Problem with water being cloudy/murky.

[TheGoose]

Thanks so much for your info.

I tested the water again this morning. I really love this Taylor test kit, thanks for the tip.

OK, yesterday evening when I tested it was getting a little dark, so I wanted to double check all my tests in good sunlight. Everything matches up except the CYA. I messed that one up, the CYA is most likely around 10 or so. When I get the tube to the 30 ppm mark, the dot fades significantly, but not completely. I can fill the tube all the way to the top before it disappears. Pool store tested it at 10 ppm, which is what I think is true. I know that I only have a few more tests left with this kit but I think I can get the CYA test solution at Wal Mart.

Here are this mornings #'s.
FC = .8 ppm
CC = .6 ppm (both using the .2 ppm method)
pH = 7.4
TA = 200-225 (using the 25 ppm method)
CH =300-325 (using the 25 ppm method)
CYA <30 (less than 30). Most likely around 10 ppm.

Water is looking much better, starting to get that "blue" tint to it again. Even lately when the water has been improved it has still had a green tint. Yesterday I scrubbed the walls and trouble places like corners and jets where the algae tends to cling. I also set my filter to run 2 hours during the night so that it doesn't sit so long without being turned over. I had it set to run from 9 am to 9 pm.

What I'm really interested in is has anybody ever come up with a solution to keep the sand level in the filter at the right level? Add some to the skimmer? Pop the top? I think if I marked the level in the filter using a really bright light I could keep tabs on it. When I had the filter apart I noticed that it allowed some light to pass through, so I was thinking that I could hold a Qbeam next to it at night to see if I could see the level. Kind of like when you stick a flashlight next to your hand at night and can see the red glow etc. I'll make sure not to melt the filter though, so don't worry about that, LOL.

[waste]

Hey! Glad to hear there is progress!

If you really want it to clear up more quickly, do as advised here and test and add chlorine a few times a day and leave the pump running 24/7 until you conquer the beast

Brushing the pool is GREAT! - it gets the chlorine into the 'low interface' areas and stirs up any algae that is still trying to keep it's hold.

How high is the sand in your filter - it should be ~ 1/2 way full - the filter needs a certain amount of 'head room' to filter properly, if it had been overfilled in the past, that could explain why some is coming out when you backwash.

[TheGoose]

Thread update: Today my water is crystal clear. I don't know where the credit lies, but after getting my stabilizer levels up (finally), keeping the chlorine levels up, and in general keeping a watchful eye on the pool chemistry my water is as clear as I've ever seen. I am completely thrilled.

Believe it of not I have actually decreased the pump run time since installing the SWCG by a few hours per day. I think the pool has found it's balance.

[waste]

I'm really glad your pool is under control!

Thanks for the update! I hope the rest of the season is without issue.