Cloudy Water - I think

[Skillset]

Hi All,

My opinion is that. my water is cloudy. I don't remember it being this way at the beginning of the season (it's my first full season as a pool owner). I was wondering if some of you could comment regarding underwater clarity with their own pools. My pool is 33 feet long. From underwater, I can see my return jets up to about 25'. But, it is "cloudy." Any further than 25', I can't see them. I think I recall seeing them crystal clear from any point in the pool. And, I think the problem is getting worse over the past few weeks. From outside the pool, the water looks fairly clear. You can see anywhere in the pool with no issues - including the bottom. So, most people think I'm crazy!! When I'm in the water, I can see a digital watch that is lying on the bottom at my deepest point (5' 10") - so depth is not my issue.

About the pool: 16x33 fiberglass. Started BBB in June - and have been pretty dilligent keeping the water in balance. Current reading:

Cl: 6
CC: 0
CA: 60
Ph: 7.2
CYA: 65
Alk: 90
Borates: 50

Have not shocked since July - it was my only time this season I shocked. I've been keeping the Cl between 5 and 10 according to Best Guess. The pool is not consuming Cl out of the ordinary. On sunny days, it'll go through 2-2.5. On cloudy or rainy days, it barely uses Cl. So, I'm not sure if shocking will help. I know the last time I shocked, the Cl took a lot of days to return to normal. So, with less than 4 weeks left in the swim season, not sure if I want to shock.

What else went in the pool? Lots of Borax when I was using pucks - probably about 8-10 boxes. Since on BBB and having more borates, the Ph stays pretty steady and I have not added borax in about 2 months. I have used about 4 quarts of Metal Magic throughout the season to get rid of staining. Last use was about 3 weeks ago. Could this be causing cloudiness?

In reading the forum, I understand that cloudiness can be caused by higher Ph or high Calcium, neither of which I have. Also, since my Cl levels are easy to maintain, I'm not thinking Cl will fix the issue.

Pump runs 8 hours a day in 2 shifts.

Thoughts out there? Also - again would like to get a poll out there how clear can folks see underwater in their pool (width not depth).

Thanks !!

[waste]

Off the bat, all I can think of is that you've got some algae trying to form. I know you've got 6 ppm cl and no cc, but something may have gotten into the water that is causing a 'higher than normal' demand. With all your other numbers being good, I think a little bleach may clear up the water. We are still on the 'upside' of learning when and how algae blooms in otherwise perfect water, but it seems to happen from time to time

[mbar]

I agree with Waste. Another thing that may be causing the slight cloudiness is the sequestering agent. You may need to shock the pool to get rid of the excess. It is only an opinion I have, and I don't know the science , but my experience is the same as yours - so I know exactly what you mean. My family think I am nuts too when I say the water isn't "sparkly" clear , but I know how I like it . What I did when the water got like that is to shock, and add a little acid to take the ph down to 7. Don't add any clarifier - I did that the first time, and it didn't help. The acid and shock seemed to do the trick. It took about a day for it to "sparkle" again. I don't know if it was that there was some algae, but my tests were the same as yours - no excess use of chlorine, and chlorine at a proper level at all times. So I don't know if it was the sequestering agent - because it did happen a couple of days after the sequestering agent went in, or if there was some algae forming. I just know that the water cleared up with some muriatic acid and taking the chlorine up to shock. Hope this helps, and I would be interested to see how your pool water turns out if you try this

[aylad]

I know the last time I shocked, the Cl took a lot of days to return to normal.

The last time you shocked it, how high did you take the chlorine level? And how many days did it take to get back to normal?

Cloudiness, especially suddenly onset without something being added to the pool, is usually a sign of a bloom trying to happen. I would definitely shock it, and perhaps extend your filter run time.

Janet

[Skillset]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I guess I should have known that the suggestions would come back to Cl!! Okay - tonight, I added some bleach and CalHypo (trying to get rid it now that I just use Bleach and I don't have a calcium issue). Pool is up to 25 now. And, running pump continuously. I know I won't be swimming for at least a week now, but I can't stand semi-cloudy water.

Marie - The problem with shocking is the darn staining. I know the higher Cl will bring out the stains again. And, if it's the Metal Magic causing the excess cloudiness, I'll be in a vicious cycle if I add more MM!! I like the MM because it is so effective, but if it's going to cloud the water, maybe I should try a different brand.

Janet - Last time I shocked was in July. Took it to 22. Took about 6 days or so to get back to 10, if I recall.

Two other noteworthy things I didn't mention. The pool has been about 89-90 the past few weeks. And, I use a solar cover at all times when not in use. However, the pool is used almost everyday, so it is never covered for a prolonged period of time.

Ok - we'll see how the shock goes, but I'm afraid the big test is when I'm underwater, so I don't think that will be for a few days.

The pool also needs some water, so I'm going to do that tonight so the fresh water also gets shocked.

Will keep everyone posted.

[mbar]

Just make sure that the ph is down at about 7 when you shock. If you see any stains forming - add more metal magic. I know that you don't want the water to cloud - but when it clears, which shouldn't take more than a day or two, then there won't be any stains, I know it's a real pain You may be surprised not to get any staining this time - let me know. I was surprised this year after using the metal magic not to get any staining when I took the chlorine up to 20 Please let me know how you do.

[Skillset]

Wanted to post some results.

Well, the pool is back to being crystal clear. I wasn't crazy, after all. You can now see the return jets the entire length of the pool.

Shocking was a bit interesting, though. For the first 2 nights, the Cl level dropped by 3 each night (to slightly below shock level of 20), which I was surprised, since I wasn't losing that much previously to shocking. So, each day I added bleach to get above shock level. By the 3rd night, the Cl held, and it also held the entire day (pool was covered and it was a cloudy day). I really couldn't test if the water was cured, though. SInce, right after that, we had a series of lousy, rainy, weather. So, it took about 10 days after that to get down to 10, where you can swim again. But, the results were great, as far as water clarty. So, something must have been in the water.

Now for the not great results. As predicted, my pool is pretty stained. Again, I notice it big time, although from the outside, it is not too noticable. But, it's never been this bad. Not very asthetic.

Marie - I'm closing on October 6, so I was going to just leave the stains, since I know when I open, I'll need to bring up the Cl levels high again, which risks stains. I could treat it with Metal Magic before closing, but why waste $16, is my thinking, unless you think it's better to close with a stain-free pool. Although, when it closes, I'm sure the winterizing chemicals may take the Cl up. Thoughts?

[mbar]

I would not add any Metal Magic now. I have already closed with stains, and they were gone by the time I opened in the spring I guess it's that the ph ususally goes down, and the clorine is gone too. I always add the sequestering agent before I add the chlorine in the spring. I do usually have to do a stain treatment at the beginning of the year after shocking upon opening. This year I am going to try to add a double dose of Metal Magic, and see what happens. I will keep you posted, and I hope you let me know how your pool is when you open next spring. We an all learn by sharing our experiences