Cloudy Pool Water Treatments

A cloudy pool can be frustrating? The water is clean but for some reason, no matter what you do, it remains a little cloudy. Well don’t worry, we can solve that!

Firstly, we need to work out why the water is cloudy. These are the common causes for cloudy water:

• Filtration Problems
• Not enough chlorine
• Improper pH balance
• Rainwater

Let’s look at these in more detail:

Filtration problems.
Your pool’s filter system may not be working efficiently. Without proper circulation or filtration, particles can become trapped in the water, making it cloudy. Filter systems differ but as a rule of thumb, your pool water needs to be circulated twice in a 24 hour period. See our “5 Pillars of Pool Care” article on the website Learning Centre. The other main filtration consideration is ensuring that your filter sand or cartridge, depending on what type of filter you have, is clean. See the “How to backwash a pool filter” article. There are a lot of other filter related articles for you to enjoy if you enter “filter” into the search bar. Once you have confirmed that your pool is getting sufficient filtration, add clarifier or flocculant. The difference between a clarifier and flocculant is that clarifier removes small particles by binding them together and they get removed via the pool’s filter system. Flocculant binds larger particles together which sink to the floor where they need to be vacuumed to waste. Clarifier is used on mildly cloudy pools while flocculant is best for more severely cloudy pools. See our more detailed article “Pool Flocculent Vs Pool Clarifier”.

Not enough chlorine.
Chlorine is essential for keeping a pool clean. If chlorine concentrations are too low, bacteria and algae can quickly build up, leading to cloudy pool water. To solve this, test your water using test strips and the Hy-Clor mobile app or the water testing kiosks in all Bunnings stores. (Link to our app download page). For details on how to test your water see our “How to test pool water” video and article. Testing your pool water is so easy and is a critical step to getting your pool crystal clear quickly, easily and cost effectively. Testing the water gives you the action plan. You need your chlorine level to be between 1-3ppm. For more information on chlorine, see our “Everything Chlorine” article. Once chlorine levels are at the correct levels, add flocculent or clarifier. See our more detailed article “Pool Flocculent Vs Pool Clarifier”

Improper pH balance.
The ideal pH range for a pool is between 7.2 and 7.8. When levels are outside this range, it creates an environment that allows dirt, algae, and bacteria to thrive. High pH levels prevent chlorine from working effectively which is a common cause of algae or cloudy pools. You can quickly determine the pH level of your pool water by conducting a test using Hy-Clor or AquaChek test strips and the Hy-Clor mobile app or water testing kiosks in all Bunnings stores. To increase pH levels add Hy-Clor PH increaser and to decrease levels add, yes you guessed it, Hy-Clor PH decreaser. Once the pH level is correct, you can add flocculent or clarifier, depending on how cloudy your pool is. See our more detailed article “Pool Flocculent Vs Pool Clarifier” to determine which is best for your circumstance.

Rainwater.
Rain can introduce organic materials and pollutants into your pool, clouding the water and disrupting the chemical balance. Heavy rain often introduces phosphates into the water and algae uses phosphates as a food source. Rain water also dilutes the pool’s chemicals. Remove any debris from the pool, clean the filter (see “How to backwash a pool filter” article), test the water chemistry (see “How to test pool water” video and article) and get the water back in balance by adding the chemicals and dose as recommended by the Hy-Clor mobile app (link to app page). Once the water is balanced, add flocculent or clarifier. See our more detailed article “Pool Flocculent Vs Pool Clarifier” to determine which is best for your circumstance.

A dirty or clogged filter is often the culprit of cloudy water, so first clean and inspect it to ensure it’s running efficiently.

To clean your sand filter, follow these steps:

1. Switch off your pool’s pump and empty the skimmer box and filter baskets.
2. Set the multiport valve to the backwash option.
3. Reactivate the pump, letting it operate for 2-3 minutes or until the sight glass is clear.
4. Switch off the pump again and adjust the multiport valve to the rinse option.
5. Switch the pump back on and allow it to run for 30-60 seconds.
6. Switch off the pump again and reset the multiport valve to the filter setting.
7. Finally, switch the pump back on.

To clean your cartridge filter, follow these steps:

1. Switch off your pool’s pump.
2. Remove the cartridge from the filter compartment.
3. Thoroughly rinse the cartridge with a hose.
4. If necessary, immerse the cartridge in a filter cleaner solution for the duration recommended on the product label.
5. Rinse the cartridge again using a hose until the water runs clear.
6. Reinsert the cartridge into the filter compartment and reactivate the pump.

Test your pool’s water using a test kit or strip to determine the chlorine levels, pH, and alkalinity levels. You will then be able to adjust the right chemicals to make sure your pool water is clean and safe.

We recommend using Hy-Clor 6-in-1 Test Strips. They measure total hardness, total chlorine, free chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, and stabiliser (cyanuric acid) in under a minute.

If your cloudy water results from chlorine imbalances, administering a pool shock treatment can effectively rectify this issue and restore your pool’s clarity.

To shock your pool using Hy-Clor Super Shock, follow these steps:

1. Dissolve the advised quantity of shock treatment in a bucket of water, stirring thoroughly until fully dissolved.
2. Pour the solution around the edges of your pool in an even manner.
3. Run your pool’s pump and filter for at least 8 hours so the shock treatment evenly distributes throughout the water.
4. Retest your pool water after 8 hours to check the chlorine and pH levels.
5. When the chlorine level has decreased to a safe range (1-3 ppm), it’s safe to go swimming.

If your water is still cloudy, move on to the next steps.

Use clarifiers to clear mildly cloudy pool water. They work by binding together fine particles into larger clumps so that the pool filter can easily pick them up.

The alumina salts in Hy-Clor Cloud-Out Clear Tablets help capture very fine particles and are fast dissolving. Drop the tablet directly into the skimmer box and watch it restore the shine and sparkle to your swimming pool.

Use flocculant if you have a severely clouded or algae-infested pool. Flocculant works by thickening tiny debris and pollutant particles and binding them together. These particles then settle to the bottom of your pool.

Hy-Clor Flocculent can be used with Super Shock to fix cloudy green pool water. Wait 24 to 48 hours after shocking your pool before introducing a flocculant. This waiting period allows the shock treatment to perform its function fully.

Once you’ve confirmed that your water chemistry is balanced to the suitable levels suggested in Step 2, you’re ready to add Hy-Clor Flocculent.

1. Pour the suggested quantity into your pool water and let it circulate for a few hours.
2. Switch off the pump and let the water remain still for 48 to 72 hours so the particles can settle at the bottom of the pool.
3. Vacuum the particles and dispose of the waste. Then, backwash or clean your filter to eliminate any leftover particles.

After accurately administering all required chemicals into your pool, activate the pump.

Do this by running your pool’s filtration system for 12-24 hours until the cloudiness is gone. This filtration process facilitates water circulation and uniform distribution of chemicals.

Afterwards, you can switch your pump back to automatic mode.

Monitor your pool water, continuing to test and tweak the chemical levels as necessary until the water achieves clarity and balance.

By following these six steps, you can quickly and effectively clear your cloudy pool water so it’s hygienic and safe for swimming again!

Cloudy pools are generally safe to use.

However, murky water in your pool might signify an imbalance in your pool chemicals, posing several risks to swimmers.

• Low visibility. Cloudiness can reduce visibility, making it difficult to see objects and other swimmers in the water, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Biological contamination. Bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms can thrive in cloudy water, which can cause skin and eye irritation and even spread illness.
• Chemical irritation. Improper chemical levels can cause skin rashes and eye and respiratory irritation.

Identifying the cause of the cloudy pool water and rectifying it before swimming is always a good idea to avoid any potential health risks.

Chlorine is essential for treating and preventing cloudy pool water. Regular shock treatments with chlorine help break down bacteria, algae, and dirt to restore crystal-clear water.

Hy-Clor Super Shock is a potent super chlorinator that quickly elevates chlorine levels and kills and manages green, black, and mustard Algae upon contact without raising stabiliser levels.

Algaecide products kill algae and help keep it from coming back. Use a gentle algaecide that will not disrupt your chemical balance.

Hy-Clor Super Algaecide is a super high strength, concentrated algaecide designed to eradicate and prevent algae in swimming pools.

If the pH levels in your pool are too high or too low, the effectiveness of chlorine or other disinfectants may be reduced, leading to cloudy water.

Hy-Clor Alkalinity Increaser effectively raises alkalinity, improves chlorine efficiency, and maintains a more consistent pH level.

Hy-Clor pH Decreaser quickly lowers pH and total alkalinity in pool water and increases chlorine efficiency. It’s safe to handle and dissolves easily.

Clarifiers suspend small particles in the water so the filtration system can remove them more easily.

Hy-Clor Cloud Out High Strength Clarifier swiftly clarifies cloudy water while enhancing filter performance. Its heavy-duty formulation is fast-acting and user-friendly; you simply add it directly to the pool water and wait for it to restore sparkling clear water quickly.

Flocculants gather small particles together to form larger clumps, allowing them to sink to the bottom of your pool, making them easier to vacuum.

Hy-Clor Super-Floc can be added directly to your pool water to treat and prevent cloudy or discoloured water so your pool remains clear and inviting.

Remember that pool chemicals can be hazardous if improperly handled.

Always wear personal protective equipment, including gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothing.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and never mix different chemicals together, as this could create dangerous reactions.

Check out our handy pool chemical guide for more information.

Having a crystal-clear pool is undoubtedly your main goal as a pool owner. So when your pool water gets cloudy, it’s essential to act fast to fix the problem and maintain good water quality to keep your family and friends safe when swimming.

Still wondering how to fix a cloudy pool?

Let the pool experts here at Hy-Clor help you pick the right products to quickly clear your cloudy pool.

Contact us via our online form, or visit your nearest Bunnings Warehouse for our full range of products.