Tale of my battles with cloudy water! I'm finally winning...

[CarlD]

Oh you better believe I will. I was getting to the point where the next additive I was going to try was dynamite! LOL

Quick question: Do the tests kits ever go on sale (say in the winter time?) I would love to get one for next season! Here in upstate NY our swimming season is so short that I'd probably only get about 4 weeks of use out of it (at the most) for this season. Thanks!

I don't know. I was in a local Leslie's one day and they had the FAS-DPD test kit Taylor made for them--it's only the chlorine test, and it was about $20. But that was the last one they had.... Online, though, they have it.

I'm not sure you want an on-sale test kit--it means it's older which means the chems may or may not be dated...

[ladybug_3777]

I'm not sure you want an on-sale test kit--it means it's older which means the chems may or may not be dated...

True! You get what you pay for!

Well considering THIS month I won't be putting extra $ into lots of extra shock, I can put it into my "super duper test kit fund" instead right? haha!

[ladybug_3777]

Ladybug,

Post back if you see any bleaching of your liner and thanks for the posts.

Just reporting back, liner held up and looks great! I have to say, its amazing to think this is the same water I was looking at 2 weeks ago. Its so beautiful now compared to the milky mess we had before.

[duraleigh]

Ladybug,

Thanks for the liner update. This is an interesting thread and some food for thought.

[szampino]

I'm inspired and could use some re-assuring.

I have a simmilar situation. First the background:

18x48 round entex(blow-up ring), Cartridge Filter.
Metal in the water (got that under control through CL/PH maintenance-PoolMagnet-and AA)
Water was great, went away, Major Rainstorms,
White Cloudy water (can see bottom but it is very Hazy)
PH - 7.2
TH - 200
TA - 80-125
FC - was about 1-2

Based on some site posts, I was encouraged to shock. I used powder Sock-it in small amount and gradually brought my FC to 10(+) and have maintained overnight. FC levels did not drop as I would have expected if I was fighting something like this post describes. The FC level just maintained itself. The water has not gotten any better or any worse - its just the same cloudy/hazy water.

I have one additional abnormalty - The pool filter has a Fountain on the return. The bubbles that are created from the splashing water appear to linger longer then it should. If I pop a bubble, I see a circle of white residue.

I could use some support and/or advise because I'm losing my POP!

[gerri]

szampino, What kind of filter do you have? Is it a sand filter? DE? Cartridge?

[szampino]

I'm using a Cartridge Filter. It's a blow-up Ring, above ground entx 18x48deep round pool.

[gerri]

szampino, oh.. I was hoping you had a sand filter so I could point you to the thread that talks about adding a small amount of DE to the sand filter to produce super clear water. Sorry I couldn't help. I don't think you can do it with a cartridge

[ladybug_3777]

I have to agree with you being able to keep the FC at 10 without it dropping it doesn't sound like the same problem we had. Although it didn't work for us, you might want to try some floc. It combines all those small particles in the water into something that the filter can remove. BUT I'm not 100% sure this is OK for your filter because we have a sand filer. I know nothing of cartridge filters so double check that first.

When we used the floc we were told to use 15 oz of flocing agent (broadcast around pool), run the pool on recirculate for 12 hours, then shut it off for 8 hours. By then the tiny particles would combine together then settle to the bottom. At that point you'll want to vacuum to waste. You'll lose some water doing all this so you might want to raise your level up before you start if needed.

OH and another thing I was told. When the pool is cloudy you are better off using a LIQUID shock. The powder is tougher to dissolve and might actually make it a tad hazier at first. We always use liquid for that reason.

Again, double check with your pool store (or another more experienced member here) to be sure the floc is the best advice. It makes sense to me. Good luck... I know how it feels when the pool isn't in tip top shape

[gordyjamz]

I had a cloudy water problem this spring, also. Just shocked it to 25 ppm and kept it there for 2 days, then let it come down to 10ppm for a week.. It cleared right up. so, I think you're on the right track. Keep in mind that this only works if algae is the cause for cloudy water. There are a couple other things that can make water cloudy. I read somewhere that if the alkalinity is high, say 200 or more, it can cause the calcium to precipitate in the water. Also, while others here have fared well adding DE powder to a sand filter, I have not. On 2 occasions this year, DE caused my water to go cloudy. I had to give the filter a good couple of backwashes to get it out. Then the water cleared. Good Luck.