Major Cloudiness Problem

[AaronDavis]

Problem: My wife and I bought a 13'x42" Intex metal frame pool. The first day we filled it was fine, we added CYA while filling and after wards shocked the pool, and were able to swim once, later that day we went out to check the pool and it was milky/cloudy. I believe it has to do with my TA and Hardness from my fill water, I used my pool test kit and tested my tap water and its coming out crazy high just like the pool, TA 300 and CH of around 500. I don't have access to any other way to fill the pool, what can I do? I am currently using Dry acid and lowing the pH to around 7.2 then aerating to raise the pH but its not exactly raising very quickly, probably due to the high TA. All my tests so far are with a cheap HTH 6-way test kit, I'll order one of the nice ones soon. Nevertheless, any help would be appreciated. My wife and I have already put alot into this thing and just want to swim. Thanks for your help.

FC: Not Sure (Only have access to OTO test right now)

TC: 3

pH: 7.2 (aerating now)

TA: 320

CH: 500

CYA: 20

My pool: 13'x42" Intex metal frame vinyl pool (approx 2800 gallon)

Pool chemicals: Initially used chlorinating granules, but switched to bleach for the last chlorine addition, using dry acid (HTH pH Minus)

My pump & filter: 1000gph Intex

[chem geek]

You can use The Pool Calculator to calculate the saturation index and see that it's around +0.4 and would be even higher when the pH was higher. This could certainly be a reason for the cloudiness.

Lowering the TA will help and to accelerate that you should lower the pH to 7.0 an aerate like crazy (turn all returns upward, add a fountain if you can, turn on waterfalls or other water features, splash a lot, use an air compressor or jet vac if you have one). As the pH rises, add more acid to keep the pH lower. As shown in this chart, a pH of 7.0 outgasses quite a lot faster than at 7.2 and you want as much outgassing as possible since removing carbon dioxide from the water and adding acid is how you ultimately get the TA lowered.