| Causes: cloudy water is usually related to one or
more of the following three key factors:
- Improper sanitation - the sanitizer level is too low in the pool.
- Improper circulation - the pump and filter are not running enough
hours per day.
- Improper water balance - pH needs to be between 7.2 and 7.8, and Total
Alkalinity (TA) should be 60-120 ppm.
There are a number of things that contribute to the above causes of cloudy
water. When these occur check to make sure your sanitizer and water
balance are in line.
- Heavy or continuous rain
- Extra swimmers (like a pool party)
- A dirty filter (slows down circulation)
- Feeder or floater is empty
- Over use of chemicals, like a stabilizer
- Heavy organic load (leaves, bugs, etc)
Solution: If the water is cloudy follow the steps below
to increase clarity in the pool:
- Shock the pool with either a chlorine or non-chlorine shock product,
following the label directions.
- Increase your pump run time to 24 hours per day until clarity returns.
Then consider increasing your pump run time per day if cloudy water
is a persistent issue. Smaller pools (under 15,000 gallons) should
start at 8 hours per day and increase if needed, while larger pools
(15,000 to 25,000 gallons) should start at 12 hours per day.
- Consider a low chlorine solution like our FROG Mineral System.
Checklist for Cloudy Water when using POOl FROG
Cloudy water is typically caused by contaminants that have built up in the water
due to one of the following factors:
Could your filter be dirty?
Check filter for proper operation and clean if dirty. Look at the pressure gauge.
If it’s more than 10 pounds above its normal operating pressure or if water flow
out of the return jets is sluggish (i.e. two-thirds of its normal force), your filter
is probably dirty and should be cleaned. After cleaning, run filtration system
continuously until water is clear.
Additional filter problems:
- Channeling in sand filters: Caused by dirty sand
contaminated with oils. Replace sand.
- Back wash valves not operating properly: Leaks cloudy
water through the returns after backwashing the pool. Replace valve.
- Rips in DE Support Fabric: Results in DE being put into the pool
water. Replace DE element.
- Torn Cartridges: Debris particles are not stopped by the
filter and reenter the pool. Replace Cartridge.
Additional circulation problems:
- Hair and Lint Strainer is filled with leaves and other
debris reducing circulation rate. Clean out.
- Skimmer basket is filled with leaves and other debris reducing
circulation rate. Clean out.
- Suction side leak causes air to enter the pump and filter
resulting in poor circulation that could result in cloudy water. Repair leak.
Could your water be out of balance?
Could your pool have experienced heavy use?
The more people in the water; the more contaminants are in the water
giving it a hazy look. This usually means your chlorine was depleted
by heavy use. Shock the pool. If cloudy water is extreme, a clarifier or
flocculents may be used.
Vacuum up settled solids from pool floor.
Could your chlorine levels be low?
If your chlorine level is very low or zero, it cannot keep up with
the demand of the environment or use. Shock the pool and reinstate the
maintenance level of chlorine.
Go to Under Chlorination for possible causes
of low chlorine levels.
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