How to Clear Up Cloudy Pool Water
Cloudy water indicates a problem with your swimming pool. One way to stay on top of this situation is to frequently test the pool water for levels of pH, calcium hardness, and total alkalinity, or TA. Problems with other parts of your pool, such as the drain filter, can cause cloudy pool water as well. Fortunately, the process of making your pool water crystal clear again isn't difficult. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 4-way water test kit
- pH base
- pH increaser
- TA increaser
- TA decreaser
- Calcium hardness tester strips
- CalTreat
- Calcium chloride
- Replacement drain filters
- Shock treatment kit
- Algaecide
Instructions
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1
Test the water to make sure the pH level is in the suggested range, following the directions on the testing kit. The pH level indicates the acidity of the pool water. The scale ranges from 1 to 14, with lower numbers indicating higher acid levels. Ideally, you want the pH level at 7. For high pH levels, add a pH base; for low pH levels, add a pH increaser until the level reaches the desired level.
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2
Test the water to make sure that the TA level is in an appropriate range, following the directions on the testing kit. The TA level of your pool water helps balance out the pH level. The ideal TA level of your pool should remain between 80 and 120 parts per million, or ppm, for concrete pools, and 125 to 170 ppm for vinyl, painted or fiberglass pools. Add a TA decreaser or increaser to the pool water as needed.
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3
Test the level of calcium hardness, using calcium tester strips. The calcium hardness level indicates how hard or soft the water is. The calcium hardness level should remain between 200 and 400 ppm. If you have a high calcium hardness level, add one bottle of CalTreat for every 15,000 gallons of water in your pool; if you have a low calcium hardness level, add calcium chloride to raise it.
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4
Follow the directions on your water testing kit to examine the sanitizer levels in your pool. This indicates whether the pool filter works properly. The sanitizer level should remain below 10 psi. If it iss higher, clean your pool filters.
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5
Examine the drain filters for any tears or holes. Replace any damaged filters.
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6
Follow the directions on the shock treatment kit to shock-treat the pool water.
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7
Add one bottle of algaecide and allow it to sit overnight without using the pool.
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Tips & Warnings
Test your pool water daily to prevent cloudy water.
References
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
