Newbie - with cloudy pool

[Dad2handz]

Thanks for the replies! Working on getting a test kit so I can get accurate readings. Our pool is right at 40,000 gallons. And we have seen sand in the area where the pool backwash line is located. We have a Hayward Super Pump - 2 HP. That is what the original one was and that is what we replaced it with. I believe the 2nd one we had was a no-name brand that the pool man found lying around and put on just to keep us quiet. I have added 6 - 1 lb bags of pool shock that is 73% available chlorine and 27% calcium. Pool shock is non- stabilized. Then I added 2 bottles of EZ Chlor Drop Out. The water is blue but is very, very cloudy.

I will post readings as soon as I get my test kit.

[PoolDoc]

Are you sure it's 40K, or is that the volume at overflow?

I ran the calcs for typical dimensions, and it came out to ~32K, or maybe less. What is the actual water depth in the shallow part of the L? Which is the deep length -- 36' or 41'? What's the actual water depth in the hopper (deepest part)?

OK, other issues.

1. Make / model of the filter? (Pump may be too big for filter.)
2. Make / model of the pump OR amps and SF (Service Factor) of motor?

Meanwhile, chlorinate your pool with 1 - 2 gallons of plain store-brand 8% household bleach added each EVENING. Hold off on the cal hypo you have -- your calcium and alkalinity levels may be high. Wait for the the kit.

If you have a top mount filter, pop the top, and check the sand level.

Take pictures of the pump, filter, and piping, and post them using Picasa, Flickr, or Photobucket links, or by emailing them to poolforum@gmail.com.

[Dad2handz]

According to the pool place that put it in and the other local pool stores who get pretty close to the same numbers at 38,772 gallons. It's 3.5 deep in the shallow and 9 feet in the deep.

Hayward Super pump model no SP2615x20

And emailing the pictures now!

Thanks!

[PoolDoc]

Calculations:

41' x 16' x 3.5' x 7.46 gal/cft = 17,128 gallons
(36'-16') x 16' x 6' (average) x 7.46 = 14,323 gallons

Total = 31,415 gallons.


Keep in mind that pool stores benefit, in pounds of chemicals sold, by overestimating pool volume! Also, pool salesman win points, on the 'bigger is better' scale, by doing the same. But the errors make it harder to manage your pool well.

[Dad2handz]

Tested the water today and these are the results:
Chlorine 0.5
PH 8.2
Alk 110 ppm

Chlorine levels have never really shown much but we were told that's because it is a salt water pool? Thanks!

[PoolDoc]

1. "Salt" or Salt Water Chlorine Generators (SWCG) are just a METHOD of delivering chlorine to a pool. You *should* have the same chlorine levels as with any other method of delivery.

2. The most critical test results, for an outdoor pool, are chlorine, pH, and stabilizer. You need a K2006 so you can *accurately* test for those. 'Guess-strips' don't count, especially with respect to stabilizer.

3. I never got the pictures: poolforum@gmail.com

[Dad2handz]

PoolDoc...please let me know if you got my pictures that were emailed? I sent them twice to your email address listed above. Thanks!