Help with opening a new above ground pool to keep the water from turning a cloudy brownish color after 3 tries?

Answer 1

It would help to know just what you are doing to or with the water. Do you have a filter and pump? Are you using it as required and recommended?

First, start be purchasing a quart or two of a water clarifier or a product to control iron in Swimming Pools. Your local pool store will direct you to the right product. Add this product to the water - follow directions on label.

Start and run your pump/filter for 24 hrs. before you add any other chemical to the pool.

Test the water with a reliable test kit for pH level and adjust if needed.

Now that the water has filtered for the stated period, add in small amounts, (a qt. at a time) 10% or 12% liquid chlorine. If after the first quart of chlor. there is no reaction or brown cloud forming you may add the balance of the gallon of chlorine. Note: you did not state the size of the pool so you may not need the full gallon.

Now add the required amount of conditioner or chlorine stabilizer :: :: formula: 5# per 10K of water. Test for conditioner level after about two weeks have past. Goal for conditioner=50 ppm. You will have to test for cond. levels about every two months or so to maintain the 50 - 80 ppm required to hold the chlorine thru summer.

Maintain chlor levels of 1.5 to 3.0. Higher if increased bather load anticipated. Also increase run time on filter if bather load is also anticipated. Normal run time on filter should be about 8 -12 hrs - summer. More if bather load is increased.

Don't forget to clean the filter about every 30 days or best yet when the pressure on the top of the filter goes about 5 to 8#'s above the "clean filter" pressure. (If it starts out clean at 12# then clean at or about 18#'s)

Ken