pool opening delayed until i can uncloud my pool

[resp215]

also, just so i can try to understand this. what exactly is the culprit here, if it can be pinpointed. low ph which allows algae growth? free floating particles that cant be filtered because they are too small? impossible to really tell via posts on a forum with minimum details?

[madwil]

the cloudy water can be any of several things, or a combination of any of them.
nascent algae bloom
suspended particles of dead algae
suspended particles of dirt/sand
poor chemical mix (usually causing 2 or 3 above)

the algae bloom is fixed with chlorine
2 can be fixed by chlorine, but easier/cheaper to filter
3 is fixed by filter
4 is fixed by balance

[aylad]

also, just so i can try to understand this. what exactly is the culprit here, if it can be pinpointed. low ph which allows algae growth? free floating particles that cant be filtered because they are too small? impossible to really tell via posts on a forum with minimum details?

adding 30 pounds of anything probably didn't help much......

Janet

[resp215]

adding 30 pounds of anything probably didn't help much......

Janet

yeah initially i went to the pool supply store and they tested the water and said that the ph was low. so in total it was 24 pounds , two 12 pd bags, of some stuff to bump the ph. luckily i found this forum otherwise i would have been back there again.

an hour ago i went to walmart and bought some generic brand bleach, 6%, 1.5 gallon jugs. i also bought a few boxes of borax. came home and put 1 jug of chlorine in the pool and a box of borax into the skimmer. a few minutes ago i checked the levels. i only have test strips that you dip in the water so until i purchase the K-2006 i will have to wing it. the alk was good, ph was still slightly low so i added another box of borat, and the chlorine was high which i thought may happen.

i will test the levels again in an hour and see where the ph falls at. i really do appreciate all the help. i was thinking about adding a bit of de into the skimmer to help my sand filter but i figured i would get my levels where they should be first and then see what you guys thought about the de idea.



oh man i almost forgot, there is another part of my setup. we just bought this house over a year ago so this is our second summer here. its a nature 2 above ground pool thing. lol i dont really know what to call it. anyway its set up but there i didnt replace the cartridge in it yet. they are pricey. is this even necessary with the bbb way of maintaining the pool? or can i eliminate it. if it is not needed can i just leave it hooked up until i shut the pool down or do i have to detach it off my setup

[resp215]

ok so i just got a chance to go check the pool again to see how the borax effected the ph. here are my results:

pool check 3n1 test strips
{ppm}
total alk80-120ish
free chl/bromine 10/20
ph 7.2

im going to add a bit more borax to get the ph to 7.8 since i think i read that is ideal.
the pool smells like a pool lol. just doesnt look like one yet

[madwil]

I wouldn't adjust the pH higher- it will probably rise on its own as you filter/aerate it.
The nature2 thing, I think, is a Silver and/or Copper based system- I don't think you want it, but the equipment experts will chime in!
Keep up the FC as best you can, and watch the pH, and your pool will clear up soon!

[resp215]

im not exactly sure how to keep the fc up. i suppose by keeping the chlorine level up as a general rule it will allow for an ample amount of fc? the sun is beating down on the pool all day so ill check it again in a few hours and try to keep on top of it.

[waste]

All you have to do about the Nature system is... nothing - just don't waste your money replacing the cartridge and simply forget the thing is there.

Check out Ben's Best Guess Chart for your chlorine v.s. cya optimal level.