another cloudy pool problem

[dalejanus]

We opened the pool on 5/30. 28ft round AGP, 4ft, so around 10,000-12,000 gallons.
Half the water disappears over the winter, so we filled from hose for 24+hours. We did clear out leaves and stuff from the bottom. The water is fairly cloudy, but I can see the vacuum on the bottom.

There was no cya nor chlorine, and ph was 7. We added stabilizer though the sock method, 1 and 1/2 bottles, probably about 2 pounds total. Lots of bleach. Sand filter running 24/7.

Last night I added a box of borax. I vacuumed, and only got a few pine needles, so I think the leaves are gone.

here are my numbers:

fc 11
cc .5
ph 7.8
alk 80
cya 50 maybe less. It's hard to say when that dot disappears.

My plan is keep the FC at 15, and filter running. Pool owner patience is hard, but I guess that's what I have to do.
Maybe add a little DE to the filter. Uh, backwash it first, since we have not yet backwashed at all. Pressure seems good at 17
Any other suggestions?
---Dale

[madwil]

Sounds like your on track- but watch your pH...
at 10+ FC, you get a false high on pH, so not out of limits yet, but don't add anything that will raise the pH, and if it goes up any more add some acid to drop it; just don't drop to low while FC is high; I'd aim for maybe 7.5...

[Watermom]

By the way, I think your volume should be more like 18K or so.