Cloudy Water
Note: Clear water is essential to the safety and health of the bathers. Cloudy water can impair visibility of the pool's safety equipment and other bathers in the water. This creates a potentially hazardous situation.
PROBLEM: Unable to see the bottom of the pool. Water lacks sparkle, appears dull and flat.
SOLUTION: Most cloudy water problems are related to poor filtration. Operate filter at least 10 hours per day continuously until water clears.
PROBLEM: Weak flow from return inlets, poor-to-no surface activity, frequent backwash cycles, inadequate filtration due to dirty filter media (sand, D.E., cartridge)
SOLUTION: Filter should be cleaned twice each season to remove dirt and oil build up.
PROBLEM: High pH (over 7.6) and high level of total alkalinity (over 200 ppm).
SOLUTION: Ideally adjust pH to 7.4 to 7.6 with OMNI pH Decreaser. (A range of 7.2 to 7.6 is acceptable.)
PROBLEM: Build-up of organic contamination that causes dull-looking water.
SOLUTION: Oxidize contaminents with Breakout® Total. Follow label directions.
PROBLEM: Sanitizer (chlorine) level is below 1.0 ppm.
SOLUTION: Add OMNI Stabilized Chlorinating Stix, tablets, or granular chlorinating sanitizer.
PROBLEM: Difficulty in maintainng 1.0 - 3.0 ppm free chlorine residual.
SOLUTION: Increase amount of OMNI Stabilized Chlorinating Stix, tablets, or granular chlorinating products. Increase flow rate through your chlorinator and/or circulation time on pump.
PROBLEM: Early stages of algae infestation, slick or slimy walls, black spots on walls or floor, mustard-colored dust in areas of poor circulation.
SOLUTION: Refer to the Algae Troubleshooting section of this website.