White Cloudy Water - Twighlight Zone

[szampino]

Scorecard:

7/25/06
3pm - Shut Filter
6:30pm - I can actually see an additional step so something is going on.

Water is still a lavender purple. I would add a some pictures if I knew how

Would love to hear if anyone else ever had purple water.

[KurtV]

That's the first I've heard of purple but the fact that your clarity is improving is a good signal. I'll bet you'll reach point where there'll be a dramatic clearing in the next few days.

[szampino]

Scorecard:

7/25/06 - 8:00pm

The water is still purple, but I can actually make-out the pattern design on the bottom of the pool. I will update this post with a water make-up next post.

[szampino]

7/26/06 - 8:30am

I could see the bottom and the total water looked pretty clear. (wow) There was an off-white/brownish stubstance at the bottom of the pool. I vaccumed to waste and the water actually looks pretty good. Not crystal clear. There is still a purple hue to the water.

FC: - 12
ph: - 7.2

I added about 3 cups of Pool Magnet to the water. I am doing the scary part now, topping off from the well. Wish me luck.

Any suggestions on how not have a repeat of this?

[KurtV]

Keep the chlorine up at shock levels until it clears AND holds the free chlorine level overnight. If you stop too soon you'll end up right back where you started.

As for preventing a repeat performance, test the chlorine and pH daily and never let the chlorine drop below the Best Guess table minimum.

[szampino]

Scorecard:

7/26/06 5:36pm.

Pool water is clear, bottom of pool is a little dirty in some areas. I have topped off to fill line and dumped 1.5 gal. bleach in the pool. I tested about 2 hours later to make sure I get my chlorine level up to shock.

Here is my breakdown.

Chlorine - 12 (4x diluted)
PH - < 6.8 (lowest reading)
Alk - 110
Hardness - 160
CYA - <30 (lowest reading)

What should I do first?

[Watermom]

Get the ph up above 7.0 first. Any readings below that are acidic and can damage your pool.

[szampino]

Scorecard:
7/26/06 - 8:13pm

Poolwater is still clear. I'm trying to increase my PH but it doesn't seem to want to cooperate.

I've added 20oz of PH up and it hasn't budged.

I've just added another 12oz. Will check in about 1/2 hour - 45 minutes.

[szampino]

Scorecard:

7/26/06 - 10:24pm

PH was still low so I added another 16oz of PH up.

as of now,

PH is 7.2.
CL - 15 (according to Ben's best guess this should be adequate shock level)

[KurtV]

It sounds like you're in the homestretch. Keep it at shock level until it maintains the FC level overnight and then keep the FC between the Best Guess table min and max for your CYA level.

You probably already know this but regular old 20 Mule Team Borax is a much cheaper substitute for pH Up.

Congratulations on getting your water cleared up.