Q & A
Q: Why no chlorine with out stabilizer?
A: I don't know, but possibly because you didn't test immediately, and the sun had stripped all of it before you did test. Under full sun, chlorine is removed from unstabilized water VERY rapidly.
Q. What can be done about the cloudy water?
A: 3 possible solutions:
1. New Unicel or Filbur replacement cartridges *might* be able to filter it out; they will definitely work better for you over time. If you buy polyquat at the same time, and use SMALL doses every 2 - 3 days, it may help. Polyquat is both an algaecide and an effective clarifier, but I'm not sure if it will work on calcium particles. Don't use it up, and you'll have some to use if you go on vacation.
2. Lowering the TA -- a LOT -- may be sufficient to resolve the problem. To do so, add muriatic acid to lower the pH just below 7.0, and then maintain a low pH. To do this adjust the pH to 7.0 - 7.2, and then add another *small* dose of acid. Let the pH rise to 7.0 - 7.2 again, and then repeat. The more the pool is aerated (= small kids splashing around, big kid water fight, etc) the faster the TA will be stripped AND the pH will rise. Low pH (<6.0) will damage your pool, so you want to get as low as you can, but not too low.
3. If chlorinate, then turn the pump off for 24 hours, the calcium carbonate MAY settle to the bottom. If it does, and you have the equipment, you can carefully vacuum the dust to waste, using a vac-head, a hose, and a pool pole to siphon it on to the ground.
You'll need to read all these pages:
Using muriatic acid safely => http://pool9.net/ma/
Lowering alkalinity => http://pool9.net/alk-step/
Polyquat => http://pool9.net/polyquat/
The Super Simple Recipe page will help in a variety of ways, and has links on the filter cartridges: http://pool9.net/ssr/
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