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SWIMMING POOLS
FOAM / SCUM PROBLEMS
Cloudy, Filmy Pool Water (6/23/98)
Preventing Scum Buildup In Pool (6/22/98)
Foam In The Pool (6/11/98)
Cloudy, Filmy Pool Water (6/23/98)
Q:
When we opened our pool this year the water was clear, but after running the filter and adding more water it is now cloudy/milky. I was just in the pool and when I got out and looked at my rings and hands, my rings had a film on them and the liner has a dark water line.
Right now my MAIN CONCERN is to get the water straightened out. The pool and water is 3 years old, the filter is a sand-hayward and the chemicals and alkalinity test normal, but this "feeling" of the water just is not right. Clarifiers don't work and when we sweep the pool, you can see some stuff come through the outtake and back into the pool (yes, we have the settings on filter while sweeping).
B.H. - Hughesville, PA
A:
Could the pool have been vandalized?
Your should not seen material coming back in through the return lines. Make sure that the filter is properly hooked up.
Test for FREE CHLORINE. If low, keep adding shock, every few hours, until you get a FREE CHLORINE reading of at least 3 PPM that lasts overnight. That should take care of any algae problem. Make sure that the pool water chemistry: pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness are optimized. Filter continuously until clear.
I hope that I have been helpful.
Sincerely,
Alan
Preventing Scum Buildup In Pool (6/22/98)
Q:
I am interested in knowing what I can do to minimize the effects of, or prevent buildup of, oil slicks (sunscreen, etc) and the resultant tidemark on the wall. (the pool is 50m X 25m, painted aluminum). Is there any option other than to scrub wall daily? Can I add anything to the water to minimize this?
D.L.
A:
There are cosmetic products that would pose less of a problem, but I doubt that you could exercise control over the product choice. Adding a cleaner to the water could produce cloudy water by emulsifying some of the residue.
The best bet could be the use of enzyme products such as: SUN Natural Enzyme Treatment This type of product will help break down organic residue and could help lessen or eliminate the problem. Much depends on the actual quantities of residue.
I hope that I have been of assistance.
Sincerely,
Alan
Foam In The Pool (6/11/98)
Q:
I can't get rid of the foam or lather that builds up when I run the filter. I followed the directions for the opening. My pool looks like a bubble bath.
E.C. - Ozone Park, NY
A:
If you can rule out vandalism, the most likely cause of the foaming is an air leak in the return line. Check all the fitting and lines between the pump and the return nozzles.
In addition to the air leak, it is likely that certain algaecides were added that have a tendency to foam, when agitated. Such algaecides usually contain dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride or similar sounding materials.
You could try adding a spa water defoamer to help deal with the problem. Such as product is Spa Clear Foam Buster.
There are algaecides that do not foam. Such products include: SUN Non-Foaming Copper Algaecide, SUN Algaecide 60.
I hope this information proves helpful.
Sincerely,
Alan |
