Cannot Get Rid of Cloudy Water

[ajb8898]

A quick Google search is telling me there are granules I can buy (at the pool store?). I also have that bucket of dichlor I had gotten just before finding this site. Can I use that instead of the bleach for the time being?

[Watermom]

I meant 2lbs. of granular CYA. If you decide to use this, you can either pour it directly into the skimmer to dissolve in the filter. Keep the pump running 24/7 for the first 4 or 5 days after that and do not backwash during that time. Another way to add it is to put it in an old sock and hang it in front of a return jet. If you give it a squeeze once in awhile it will help it to dissolve faster.

But, if you have dichlor, you can use that instead of the granular CYA and it will add CYA as it chlorinates. However, if you do use the dichlor, know that it adds CYA fast so you'll need to monitor it. For every 10ppm of chlorine that it adds, 9ppm of CYA is also added. It is also acidic and will drive your pH down so that will need to also be watched.

[BigDave]

Also be sure the dichlor is just dichlor (99%) and not a mix espcially if it lists copper.

[ajb8898]

Confirmed dichlor is 99%.

I've added a few cups of that as needed and also added a cup or two of Borax for my pH. Pool water is getting better. You can see the bottom across the whole pool but it's not crystal clear yet.

My question now is what level should I be shooting for on CYA? Last I checked it had gotten up to 35 and does seem to be holding a bit better. I get full sun all day in SC.

[Watermom]

For most pools, a CYA of 40-50 is what we recommend.

[ajb8898]

Thanks! I might use the dichlor another time or two before I switch back to straight bleach then.

[ajb8898]

Just an update..I'm up to about 40-45 in CYA now. My FC is really holding well. I don't lose any at night and usually only losing about 1/3 through the day. The water is clearing up. Still slowly, but it's happening. From the edge of the pool, I can see the bottom about 4 feet out. Can't wait until it's crystal clear! I just love that I haven't been to the pool store in almost 2 weeks! Thank you to all that have helped so far!

We're going on vacation on Saturday so I hope to not lose too much ground. Anyone have any tips on how to manage when you're gone for the week? I was thinking about having a next-door (responsible) teenager just do the test strips in the evenings and if it's not bright purple, add a gallon of bleach? She's out of town until after we leave so I can't teach her the Taylor kit before I go. Otherwise, I'd just have her text me the readings and tell her what to do. (OMG I'm micromanaging my pool LOL)