Ok I'm going nuts here...

My in ground pool is cloudy, I can barely see the bottom of the shallow
end of the pool (roughly 15 x 30). I have been maintaining it, keeping
the chlorine and pH levels in check, at least I think I am...

I have three test kits, two strip based tests and one solution/drop
based. The problem is the two strip based tests are consistent with
each other but give me completely opposite results from the
solution/drops based test. Usually the strips tell me my pH is too low
(~6) and the solutions tell me the pH is a bit high (~7.8+). Which one
do I go with??

Here's the kicker, I brought a sample of the water to my local pool
store (a fairly popular chain) and their results on that particular day
agreed with the solution based test. Problem is they said everything
was fine, coloring and pH levels were fine and the guy's best guess for
the cloudy water was to "shock" it was 40% algaecide. I have put the
40% algaecide in the pool, according to volume and instructions. No
improvement.

I vacuum it regularly. As of today, chlorine levels are fine and pH is
a bit high according to the solution test and too low according to the
strips. I decided to go with the solution result and added a pH-
product. I have added a clarifier product many times (in the form of
tablets that you drop in the skimmer), still to no result.

Really need help here, going absolutely nuts.

Have you checked your filter for holes or leaks?

Bob

"Bob" wrote in message
oups.com...
Ok I'm going nuts here...

My in ground pool is cloudy, I can barely see the bottom of the shallow
end of the pool (roughly 15 x 30). I have been maintaining it, keeping
the chlorine and pH levels in check, at least I think I am...

I have three test kits, two strip based tests and one solution/drop
based. The problem is the two strip based tests are consistent with
each other but give me completely opposite results from the
solution/drops based test. Usually the strips tell me my pH is too low
(~6) and the solutions tell me the pH is a bit high (~7.8+). Which one
do I go with??

Here's the kicker, I brought a sample of the water to my local pool
store (a fairly popular chain) and their results on that particular day
agreed with the solution based test. Problem is they said everything
was fine, coloring and pH levels were fine and the guy's best guess for
the cloudy water was to "shock" it was 40% algaecide. I have put the
40% algaecide in the pool, according to volume and instructions. No
improvement.

I vacuum it regularly. As of today, chlorine levels are fine and pH is
a bit high according to the solution test and too low according to the
strips. I decided to go with the solution result and added a pH-
product. I have added a clarifier product many times (in the form of
tablets that you drop in the skimmer), still to no result.

Really need help here, going absolutely nuts.

Here's something. Clarifiers, when overdone, will cause cloudy
conditions also. Who'd a thunk it? I've had good results with the
concentrated liquid form of clarifiers, mixed and applied according to
directions. Tom

I have had similar experience with strips not agreeinng with solution tests.
I trust the solution tests over the strip tests. I believe they are more
sensitive.

I would try a clarifier to get rid of the haze.


"Bob" wrote in message
oups.com...
Ok I'm going nuts here...

My in ground pool is cloudy, I can barely see the bottom of the shallow
end of the pool (roughly 15 x 30). I have been maintaining it, keeping
the chlorine and pH levels in check, at least I think I am...

I have three test kits, two strip based tests and one solution/drop
based. The problem is the two strip based tests are consistent with
each other but give me completely opposite results from the
solution/drops based test. Usually the strips tell me my pH is too low
(~6) and the solutions tell me the pH is a bit high (~7.8+). Which one
do I go with??

Here's the kicker, I brought a sample of the water to my local pool
store (a fairly popular chain) and their results on that particular day
agreed with the solution based test. Problem is they said everything
was fine, coloring and pH levels were fine and the guy's best guess for
the cloudy water was to "shock" it was 40% algaecide. I have put the
40% algaecide in the pool, according to volume and instructions. No
improvement.

I vacuum it regularly. As of today, chlorine levels are fine and pH is
a bit high according to the solution test and too low according to the
strips. I decided to go with the solution result and added a pH-
product. I have added a clarifier product many times (in the form of
tablets that you drop in the skimmer), still to no result.

Really need help here, going absolutely nuts.

How old is the water? What's a total dissolved solids (TDS) test show?

"Bob" wrote in message oups.com...
Ok I'm going nuts here...

My in ground pool is cloudy, I can barely see the bottom of the shallow
end of the pool (roughly 15 x 30). I have been maintaining it, keeping
the chlorine and pH levels in check, at least I think I am...

I have three test kits, two strip based tests and one solution/drop
based. The problem is the two strip based tests are consistent with
each other but give me completely opposite results from the
solution/drops based test. Usually the strips tell me my pH is too low
(~6) and the solutions tell me the pH is a bit high (~7.8+). Which one
do I go with??

Here's the kicker, I brought a sample of the water to my local pool
store (a fairly popular chain) and their results on that particular day
agreed with the solution based test. Problem is they said everything
was fine, coloring and pH levels were fine and the guy's best guess for
the cloudy water was to "shock" it was 40% algaecide. I have put the
40% algaecide in the pool, according to volume and instructions. No
improvement.

I vacuum it regularly. As of today, chlorine levels are fine and pH is
a bit high according to the solution test and too low according to the
strips. I decided to go with the solution result and added a pH-
product. I have added a clarifier product many times (in the form of
tablets that you drop in the skimmer), still to no result.

Really need help here, going absolutely nuts.

"Bob" wrote in message
oups.com...
Ok I'm going nuts here...

My in ground pool is cloudy, I can barely see the bottom of the shallow
end of the pool (roughly 15 x 30). I have been maintaining it, keeping
the chlorine and pH levels in check, at least I think I am...

I have three test kits, two strip based tests and one solution/drop
based. The problem is the two strip based tests are consistent with
each other but give me completely opposite results from the
solution/drops based test. Usually the strips tell me my pH is too low
(~6) and the solutions tell me the pH is a bit high (~7.8+). Which one
do I go with??

Here's the kicker, I brought a sample of the water to my local pool
store (a fairly popular chain) and their results on that particular day
agreed with the solution based test. Problem is they said everything
was fine, coloring and pH levels were fine and the guy's best guess for
the cloudy water was to "shock" it was 40% algaecide. I have put the
40% algaecide in the pool, according to volume and instructions. No
improvement.

I vacuum it regularly. As of today, chlorine levels are fine and pH is
a bit high according to the solution test and too low according to the
strips. I decided to go with the solution result and added a pH-
product. I have added a clarifier product many times (in the form of
tablets that you drop in the skimmer), still to no result.

Really need help here, going absolutely nuts.

Take a sample to your local pool supply. They usually test for free and will
tell you what you need to do. they test for many more conditions than the
usual test kit does....good luck :)

"Bob" wrote in message
oups.com...
Ok I'm going nuts here...

My in ground pool is cloudy, I can barely see the bottom of the shallow
end of the pool (roughly 15 x 30). I have been maintaining it, keeping
the chlorine and pH levels in check, at least I think I am...

I have three test kits, two strip based tests and one solution/drop
based. The problem is the two strip based tests are consistent with
each other but give me completely opposite results from the
solution/drops based test. Usually the strips tell me my pH is too low
(~6) and the solutions tell me the pH is a bit high (~7.8+). Which one
do I go with??

Here's the kicker, I brought a sample of the water to my local pool
store (a fairly popular chain) and their results on that particular day
agreed with the solution based test. Problem is they said everything
was fine, coloring and pH levels were fine and the guy's best guess for
the cloudy water was to "shock" it was 40% algaecide. I have put the
40% algaecide in the pool, according to volume and instructions. No
improvement.

I vacuum it regularly. As of today, chlorine levels are fine and pH is
a bit high according to the solution test and too low according to the
strips. I decided to go with the solution result and added a pH-
product. I have added a clarifier product many times (in the form of
tablets that you drop in the skimmer), still to no result.

Really need help here, going absolutely nuts.

Testing the water is fine. When did you last test/clean/service your filter?
Clarifier only coats the media in the filter and renders it useless. ( my
experience )
Me thinks you clarifier the filter into "service time"
As another poster mentioned the dissolved solids may be an issue

How many hours per day are you running the filter? Backwashed lately?

--
Remove -NOSPAM- to contact me.

I am also new to the pool world. And noticed my pool seemed to have allot of
partials in it ( especially at the night with lights on) I was cleaning the
filter ( cartridge type) once a month a pool service guy told me not to
clean that often. I guess a little dirt on the filament helps filter the
small partials. So it's been about 3 month the pressure is about were it
started 15 PSI the pool looks great. Are you are having your water checked
about once a month? I also was going to a large pool supply a fairly
popular chain as you say starts with les ends with lee. That was my first
big mistake.






"Bob" wrote in message
oups.com...
Ok I'm going nuts here...

My in ground pool is cloudy, I can barely see the bottom of the shallow
end of the pool (roughly 15 x 30). I have been maintaining it, keeping
the chlorine and pH levels in check, at least I think I am...

I have three test kits, two strip based tests and one solution/drop
based. The problem is the two strip based tests are consistent with
each other but give me completely opposite results from the
solution/drops based test. Usually the strips tell me my pH is too low
(~6) and the solutions tell me the pH is a bit high (~7.8+). Which one
do I go with??

Here's the kicker, I brought a sample of the water to my local pool
store (a fairly popular chain) and their results on that particular day
agreed with the solution based test. Problem is they said everything
was fine, coloring and pH levels were fine and the guy's best guess for
the cloudy water was to "shock" it was 40% algaecide. I have put the
40% algaecide in the pool, according to volume and instructions. No
improvement.

I vacuum it regularly. As of today, chlorine levels are fine and pH is
a bit high according to the solution test and too low according to the
strips. I decided to go with the solution result and added a pH-
product. I have added a clarifier product many times (in the form of
tablets that you drop in the skimmer), still to no result.

Really need help here, going absolutely nuts.

There's nothing wrong with Leslie's. They sell, you buy. Please don't
blame them if you don't know what to buy or how to use it. Any free
advice they dispense is worth what you pay for it. I have bought pool
chemicals and equipment from Leslie's for the better part of thirty
years with excellent results.

Boden


Sacramento Dave wrote:
I am also new to the pool world. And noticed my pool seemed to have allot of
partials in it ( especially at the night with lights on) I was cleaning the
filter ( cartridge type) once a month a pool service guy told me not to
clean that often. I guess a little dirt on the filament helps filter the
small partials. So it's been about 3 month the pressure is about were it
started 15 PSI the pool looks great. Are you are having your water checked
about once a month? I also was going to a large pool supply a fairly
popular chain as you say starts with les ends with lee. That was my first
big mistake.






"Bob" wrote in message
oups.com...

Ok I'm going nuts here...

My in ground pool is cloudy, I can barely see the bottom of the shallow
end of the pool (roughly 15 x 30). I have been maintaining it, keeping
the chlorine and pH levels in check, at least I think I am...

I have three test kits, two strip based tests and one solution/drop
based. The problem is the two strip based tests are consistent with
each other but give me completely opposite results from the
solution/drops based test. Usually the strips tell me my pH is too low
(~6) and the solutions tell me the pH is a bit high (~7.8+). Which one
do I go with??

Here's the kicker, I brought a sample of the water to my local pool
store (a fairly popular chain) and their results on that particular day
agreed with the solution based test. Problem is they said everything
was fine, coloring and pH levels were fine and the guy's best guess for
the cloudy water was to "shock" it was 40% algaecide. I have put the
40% algaecide in the pool, according to volume and instructions. No
improvement.

I vacuum it regularly. As of today, chlorine levels are fine and pH is
a bit high according to the solution test and too low according to the
strips. I decided to go with the solution result and added a pH-
product. I have added a clarifier product many times (in the form of
tablets that you drop in the skimmer), still to no result.

Really need help here, going absolutely nuts.

Boden wrote: There's nothing wrong with Leslie's.

Well, I'd have to disagree
with you on that one. The kids they staff the place with in my town
have no concept of record-keeping, and if you order something, you'd
better watch them write/enter it. Forget phoning in any special orders.
In-stock chemicals and parts are all that I will purchase from them,
nowadays. Tom

On Mon, 10 Oct 2005 22:31:20 -0700, tom wrote:

Boden wrote: There's nothing wrong with Leslie's.

Well, I'd have to disagree
with you on that one. The kids they staff the place with in my town
have no concept of record-keeping, and if you order something, you'd
better watch them write/enter it. Forget phoning in any special orders.
In-stock chemicals and parts are all that I will purchase from them,
nowadays. Tom

I always mail-ordered from Leslies. They did put a store in town, but it
was significantly more expensive than by mail.

--
Keith

"boden" wrote in message
...
There's nothing wrong with Leslie's. They sell, you buy. Please don't
blame them if you don't know what to buy or how to use it. Any free
advice they dispense is worth what you pay for it. I have bought pool
chemicals and equipment from Leslie's for the better part of thirty
years with excellent results.

They have no problem selling you crap you don't need. They have pointed me
in the wrong direction twice each time getting about $80 out of me. Plus 3
of my neighbors with pools said they are not the place to go so it's just
not me.

Early in this thread someone suggested checking your filter for holes.
If you have a DE filter I urge you to do this. I've had DE filters in
which a very small tear occurred in just one of the filter elements.
Enough DE was able to pass back to the pool so that after running the
filtration system for 4 to 6 hours the water was rendered cloudy. No
amount of chemistry will correct this. Only replacing the filter
element solved my problem, and I suspect you have the same problem.
It's a dirty job but can be done in a Saturday morning.

Bob wrote:
Ok I'm going nuts here...

My in ground pool is cloudy, I can barely see the bottom of the shallow
end of the pool (roughly 15 x 30). I have been maintaining it, keeping
the chlorine and pH levels in check, at least I think I am...

I have three test kits, two strip based tests and one solution/drop
based. The problem is the two strip based tests are consistent with
each other but give me completely opposite results from the
solution/drops based test. Usually the strips tell me my pH is too low
(~6) and the solutions tell me the pH is a bit high (~7.8+). Which one
do I go with??

Here's the kicker, I brought a sample of the water to my local pool
store (a fairly popular chain) and their results on that particular day
agreed with the solution based test. Problem is they said everything
was fine, coloring and pH levels were fine and the guy's best guess for
the cloudy water was to "shock" it was 40% algaecide. I have put the
40% algaecide in the pool, according to volume and instructions. No
improvement.

I vacuum it regularly. As of today, chlorine levels are fine and pH is
a bit high according to the solution test and too low according to the
strips. I decided to go with the solution result and added a pH-
product. I have added a clarifier product many times (in the form of
tablets that you drop in the skimmer), still to no result.

Really need help here, going absolutely nuts.

On 10 Oct 2005 13:13:51 -0700, "Bob" wrote:

Ok I'm going nuts here...

My in ground pool is cloudy, I can barely see the bottom of the shallow
end of the pool (roughly 15 x 30). I have been maintaining it, keeping
the chlorine and pH levels in check, at least I think I am...

===========================


Look for minerals, and disolved
solids.... but really look at the Calcium Content... .

Any "good" pool supply store can test your water ...key work is "good"
..
My pool is now over 30 years old and it really has been almost problem
free over all those years but in almost every instance when my pool
colouded up all of a sudden it was fromt he lack of calcium ...heck
one year I needed to dump close to 100 pounds in it to get it
clear...never did figure that one out...

I may test my pool maybe 3-4 times a Summer...and I use strips
only because they are easier to use....I am in my 60's and will admit
that reading the color off these things is kind of a guess....is it
red? no maybe reddish orange?.. heck its not brown anyway....
I do own a couple of soliution based kits but I can not remember the
last time I even used one...long enough that I would want new reagents
if I did...


Bob G.

On Mon, 10 Oct 2005 13:13:51 -0700, Bob wrote:

Ok I'm going nuts here...

My in ground pool is cloudy, I can barely see the bottom of the shallow
end of the pool (roughly 15 x 30). I have been maintaining it, keeping
the chlorine and pH levels in check, at least I think I am...

Total alkalinity?

I have three test kits, two strip based tests and one solution/drop
based. The problem is the two strip based tests are consistent with
each other but give me completely opposite results from the
solution/drops based test. Usually the strips tell me my pH is too low
(~6) and the solutions tell me the pH is a bit high (~7.8+). Which one
do I go with??

You need to know what they're testing. One is likely testing total
alkalinity and the other pH. My guess is that you have the alkalinity way
outta whack (have you been adding bakin soda?). I had a similar problem
once. My pH was down around 6.8 and it wouldn't come up. The pool store
told me to add 3/4 gallon of muritatic acid, which I thought was nutz!
Sure 'nuff, the next day the pH bounced up to 7.6 and stayed pretty much
there as long as I owned the pool (another ten years).

Here's the kicker, I brought a sample of the water to my local pool
store (a fairly popular chain) and their results on that particular day
agreed with the solution based test. Problem is they said everything
was fine, coloring and pH levels were fine and the guy's best guess for
the cloudy water was to "shock" it was 40% algaecide. I have put the
40% algaecide in the pool, according to volume and instructions. No
improvement.

Have you tried a flocking agent? I had a bacteria problem one year that
wouldn't go away. It was *eating* chlorine. The flocking agent cleaned
it right up.

I vacuum it regularly. As of today, chlorine levels are fine and pH is
a bit high according to the solution test and too low according to the
strips. I decided to go with the solution result and added a pH-
product. I have added a clarifier product many times (in the form of
tablets that you drop in the skimmer), still to no result.

Try a flocking agent. It should stick the stuff together so your filter
can clean it up.

Really need help here, going absolutely nuts.

As you've noticed, pool chemistry is pretty much a black art. ;-) Goood
luck! (glad I got rid of the pool!)

--
Keith

Is there construction in the area? The dust from earth moving (you can't
even see it) can eat up available chlorine. THe pool-o-rama guy told me
this. He said shock everyday until they are done with the subdivision a
block away. SUre enough as soon as the earth movers were done my pool
clarity came back.

"keith" wrote in message
news
On Mon, 10 Oct 2005 13:13:51 -0700, Bob wrote:

Ok I'm going nuts here...

My in ground pool is cloudy, I can barely see the bottom of the shallow
end of the pool (roughly 15 x 30). I have been maintaining it, keeping
the chlorine and pH levels in check, at least I think I am...

Total alkalinity?

I have three test kits, two strip based tests and one solution/drop
based. The problem is the two strip based tests are consistent with
each other but give me completely opposite results from the
solution/drops based test. Usually the strips tell me my pH is too low
(~6) and the solutions tell me the pH is a bit high (~7.8+). Which one
do I go with??

You need to know what they're testing. One is likely testing total
alkalinity and the other pH. My guess is that you have the alkalinity way
outta whack (have you been adding bakin soda?). I had a similar problem
once. My pH was down around 6.8 and it wouldn't come up. The pool store
told me to add 3/4 gallon of muritatic acid, which I thought was nutz!
Sure 'nuff, the next day the pH bounced up to 7.6 and stayed pretty much
there as long as I owned the pool (another ten years).

Here's the kicker, I brought a sample of the water to my local pool
store (a fairly popular chain) and their results on that particular day
agreed with the solution based test. Problem is they said everything
was fine, coloring and pH levels were fine and the guy's best guess for
the cloudy water was to "shock" it was 40% algaecide. I have put the
40% algaecide in the pool, according to volume and instructions. No
improvement.

Have you tried a flocking agent? I had a bacteria problem one year that
wouldn't go away. It was *eating* chlorine. The flocking agent cleaned
it right up.

I vacuum it regularly. As of today, chlorine levels are fine and pH is
a bit high according to the solution test and too low according to the
strips. I decided to go with the solution result and added a pH-
product. I have added a clarifier product many times (in the form of
tablets that you drop in the skimmer), still to no result.

Try a flocking agent. It should stick the stuff together so your filter
can clean it up.

Really need help here, going absolutely nuts.

As you've noticed, pool chemistry is pretty much a black art. ;-) Goood
luck! (glad I got rid of the pool!)

--
Keith

Hi;

Thanks for everyone's replies and suggestions. I have a Sand filter,
but did check for holes and leaks, didn't find any.

Regardless, I was able to fix the problem, although it was through dumb
luck... I read up on the subject in a number of websites and older ng
threads, among the solutions/causes, it seemed water imbalance was
always the #1 reason, so I just took a chance and dumped about 800
grams of pH - in the pool, even if the solution test and the store said
my pH was fine. Well, whatever it was, it went away and the pool
cleared up crystal clear within 4 hours and has pretty much stayed that
way since. I'm no longer thinking of dumping cement in it. g

It's pretty pool closing time now here, so I was just trying to
maintain it because I heard from a few sources that if you can maintain
it before closing it, it will be less of a bitch to open next year.
And since we're on the subject... the previous owner of the house/pool
said he never put a cover/mesh on the pool for the winter. He just
made sure the pick up the leaves/debris before it froze, then left it
like that. Is that a good idea? I mean, do you think he did that
strictly for an economical reason (which I don't see why since a mesh
for my pool size would "only" be about $100) or was there another
reason to avoid covering the pool in winter? I live in the great white
north (Canada), so we get a ton of snow.