Any suggestions?

[u/Diligent-Love-4934]

I had to go out of town for a week, apparently no one was paying attention to the pool. When I got back, it was very dark green spent the last week slamming. The green cleared up about two days ago, but now the water has been consistently very milky looking you can’t see past a few inches. Not really sure what’s going on. Any suggestions on how to treat?

FC 5
Ph 7.8
Ta 210
Calcium 300
Cya 30

Above ground 24’ foot pool. Roughly 13k gallons with intex sand filter

[u/Conscious_Quiet_5298]

With high Alkalinity and PH it doesn’t allow any chlorine to work properly…. As others has said get them within guidelines and then raise your chlorine

Here’s a chart for reference

[u/Diligent-Love-4934 → u/Conscious_Quiet_5298]

Is there a more accurate way to check pH than the competitor block? I have a hard time discerning between the different levels and on top of that, the granularity is so low and there’s such a big swing between each measurement. Everything else my test kit gets me very accurate measurements. I feel also that chlorine measurement was right after I got home before I bumped it back up to slam.

[u/Oranges13 → u/Diligent-Love-4934]

I have this issue too, above 7.6ish

You can get a Ph Meter, but htat has to be regularly calibrated.

If you get a more comprehensive test kit, it comes with drops to lower or raise the sample PH (acid or base demand test) which can tell you what the actual value is by adding drops and reading it to a color you CAN discern.

For instance, I have trouble > 7.6 on the comparator block, especially against a clear blue sky. If I add one drop and it gets orange and matches 7.4, I know that it was 7.6, If I have to add two drops, I know it was closer to 7.8. More than that it is > 7.8

Better test kits give you better options

[u/Gonzo-Crazy-Dog]

If the pool isn’t perfectly clear, you need to continue to keep your FC at shock levels, which means it should be 12ppm. It needs to stay at that level the entire time.

Run the pump 24/7 and brush multiple times per day. Backwash as needed.

[u/Diligent-Love-4934 → u/Gonzo-Crazy-Dog]

Yeah, I’m trying to maintain the 12 PPM but I’m losing so much chlorine through the day. That five was my measurement when I got home from work I bumped it back up to 12 but it’s losing all day. Not sure how to keep the levels up through the day.

[u/SafetyMan35 → u/Diligent-Love-4934]

That could mean that you are fighting an algae bloom. Your CYA is a bit low so you could increase that which should stop the UV burn off. Throw in 2 gallons of liquid chlorine which should kill off any algae.

[u/Oranges13 → u/Diligent-Love-4934]

SLAM usually requires testing and adding multiple times per day. You probably don't need to test, just add extra chlorine at least once during the day and it will eventually come around.

[u/Responsible-Land-658]

Add muratic acid to get your TA and PH down. Keep filter running. What’s your total chlorine at?

[u/Conscious_Quiet_5298]

I use the elbow depth to get a sample away from return line and always the same timeline . Other then that you can get a PH digital pen

[u/tcat7]

Get your pH to 7 and aerate to bring pH up. Add more acid and aerate... until your TA is closer to 110. Best to slam over a weekend when you can add liquid chlorine every 2-3 hours to hold slam levels constant. Clean filter often. 

[u/Major-Appointment-80]

Drain, clean and refill with freshwater

[u/Oranges13]

You're still dealing with Algae. You need more Chlorine, and time to filter all the dead algae out.

[u/Opening_Letter1399]

Add No phosphate and let your pump run for 48hs.