Cloudy pool water is a common occurrence, but it can still come as a surprise if you do encounter it. Having a clean, clear pool is something everyone aspires to, Sometimes protecting your backyard still takes some time and experience.
However, over time, impurities and microorganisms can accumulate in the pool, causing the water to become cloudy. In such cases, it is important to use proper sanitizing methods. In this article, we will cover clear water chlorine tablets and how they can help save and purify cloudy pool water.
Cloudy Water
There are three main suspects when your pool water becomes cloudy:
Filter issues. When a person goes swimming they bring in with them all the microscopic gunk on their bodies, including body oils, dirt, skin, deodorants, soaps, and a long list of other miscellaneous stuff. Dogs are even worse, 1 dog is nearly the equivalent of 100 people!
A clogged filter can lead to cloudy water as bacteria and debris build up in the water column. It’s also possible that the filter is too old and is not running with peak efficiency, or your filter media needs to be replaced.
Chlorine deficiency. High temperatures and large amounts of sun exposure also will affect your water chemistry, as the heat and UV will burn away your pool’s chlorine quicker. If your chlorine is low, you already know that it can cause algae buildup in your pool. Algae buildup can cause cloudy or green water, but low chlorine can also lead to a buildup of other harmful bacteria and particulates that cloud up your water column.
Unbalanced chemistry. Chlorine levels aren’t the only important chemical levels in your pool. There are several aspects of water chemistry that need to be monitored when you own a pool, and any of these falling out of balance could lead to cloudy water. Remember to test your water regularly to ensure that your levels are appropriate for the pool you’re running.
7 Ways to Clear Cloudy Pool Water
Balance the free chlorine (FC) levels.
Eliminate ammonia.
Get rid of young algae.
Monitor and balance pH and TA levels.
Correct calcium hardness (CH) levels.
Backwash filter or replace filtering agent.
Remove foreign particles and mineral deposits, scrub, and vacuum up the pool.
How Many Clear Water Chlorine Tablets Should You Use?
This depends on the chlorine level that exists when you do a water test and your pool’s size (pool volume). When the pool chemistry is correct, You generally put 3 or 4 of the larger clear water chlorine tablets in my skimmer every week for your pool which holds approximately 15,000 US gallons of water.
Why Are Your Pool Still Cloudy After Shocking It?
If you’ve recently shocked your pool and it’s still cloudy, there are a few possible reasons why, related to balance and filtration. First, make sure you’re using the correct type of chlorine for your pool – some pools require calcium hypochlorite, while others need sodium hypochlorite. Also, make sure you’re shocking your pool with the correct amount of chlorine – too little won’t be effective, and too much can actually make the cloudiness worse.
Finally, give your pool filter a good cleaning – a dirty filter can cause cloudiness, even after shocking the pool.
Water Chemistry Basics
Maintaining proper water chemistry is essential for the health and safety of swimmers and the longevity of your pool equipment. Regularly test the water to monitor pH, chlorine levels, alkalinity, and calcium hardness. Learn about the ideal ranges for these parameters and the appropriate chemicals to use for adjustments. Unbalanced water can cause skin and eye irritation, algae growth, and equipment damage. Consult a professional or use reliable testing kits to ensure accurate results. Remember always to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and take precautions when handling pool chemicals.
30-60 parts per million CYA is an ideal range for non-salt water pools. If your CYA is above or below the recommended levels, use the pool math calculator to calculate how much you will need to add or remove from your pool.
Because chlorine is consumed by organic material and sunlight, the chlorine level will constantly be depleting as the algae is killed off. It’s extremely important to maintain your required shock level to ensure that the algae will not bounce back if free chlorine levels drop.
Is Stabilized Or Unstabilized Clear Water Chlorine Tablets Right For Your Pool?
It’s simple: Pool chlorine is either stabilized or unstabilized. in the case of chlorine, “stabilized” only means that it contains a chemical called cyanuric acid. Cyanuric acid shields chlorine from the sun like sunscreen but is actually.
Stabilized chlorine is the most popular because most pools are outdoors. If you have an outdoor pool, you’ll want stabilized chlorine, or your chlorine will break down and prove itself more or less completely ineffective.
Pool and Pooch Compatibility
If your dog is a frequent swimmer, it’s important to check the pool water chemistry more often to ensure chemicals are balanced. Adding a water clarifier to your pool will help break down oils and other contaminants that enter your pool after your dog swims. Doing so will also take some strain off your filter. The addition of contaminants may also lower your chlorine level, so keep some pool shock on hand.
Depending on your dog’s hair length/type, your filter, and skimmer baskets may fill up quicker than normal. Though it may not happen with every dog, cleaning your pool filter more frequently is still a good practice to keep in mind.
If you think is a hassle, you may want to think twice about letting your pooch in the pool!