Need Help!

[wxwmn02]

I first opened my pool and it looked like a pond because the tarp fell off. I immediately added shock, algaecide and brushed the bottom. It took about 4 days for the pool to start looking more like a pool, however, the water is still pretty cloudy. The chemicals seem to be at the right levels according to the pool store so I am at a loss as to what to do now.

I was thinking part of the problem was getting the leaves off the bottom, but I did finally manage to do that, however, I can see tiny pieces of dirt/leaves floating around along with something that appears fibrous in nature. I put in Clarifier 3 times hoping it would help with the suspended particles, but apparently it didn't.

Yesterday I added shock and some more algaecide hoping that would help, it didn't. Any suggestions on what to do next.

[Watermom]

Welcome to the forum. I think we can probably help you but a couple of things we will need first:
1. We need current water testing results taken with a drops-based kit (no test strips). It is best if you test your own water rather than relying on a pool store because most pool stores do not always give accurate readings. The kit we recommend is the Taylor K-2006 or 2006C.

2. Please tell us exactly what all you have put in your pool --- ingredients -- not just "shock."

3. Tell us what type and size (volume) your pool is.

4. Don't add any more algaecide or clarifier or anything else right now until you give us some readings to look at.

5. Run your pump 24/7 while you are trying to clear the water. Watch your filter pressure and backwash whenever the pressure rises 8-10 psi over clean filter pressure.

Repost with the needed info and somebody here can help you. Again, welcome!

[AnnaK]

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

It would help us to better advise you if we knew a few things about your pool and the water test results.

How many gallons? Vinyl/plaster/fiberglass? Type of filtration system?

From the pool store's test: FC, TC, Alk, pH, CH, CYA (stabilizer) ?

You need to get all the debris off the bottom. You can scoop up the larger pieces with a leaf net and you can vacuum the smaller debris. You'll also want to brush the floor to help the fine particles stay in solution so they can be filtered out. Your pump needs to run 24/7.

We advocate the BBB Method here which uses regular household bleach rather than pool store "Shock" products, and we use clarifiers and algaecides only under some very specific circumstances. We can help you get the pool cleaned up but it'll take some time and work on your part.

You may want to read the "Stickies". They pretty much contain all the information you'll need to make your water sparkle.

[wxwmn02]

1. We need current water testing results taken with a drops-based kit (no test strips). It is best if you test your own water rather than relying on a pool store because most pool stores do not always give accurate readings. The kit we recommend is the Taylor K-2006 or 2006C.

Sorry don't have this and I have been using the strips, but I see now that those are a no no. :-(


2. Please tell us exactly what all you have put in your pool --- ingredients -- not just "shock."

This is what I used to shock my pool...Dry chlorinating granules for swimming pools. 73% Calcium Hypochlorite. or...http://www.lesliespool.com/browse/Ho...100010/I/14181


3. Tell us what type and size (volume) your pool is. The pool is a circular, 10K gallons with a sand filter.


4. Don't add any more algaecide or clarifier or anything else right now until you give us some readings to look at.

I'll have readings tomorrow...was going to have those today, but hubby couldn't make it to the store. :-( so stay tuned.

5. Run your pump 24/7 while you are trying to clear the water. Watch your filter pressure and backwash whenever the pressure rises 8-10 psi over clean filter pressure.

I have been running the pump since the first day. The psi is just over 10 and when I back wash it's near 20. Not sure if that's normal or not, but it is of concern to me since I am not sure if it's backwashing correctly.

I have vacuumed everything off the bottom which happened about a week ago. I did read some of the stickies (I think that is what they were) and didn't find exactly what I was looking for. I think more than anything I am concerned about the filter/backwash. I pulled off the multiport valve to see if there was any obstruction, but couldn't see any. I just know that that when I back wash, the water doesn't have much strength to it.

Thank you for your help, I look forward to your words of wisdom when I have my chemical levels. :-)

[wxwmn02]

One more question...why is the Taylor K-2006 better than strips? I have only been a pool owner for 2 years (this being my 2nd summer) so I am a newbie.

[Watermom]

Hi again!

We like readings from drops based kits because they are more accurate than the strips. Also, pool stores will give you widely varying results. That is why we recommend doing your own testing with a good kit.

Did you also use cal-hypo as your source of chlorine last year? Getting a calcium hardness reading for us will be important as well as the other things -- pH, alk, cya, and at least two of the following three: FC, CC, TC.

Your filter pressures sound about right. My clean pressure is around 10-12 usually and I typically backwash when it hits around 20 or so.

I am thinking this is probably a vinyl pool, probably above ground. Is that right?

We'll be looking for your test results and then we'll help you get this pool sparkling!

[wxwmn02]

Yes, it's a vinyl, above ground pool. Sorry forgot to mention that.
Ok here's the #s...
FC = 5
TC = 5
PH = 7.4
Alk = 90
CYA = 50
CH = did not test for.

Yes, the shock I mentioned in my first post is the same stuff we used last summer.

Look forward to hearing from you.

BTW...bought bleach for the next time I need to shock and also purchased the test kit you recommended.

[Watermom]

Ok. Your numbers don't look too bad at all, but we really need that Calcium hardness reading. I suspect that maybe using cal-hypo exclusively for an extended period of time may have built up your calcium level quite a bit and that could possibly be the reason for your cloudy water. That may or may not be true. Also, the cal-hypo itself can cause cloudy water. I'd suggest no more cal-hypo and just use bleach. Glad you bought some.

Since your pool is still cloudy, I'm going to suggest that you go ahead and shock the pool with bleach. With a cya reading of 50, (which is a good level, by the way) you will need to shock up to a cl level of 15 and try and hold it there for a bit. Try and test a couple of times today and each time, add enough bleach to get the cl back up to 15. Do this sometime during the day today and then this evening when the sun is off the pool. Then, in the morning before the sun is on the pool, test again and see if you lost any chlorine overnight. If you lose no more than 1ppm from sundown to sunup, then it will tell us that you water probably doesn't contain any algae and you should be able to let the cl level drift down. With cya of 50, you'll want to always keep your chlorine between 3-5 ppm. If you go below 3, you'll risk another algae bloom.

In a 10,000 gallon pool, each quart of 6% bleach will raise the cl level by 1.5ppm.

Another thing that could be clouding your water is just the dead algae from your previous algae bloom that just needs to filter out. Continue running your pump/filter 24/7 while clearing your pool.

Another thing you can do that may help is to buy some skimmer socks to help catch the small particulate in the water. You may also want to try adding a little DE to your sand filter. Some of us do that and it helps. You can read about that here:

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=3742

I've given you several things to try. Keep us posted how it is going and also repost with your calcium hardness reading.

[wxwmn02]

I won't have my test kit for awhile since I ordered it on amazon so I'll just have to wing it with the cl (assuming that stands for chlorine level?) I am going to go add bleach to my pool now. How long after I add it, can I swim in the pool? Just curious since I know with shock you have to wait awhile.

[Watermom]

If it is just a maintenance dose of bleach you can swim maybe 15-30 minutes later. Just want to give it time to disperse in the water so you don't swim through a "hot pocket" of bleach. It is actually ok to swim in higher cl levels than you think but you just don't want to wear a new suit. Better to wear an old one that you won't care if it fades. There is no magic number to swim in. I probably wouldn't swim if it was higher than 10 in my pool but there is no set cutoff number.

What kit did you buy from Amazon and what price? I have always had really fast service any time I have ordered things from Amazon so hopefully your kit will be here soon.