cloudy water

[MurfreesboroTn]

I have a 16 intex frame pool.the water is cloudy.if I keep the kids out of it for a day it clears up.I am using the BBB method.I'm using a cheap walmart test kit.my cl reading is 3 my ph is 7.6.I haven't gotten a good test kit yet so not sure what my cya is.I have been using chlorine pucks most of the summer and have read on here it will raise your cya.Today I took a water sample to the local pool store,guess what they said? shock it with the bags of shock...... ask them what my cya level was they said it don't really matter.so I guess time to order a good test.I vacuumed it good for the first time this summer,will see what it looks like in the morning.I think I really need a better pump and filter.

[Watermom]

You really need to know the CYA reading. We can't really advise you without knowing that. Welcome the the forum!

[PoolDoc]

It's quite possible for a batch of kids to overload a pool's clean up capacity.

But that may not be happening. Check the chlorine level just after the kids leave the pool. If it's low . . . you need to raise levels so that a decent chlorine level is STILL present when they exit the pool.

[MurfreesboroTn]

sorry just getting back on here.I went to a different pool store they said cya was at 50.they said phosphates were high and I need phosphate remover,I told him I had some at home.I know from reading here don't buy their chemicals.I will check chlorine after kids get out today.I'm guess that's whats happening.Its a 16ft pool with 4 to 6 kids in and out all day.

[PoolDoc]

16' (18ft maybe?) pool with 6 kids in and out could DEFINITELY loose most of its chlorine in a day!

[MurfreesboroTn]

yea checked it after they got out of it and chlorine was 1,from what I have read with a cya of 50 my chlorine should stay at 5,maybe thats my problem,

[PoolDoc]

If you've got anyone at home you can depend on, you might want to mix and store a 'mid-day' chlorine dose for them to add, say 1/4 gallon of bleach in a 1 gallon bleach jug filled the rest of the way with water. If everyone gets out of the pool while someone walks that around the edge, they could get back in 5 minutes later.

[MurfreesboroTn]

thanks pooldoc,this has seemed to work.have been adding bleach when the kids get out.water is back clear.from what I have read here it seems my chlorine was getting to low for my cya level.plus too many kids in the pool.....

[Watermom]

plus too many kids in the pool.....

Throw those kids out of the pool and have adult swim only!! (JK)

[PoolDoc]

thanks pooldoc,this has seemed to work..

you're welcome -ben