Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Causes of Water Cloudiness

There is NO SINGLE CAUSE for this, but here's a list of some of the potential causes:
  • Early algae growth caused by low or inadequate sanitizer/oxidizer levels.
  • Insufficient filtration caused by too small a filter (sized improperly, especially true with cartridge filters) or insufficient hours of filter operation.
  • Too frequent back washing or cleaning of the filter (doesn't allow filter to "reset itself" or collect enough debris which actually aids in filtration).
  • Poor circulation due to inadequate pump or positioning of the return jets.
  • Poor circulation due to lack of pool usage.
  • Overwhelming introduction of dirt & debris into the pool (overhanging trees, construction area nearby, etc.)
  • Heavy bather usage without proper additions of sanitizers/oxidizers.
  • Overwhelming introduction of "unfilterable" waste from swimmers (cosmetics, lotions, body fluids).
  • Use of Heater (water too warm) causing faster sanitizer usage.
  • Use of Solar Heating System (system is not being adequately chemically treated to kill build-up of biofilms, algae, etc.)
  • Lawn & chemical sprays "drifting" into the pool (from a neighbor).
  • HIGH pH causing sanitizer (chlorine) to work more slowly thereby allowing algae & bacteria to grow.
  • HIGH pH causing scaling to begin to occur.
  • HIGH Calcium Hardness causing scaling to occur. HIGH Calcium Hardness is due to regular usage of calcium-based chlorine (Calcium Hypochlorite such as hth, Sun, many others) or source water high in calcium hardness (over 300 ppm).
  • HIGH Calcium Hardness in conjunction with WARMER water temperature (over 85°) causing calcium to precipitate out (calcium dissolves & stays in solution BEST in cooler water) & cloud the pool.
  • Filter needing a chemical cleaning 
  • Pool not being vacuumed or brushed on a regular basis.
  • Trace heavy metals (iron, copper, manganese) present in the water.
  • Household cleaners and chemicals being used in or around the pool.
  • Broken or otherwise damaged filter lateral (sand), septum (DE) or element (cartridge).

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