Can Not Get My Pool Water Clear...helppp!

[Bford1022]

I have an 18 foot round above ground pool, it is 51" deep I believe. Ever since I opened my pool this year I can not get it clear! I have tried everything!!!! My latest adventure was flock, I have tried it both IN the filter and pouring it right into my pool water. Pouring it into the pool water works great because when I wake up in the morning I can see straight to the bottom of my pool because the flock gathers everything and it all sinks, however upon getting into the pool to vacuum it, just me walking from the stairs to the strainer to hook up the vacuum stirs it all back up again so it is no longer on the bottom of the pool to be vacuumed...I tried leaving the vacuum on over night but with it vacuuming to filter the jet causes the water to stir up so the flock can't settle to the bottom...I want to vacuum to waste but I'll have to walk around the inside of the pool to vacuum since I have no deck and a safety fence around the pool that restricts me from vacuuming from outside the pool.....please I'm begging for help, I have a huge party tomorrow and really wanted it to at least be clearer then this...I have under water lights and I would like to actually see how nice they can look, lol

[waterbear]

Please post a full set of test results not done with strips. I assume you have a sand filter, correct? From the description of your setup vacuuming to waste is going to be next to impossible.

Actually, you should be less worried about getting the pool clear for a party tomorrow and more worried about WHY it has been cloudy since you opened. I am going to make an educated guess that you use trichlor tabs for chlorinating and that your pool has become over stabilized so you have the beginnings of an algae bloom all the time. If this IS the case it will only get worse, start costing a lot of money on stuff that does not work, and you will end up with a full blown algae outbreak. The fix is not hard but it does require a full set of water tests and learning how to PROPERLY care for your pool.

[Bford1022]

I use baquacil to sanatize my pool, sorry for not stating that in my original post. I brought a sample of water into the pool place today and she said all my levels check out fine. She said my problem is baquacil once it is cloudy is next to impossible to get crystal clear..my husband used to be the one to care for the pool but he passed away so it has left me with a responsibility that I'm trying my best to learn...I basically keep the pool for the children but if I can't get it figured out soon it is going bye bye.

[waterbear]

I use baquacil to sanatize my pool, sorry for not stating that in my original post. I brought a sample of water into the pool place today and she said all my levels check out fine. She said my problem is baquacil once it is cloudy is next to impossible to get crystal clear..my husband used to be the one to care for the pool but he passed away so it has left me with a responsibility that I'm trying my best to learn...I basically keep the pool for the children but if I can't get it figured out soon it is going bye bye.

This is very true. Baquacil (and all other biguanide systems like Soft Swim and Revacil) work great for a few years and then the pool gets cloudy as bacteria develop an immunity to it much like they do to antibiotics. The next step is the formation of biofilms and outbreaks of white water mold and pink slime, both baterial. The only way to eradicte them is by draining the pool and santizing everything with chlorine.

My suggestion to you is to finish off the season on the Baquacil and the beginning of next season convert the pool to chlorine. It will save you a LOT of money in the long run and, once you learn how to PROPERLY care for a chlorine pool your water will always sparkle. Don't rely on the pool store with this,btw. You will want to get a good test kit (Taylor K-2006), test your own water, and learn pool care from this great forum and other likePool Forum.

For what it's worth, Pool Forum has a LOT of info about converting from briguanide to chlorine and many members who have gone through it who will be more than willing to hold your hand.

[Bford1022]

Thank you so much for your help, I have in fact made the decision to switch to chlorine next year..I have learned alot this year alone on how to take care of my pool...last year was the first year of doing this since my husband passed and I wasn't even sure how to vacuum it, lol....Thank you again for the advice, I will be doing alot of research on this site, it is very informative.