Dusty Bottom/Cloudy Water Issues

[Watermom]

Yes, it is ok to let it come down to 15. Test it this evening and if it hasn't dropped to 15ppm, don't add any more chlorine. If it has, add enough chlorine to take it back up to 15. By the way, what are you using to chlorinate with?

[MattTexas]

I'm using this stuff: http://www.lesliespool.com/Home/Pool...ock/14181.html

I apply it into the skimmer. Yeah, I know (now) that I could use bleach from the grocery store, but I bought this in bulk, so I thought I might as well keep using it as long as I have it. Do you see anything about it that could be harmful? My assumption is it is just granular chlorine that dissolves quickly.

I'd also kind-of like to know for future reference. I want to support my local pool store, and I don't mind buying chlorine there, even if its more than I'd pay for grocery items at Wal-Mart.

[MattTexas]

Update: last night I brought the level up to 15ppm. As of about 2 hours after dawn this morning, I had lost 2ppm (reading was 13). No growth showing on walls. A little less cloudy, but there is a large buildup of brown-ish "dust" in the crevices of the floor.

On a related note: anyone have advice on whether I should put some DE in the skimmer basket to test the filter and to help the filter catch smaller particles? I have zeo sand in my filter.

[PoolDoc]

Hi Matt;

• Your chlorine from Leslies is 73% strength cal hypo -- it's good stuff for this purpose.
• You do NOT need to test your filter with DE; it's been catching algae, so it's working fine.
• You will improve your kill by BRUSHING all the areas where algae has appeared, even if you can't see algae there now.
• You should brush in the evenings AFTER adding chlorine.
• If you will raise borates in your pool to around 60 ppm, your pool will be more resistant to this type of algae.
• BUT, borates are something in addition, not a replacement for chlorine.

It's much easier to answer your questions, when we have the details about your pool in one place. We often 'waste' the first few posts back and forth collecting information. So, please complete our new Pool Chart form -- it takes about 30 seconds, but will save much more than that.

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If you are interested in the borate thing, you'll need about 20 boxes of 20 Mule Team borax, and about 6 gallons of acid - maybe $150. Don't do this if your pool is leaking, or if you are planning to drain it anytime soon. And, ask before you start. There are some other things to do.

[MattTexas]

Update for Jun 13: Water was at 15ppm at dusk last night. Just tested about 2 hours after sunrise. It is at 14ppm with <.5 CC.

HOWEVER, it is still moderately cloudy. I can see the bottom of the pool, but it is very murky and blue.

What needs to be done to get rid of the cloudiness? Let everything settle and vac?

Right now my pump is running 24 hrs/day.

[Watermom]

Looks like you are making progress but since it has only been one day since you reported a 2ppm chlorine loss overnight and your pool is still cloudy, I'd keep the chlorine at shock level for another day and repeat the overnight test again tomorrow night.

Is your filter pressure rising? For now, keep your pump running 24/7.

[MattTexas]

I was out of town last night, but I had my teenager add enough chlorine to keep it superchlorinated until I get back. I'll run the test again tomorrow.

As to the pressure rising - the answer is "not really." For whatever reason, this tank has never showed increases in pressure over time when I use the filter. I flush lots and lots of brown and (occasionally) green gunk out of it when I do backwash, but the pressure never seems to rise. I've had two gagues on it, and they've both been this way. Not sure why.

[PoolDoc]

A little less cloudy, but there is a large buildup of brown-ish "dust" in the crevices of the floor.

If this is occurring on vertical, rather than horizontal surfaces, it's mustard algae, not debris. It *may* be mustard algae, regardless.

anyone have advice on whether I should put some DE in the skimmer basket to test the filter

Yes, but only a few cups.

and to help the filter catch smaller particles? I have zeo sand in my filter.

No. This doesn't always work out well, and can cause problems in some cases.

[MattTexas]

Ben-

This is DEFINITELY on the pool floor, and its generally falling into crevices that are perpendicular to the water circulation pattern, i.e.

----> | |


They tend to be along the edge more than the center, but definitely on the floor of the pool.

I'm brushing it at dusk every evening - at the same time I chlorinate.

Pump still going 24 hrs.

- Matt

[MattTexas]

@PoolDoc-

You had earlier indicated I didn't need to test my filter because you believed it was "catching algae." I think you based this on my report that, when I backwash, I get green and or brown gunk.

Would there be any harm in trying the DE test just to be sure?

Thanks to everyone for the ongoing help!