm multiplier to save on reagents).
Hardness = 300
pH =7.4
CYA = 30

Pool water is much better after changing the sand. I'm still curious as to why I have lost sand. When I bought the pump/tank I sized the tank for the pump. The tank is good for 60 GPM, but I did measure the open ended output and it is in the 60 GPM range. I'm curious if any of you had run into this problem and if I need to simply add a bag or two of sand per year to prevent this from happening.

Even though my water has gotten much better it still is not that "crystal clear" I was looking for. I'm seriously considering switching back to a DE filter and I noticed that most of the mods etc. use sand filters. Is the hassle of adding the DE really not worth the better efficiency?

Thanks for your replies.

[TheGoose]

I was using a Taylor kit for chlorine and pH, and then a different kit for the Alk and hardness (blue box kit, don't know the brand).

I have a Tagelus 60D sand filter, rated for about 60 gpm, my pump does somewhere around 30 gpm. I installed the pump and filter myself.

Tell us how you are testing, and what the numbers are. (If you've hung around here & TFP, you know we're probably going to tell you to get another kit, unless you have one of my old kits, a Taylor K2006 or the TFP kit!)

Tell me what make / model of filter you have.

I'm just guessing, without that info, but my guess is you've installed a filter that's too small, and have blown most of the sand out, when backwashing.

(BTW, Lisa, sand normally is NOT present in backwash. When it is, the sand is not properly graded OR the filter is too small. Of course, that describes more than 3/4 of pools with sand filters, so I guess it is "normal" in the statistical sense. But it's not 'right'!)

Ben