I'm usually good at this stuff......

[duraleigh]

Hi, Kevin, (Yeah, not as much fun )

Thanks for posting the numbers...very helpful

Adjust your pH first. Down into the low to mid 7's. Keep at it...it'll get there.

Then adjust your Alk with baking soda...Ph should stay within range.

You can use the pH- but I don't know the dosage. Hopefully, it's on the package.

Your Cl seems to be holding well so I really am beginning to think the high pH is causing your cloudiness....fairly rare but it sure seems like it.

The only cause of it that makes sense is the SWG. Has it been running full bore lately? Whatever the cause, the pH has to be your priority, then Alk, then keep the Cl up in the 3-6 range. Let us know if bringing the pH down starts to clear the pool.

PS - Broax raises your pH...not baking soda.

[Madty]

Yes SWG at full boar- I realize borax raises ph w/out raising TA- Baking soda raises both. I just want to go ph down....I'll work at getting the ph down. Will acid lower TA as well?

[duraleigh]

Yes, muriatic will move Alk down along with pH.

THIS IS A TEMPORARY IDEA....NOT A LONG-TERM SOLUTION
If you wanted to get really clever you could shut off your SWG and put about 4 trichlor pucks into the skimmer....take them out anytime you shut off the pump.

The pucks will provide chlorination for your pool AND drive down the pH. Unfortunately, they also add CYA to your pool so I wouldn't use them if the CYA got to 50.

Your SWG and the acid are fighting each other pH-wise. Pucks are on the same team as the acid.

Your choice as to what to do but that SWG at full bore is problematic.

[Madty]

OK ph down to around 7.3 (for now) d it go so fast 15 this morning. Anyway- What now- My pump is working 24/7. I guess keep checking chlorine levels to "shock" until clear correct? I will monitor my ph and adjust with acid- Is that it? How long till I see this cloudy water clear up?
Thanks

Also...When can the pool be used for swimming- how high is too high CL? We swim in the nasty lake all the time- I'm just concerned about high cl

[duraleigh]

d it go so fast 15 this morning.

I don't know what that means.

If cloudiness is from organics, probably a few days to clear. If from high pH, probably faster. Keep running the pump.

Go swimming now. 15ppm is harmless.

[Madty]

d it go so fast 15 this morning.

I don't know what that means either. I was posting something, I needed to edit it and forgot to delete that part- thanks for the help. We'll see how it goes

One more thing- I've been reading about CYA levels and how it acts as sunscreen for your chlorine. Temps here in TN have been mid 90's- I also have full sun all day, Should I raise my CYA higher for better protection?

[duraleigh]

Should I raise my CYA higher for better protection?

That's a tough call. I have raised mine from 30 up to 50 and I believe I am holding chlorine better (too early to tell).

If you are losing much more than 3ppm daily I would consider it. Remember, it's very difficult to go back and VERY high (80+ or so) tends to "mask" the effectiveness of chlorine.

If you go to 60ppm, you'll need to keep your Cl level up around 5-8ppm for it to be effective. Search "best guess" table on the forum for more info.

[Madty]

Ok- Tested ph today 8.0+- my TA is now at 70 where it was 110 3 days ago. I have been adding acid, ph - etc. Is this causing my TA to drop? Cl levels were still around 15, so that's working. I lowered my jets to not disturb the water so much (this areation could be hurting TA??) Again, the endless circle of raise both PH and TA and then lower with acid. I added 1/2 gallon today per the calculator.

I'm about to explode. I have attached a pic of the pool water- You can see, I can make out the drains and the liner design, just not the clear sparkle I'm used to.