Solution 2 Balance Chlorine Levels
You should be interested in two types of Chlorine levels in your pool: Free Chlorine and Combined Chlorine levels. While the former is a measure of how much chlorine is available to sanitize your pool, the other measures how much chlorine is in combined form- and should be kept as low as possible.
To boost free chlorine density, use a pool shock having about 60% 80% Calcium hypochlorite to shock your pool.
To combat the free chlorine-depleting effect of the suns UV rays, you can cyanuric acid as needed. The ideal cyanuric acid level is between 30 50 ppm.
How To Fix Cloudy Pool Water After Shocking
If youre providing proper maintenance to your pool via shocking, then you may have noticed that the water looks cloudy afterward.
Now, youre probably wondering, How to make my pool water clear if Im taking care of it properly?
Theres no need to worry, however, as its a normal occurrence. Typically, its temporary so it may fix itself within 24 hours.
You may also clean your filter or use a pool clarifier to resolve the problem.
How To Use Pool Flocculant
Pool flocculant, also known as Pool Floc, causes the particles to coagulate together, creating large clumps that sink to the bottom of your pool. Pool flocculant is much faster and more powerful than a pool clarifier, but it takes much more work and requires a lot of manual vacuuming.
The coagulated particles cannot be removed by your filter, so you must be able to vacuum the water out of your pool while bypassing your filter media.
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Use A Pool Flocculant
Using a pool flocculant )also known as pool floc) is a quick fix to clear cloudy pool water. However, it requires some extra work on your part.
A flocculent is a chemical that gathers the particles in your pool water making it cloudy and then sinks them to the bottom of the pool.
Next, you will have to use a pool pump to vacuum the particles out of your pool. Ensure to manually vacuum the particles out and not use an automatic vacuum because it will end up blowing the larger particles right back to the top of the pool, making it cloudy again.
Using a flocculent will mean youre going to have to replace your pool filter cartilage in the next few days because the flocculent will clog them no matter what. Therefore, this fix should only be used for quick overnight results.
The process also requires you to manually vacuum the particles out and wastes a lot of water, so it is generally not on the top of the lift of cloudy pool remedies.
When Cloudy Pool Water Wont Clear Up
Stubborn cloudy water issues are a pain! If youve followed the steps above and your water still has a hazy appearance, there are a few more things you can check.
As we mentioned earlier, take a good, hard look at your pool filter. Does it need new filter media? Age and consistent use eventually take their toll, and your filter loses its ability to capture smaller particles as the media wears out. Also consider if the filter is sized properly to accommodate your pool and support the flow rate of your pool pump.If your filter pressure is lower than normal, there may be a clog in the pump impeller, pump/skimmer baskets, or elsewhere in your plumbing system. Another possibility is a faulty backwash valve. Check to see if theres any air entering the system, and either refill the pool to proper levels or address air leaks as needed.
Check that your pump is operating correctly. Make sure the motor is not overheating and cycling on and off. If the pump isnt circulating for long enough each day, your filter cant do much to help clear your pool water.
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Problems Related To Filtration:
The poor pool circulation system is the reason due to which a pool looks cloudy. If you are not cleaning the filters properly or not taking care of the pump, the pool water is bound to look cloudy.
The pool circulation system can lose efficiency when it gets old. A worn-out filter is unable to remove contaminants and can cause plenty of gross water problems too.
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An Imbalance In The Calcium Levels
Whether your pools water is hard or soft, it plays a significant role in its appearance. Hard water contains a high concentration of calcium, which can cause your water to appear murky or opaque.
In addition, high calcium content doesnt just distort the appearance of your water but can also damage the pool filter and plumbing, mainly due to calcium accumulation.
Maintain Adequate Sanitizer Levels
Keeping the proper level of Free Available Chlorine is one of the most important keys to a healthy swimming pool. Without sanitizer, your pool cant fight off organic contaminants like algae or disease-causing microorganisms, including . And if it cant fight off those contaminants, they quickly take over the pool especially in warmer temperatures. This makes for unsanitary pool conditions, and the water is unsafe to swim in or enjoy.
Routinely check your water to ensure your Free Available Chlorine level stays between 2.04.0 ppm . This is the ideal chlorine level in a pool. Also keep track of your Total Available Chlorine reading. If your TAC level is 0.3 ppm higher than the FAC reading or less than 2.0 ppm, its time to shock the pool.
If using stabilized trichlor tablets, such as Leslie’s 3″ Jumbo Tabs, keep your automatic chlorinator or floating chlorine feeder full. Ensure the proper setting to provide a consistent chlorine supply throughout the week. If your levels are chronically low, your chlorinator isnt dispensing enough chlorine.
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Bioguard Powerfloc Pool Flocculant
PowerFloc Pool flocculant is effective for clearing debris from your pool by binding them together so that they sink to the bottom. Now you only have to worry about one thing- vacuuming.
This result leaves your pool sparkling clean.
Pros
- No PH requirements- just use.
- Takes 6 18 hours to bind debris.
- Safe for cartridge filter.
- Will not reduce pool water hardness.
- Now you have to vacuum.
Why Is The Pool Cloudy After A Rain
Rain water brings dirt, mud, dust, and other contaminants that contain phosphate, which breeds algae. With the presence of phosphate, the water will start to become cloudy even before the algae begins to grow. If you know a storm or shower is about to come, make sure there is ample chlorine to counter the dilution that rain water will bring, and have the filter running during the rain.
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Improve Pool Maintenance Practices
Even with the above practices, a poor pool maintenance routine will only lead to a cloudy and murky pool. Some of the maintenance practices to always carry out include the following:
- Each week, brush and clean the sides and bottom of the pool to discourage the buildup of dirt and algae.
- Frequently testing the waters chlorine, pH, calcium and other chemicals levels to check whether theyre in good balance.
- Shock the pool every week.
- Check and remove debris as frequently as possible.
- De-clumping the filter every week.
- Using the drain for in-ground pools.
- Using a vacuum cleaner for above-ground pool.
With these methods, your pool will rarely become cloudy for long. This is because most them are meant to prevent dirt and chemical imbalances in the water.
High Ph Reduces The Killing Power Of Chlorine
If the pH of your pool water is high, the effectiveness of pool chlorine is greatly reduced. This may cause the water to appear cloudy. The orange line on the graph shows that when the pH is at 6.5, chlorine is 91% effective. It also shows that when the pH is 8.5, chlorine is only 9% effective. In short, high pH locks up chlorine so check the pH regularly!
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How To Clear Up Cloudy Pool Water
Here are some tips that can be helpful in clearing a cloudy pool.
Giving your pool a deep clean:
A good scrub down for your pool is the best way to start things up. Use a heavy-duty skimmer to remove the large debris and brush the walls with a stiff pool brush. If your pool has an algae-related problem, then using a vacuum is the best way forward.
Filtering the pool water 24/7:
It doesnt mean that you filter the pool water indefinitely. Even running the pump for 8 to 10 hours a day will do the trick but you have to make sure that the filters are replaced before doing this.
It allows you to make sure that extra pool sanitizers are removed from the pool and clean water is evenly distributed.
Using bottom drains:
The skimmer at the surface of a cloudy swimming pool cant get the debris at the bottom. By turning on the bottom drains, your filter will be sucking in the sediment at the bottom of the pool with ease.
Low Water Flow Can Cause Cloudy Water
It is vital that the pump you use is the correct size for your swimming pool. If its too small, then there will be insufficient water flow to filter the water properly. Too large, and the high flow through the filter can cause the fine sand to be blown through the pipework and into your pool. Also, cloudiness may be caused from inadequate filtering time each day, even if your pump is the correct size. This means that there isnt enough pumping time for all the water in the pool to be properly filtered and chlorinated.
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Time For Some Shock Therapy
If your free chlorine levels are low and your combined chlorine levels are high, its time to shock the pool with a super high dose of chlorine. You can also use non-chlorine shock. The added chlorine goes to work breaking down the chloramines and killing off any algae, another source of cloudy pool water. If algae are the main cause of your cloudy pool water, you may have to shock the pool two or even three times to kill it all. Make sure you wait to reenter the pool until the free-chlorine levels have dropped back below 4 ppm.
There are other options that are a little less drastic than shocking the pool. If the pool isnt too murky, you can usually use pool clarifying agents or flocculant to get it clear again. Both of these chemicals work by binding to the organic compounds that are floating in your pool and causing cloudy pool water. The difference is in what they do after they attach themselves to the compounds. Clarifier binds to the tiny organic molecules and clumps together to form larger chunks, which the pool filter can more easily remove. Flocculant works by clinging to the organic compounds and them causing them to sink to the bottom of the pool. Once the flocculant has gathered at the bottom of the pool, you will need to vacuum up the debris.
Which Pool Filter Is Best
There are three types of filters: DE , cartridge , and sand. Each has its own pros and cons. A DE pool filter is the most efficient when it comes to filtration, followed by cartridge, and the sand filters. Here is my detailed guide on types of pool filters, how to select the best one, and how to properly maintain it.
Private Pools
DE and cartridge filters are recommended for home pools and may not be the best when it comes to public pools due to their tendency to clog. The filter medium for DE and cartridge filters also require frequent replacement.
Public Pools
A sand filter is always best when it comes to public or semi-public swimming pools, but the sand used in a sand filter also gets clogged and becomes ineffective, which may cause your water to be cloudy or dirty. Consequently, the sand should be replaced every year.
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What’s The Difference Between Free Chlorine Combined Chlorine And Total Chlorine
Free chlorine refers to the available chlorine that can sanitize your water. It differs from “combined chlorine,” which is chlorine that has already been used up, oxidized, or diluted with the ammonia and nitrogen compounds in the water. Unlike free chlorine, combined chlorine is ineffective after disinfecting and killing microorganisms. Total chlorine is the sum of free chlorine and combined chlorine.
How To Clear Cloudy Pool Water In 48 Hours Or Less
Cloudy pool water is caused by 4 common pool issues: poor filtration, low chlorine levels, poor water chemistry, or contaminants in the water, like debris or algae. Heres a step-by-step guide on how to fix these common issues, and how to clear cloudy pool fast using a clarifier or flocculant.
You can watch the quick video tutorial below. Or keep reading for the complete cloudy pool water troubleshooting guide.
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Improper Chlorine Or Ph Levels
Second to a dirty filter is improper chlorine or pH levels. When the pH levels are imbalanced, it renders the free chlorine ineffective and the levels decrease. Too little free chlorine forms chloramine and it is this combined chlorine that results in your pools cloudy appearance. It is recommended the combined chlorine level should always read below 0.5 ppm or just under 0 ppm.
A water pH excessing 7.8 will also cause the chlorine to be ineffective at killing bacteria and other natural organisms further affecting the waters quality and risking the overgrowth of things like algae.
Cloudy Pool After Shocking: What To Do Next
Sometimes you will find that your pool is green and not where you want to take a dip. There is a simple reason, the chemicals have gotten out of balance and this lets algae begin to grow in your pool. With a simple problem, there is generally a simple solution. In this case, the solution is to merely shock the pool. But at times that wont do it and youll be wondering Why is my pool still cloudy after shocking? There is no cause for alarm, you havent come across an alien life form, you just need a little bit more work on the pool.
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Run The Pool Pump And Filtration System
To balance the water and distribute chlorine throughout the pool, your pump and filter should be in good working order. Regularly clean out the pump and skimmer baskets to ensure good water flow, and clean the filter as needed to keep it running efficiently. To help fight off algae during warm weather, your pump should run long enough each day to turn over the water at least one time. For particularly toasty temperatures, longer run times may be necessary. If youre not sure how long to run your pump, check out our blog post for more helpful tips!
Add Pool Water Clarifier
After your pool water has circulated and your shock has dissipated, its time to add your clarifier. Clarifier helps bind tiny particles into bigger particles that your filter can capture. Be sure to read the manufacturers instructions to make sure youre adding the correct amount for your size pool.
Heres our recommendation for a pool clarifier:
Clarifier works to clear mild cloudy pool water. Add it every other day as your filter runs until your water clears. If you have extremely cloudy water, you need to use a pool flocculant.
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Chlorine Is Too Dilute Or Concentrated
Adding chlorine to pool water helps to keep your pool safe for swimmingsimple as that.
Chlorine kills off bacteria and other micro-organisms which cause unpleasant diseases and health problems like athlete’s foot, Legionnaire’s disease and ear infections .
Your pool’s chlorine levels will fluctuate based on how many people swim in it, based on the amount of rainfall you receive, and based on the amount of sunlight that shines on the water. .
The sun’s UV rays can destroy the chlorine , and lots of rainfall will also dilute its levels, giving microorganisms a chance to multiply, which affects the appearance and safety of your pool.
If the chlorine level in the water is too high, it’s also possible for the water to take on a murky or opaque appearance.
As the levels drop, due to swimmers using the pool or the sun’s rays burning it off, the cloudiness should clear up.
You should test your pool’s levels each day to make sure they aren’t too low or too high!
If a lot of people swim in your pool regularly, you might need to test the levels more frequently.
The suggested amount of free chlorine is between 2.0 and 4.0 parts per million .
How To Diagnose And Clear Cloudy Swimming Pool Water
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Pool water has to be regularly treated to maintain a pristine and sanitary appearance. Disinfecting the pool weekly or biweekly, maintaining the pool filter, the area around the pool and maintaining the proper water chemistry are all key to keeping the water pristine and clear. The most effective method to clearing cloudy pool water is to perform a full treatment on the pool before using water clarifying agents.
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