Cloudy - shock????

[rferrel1]

First year with a pool in a LOOOONNGG time - first time with BBB

11,550 gal oval 15x30 AG
CYA 40
TC 12.5
CC 0
pH 7.2
water TEMP 88
(temps around here have been up around 95-100 for the last couple of weeks)

had a heavier than average bathing load this weekend BUT for me that was just 3 boys (6-10years) - Will bringing the TC up to 15 for a couple of days (per Ben's best guess CYA chart) help with the cloudiness? I realize my pH is at the bottom of optimal but so far I haven't had to mess with it much to keep it there.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[CarlD]

What are your calcium hardness and total alkalinity levels?

Is the cloud white or green?

[rferrel1]

sorry - I haven't been testing my Ca since the first time as I "assumed" it was unnecessary with a vinyl liner and I have no excuse as to why I didn't do the TA. I will do those tests this evening when I get home. I checked the chlorine this a.m. again with the "blue box" drops test and it still read 10+ so I'm not losing a lot of chlorine at night anyway.

I'll repeat all tests this evening. I am running the filter 24/7 (since Saturday)
We're expecting another 100 degree day today.

thanks for the response. Robin

[rferrel1]

cloudy - white

TA - 60
Calcium Hardness - 110

Although TC is still over 10, I added an additional quart last night to "guarantee" maintaining that today with the 100+ temps.

[CarlD]

Are you chlorinating with Cal-Hypo? If so, the usual answer is to add a dose of Muriatic acid and that should clear it. But you pH is low so you have to be careful with that, then add Borax to immediately raise it again.

[chem geek]

Just a guess, but there might be a problem with the filtration/circulation. Your numbers do not indicate cloudiness from the TA/CH/pH combo. Carl is right that adding either calcium to your pool (as with Cal-Hypo) or adding soda ash (sodium carbonate) to raise pH will often cloud the pool, but normally this goes away relatively quickly, especially in your situation with your pool water balance.

If you've got suspended particles causing the cloudy water, then your filter should normally clear that out which is why I brought up your checking your sand filter to make sure it's operating properly. I don't have a sand filter so don't know how to see if it's working correctly, needs backwashing, etc. so others will have to help on that front.

Richard