Will high pH make my pool cloudy?

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Remember that high alkalinity, high pH, and high calcium hardness can cause cloudy water. If there is a problem with the chlorine, pH or other chemical levels in your pool, adjusting those levels can be enough to correct the cloudiness.



Similarly, it is asked, does high pH cause cloudy pool water?

The pH Is Too High - When the pH in your pool water exceeds 7.8, the chlorine reacts less quickly and is less efficient at killing off algae, often causing cloudy water. The Total Alkalinity (TA) Is Too High - If the total alkalinity of your pool water is tested at higher than 200 ppm, cloudy water can result.

Additionally, can too much chlorine cause cloudy water? An excessive amount of pool chemicals can cause your water to be cloudy. That includes: high pH, high alkalinity, high chlorine or other sanitizers, and high calcium hardness.

Hereof, how long should it take to clear a cloudy pool?

In most cases, a cloudy pool after shocking is only temporary and should clear up within 24 hours. Keep filtering your pool, add a little clarifier to help, and your pool should be clear in no time. If after 24 hours your pool is not clear, then you may need to look a little deeper for the solution.

Will baking soda clear up a cloudy pool?

NO! Baking soda is a base and will hugely increase the level of pH, which actually causes the water to turn cloudy. Some people may suggest using baking soda as a quick fix if alkalinity is high, but it is not a reliable pool chemical. Chlorine should be the only substance used to clear a cloudy pool.

38 Related Question Answers Found

Can you over shock a pool?

Start off by adding 3 or 4 gallons, and if you see no results overnight, add 3 or 4 more gallons the next day. Continue this process until you notice the water changing color to either cloudy white, light green or clear. YOU CANNOT OVER SHOCK A POOL ! The more you add, the quicker it will clear !

Can you swim in a cloudy pool after shocking?

Technically, if your free chlorine levels are holding up, swimming UP TO your shock level, depending on your CYA, is safe. Keep in mind, no one should swim in a cloudy pool, even if your free chlorine levels are holding.

Why is my pool cloudy after shocking it?

5 Reasons Why your Pool is Cloudy after Shock
Alkalinity is closely related to pH, and when it's too high, it can prevent you from lowering your pH easily, and it can easily throw off bicarbonates, which make the pool cloudy. Use pH Decreaser to reduce Total Alkalinity if the level is over 100 ppm.

Will chlorine tablets clear a cloudy pool?

To get rid of all the gross and dangerous crud in your cloudy pool water, shock your pool. This mega-dose of chlorine (or non-chlorine shock. for pools that use other sanitizers) will eliminate cloudiness caused by bacteria, organic contaminants, and algae.

Can you use vinegar to lower pH in pool?


Lower the pH of the water by measuring out four cups of vinegar and pouring it directly into the waters. You can use either white household vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

How do I make my pool water crystal clear?

Administer Shock and Algaecide Weekly
Even if you maintain proper chlorine and pH levels in your pool, the water may need a little boost to keep it clear and sparkling. Once a week, you should shock or super-chlorinate your pool to kill any lingering bacteria or algae that may be growing.

How long does pool clarifier work?

Pool Clarifier Drawbacks
It seems like a magical pool chemical, but just like anything, it does have its downside. It works slowly. It may be two or three days before your pool is completely clear, depending on the severity of the cloudiness.

Will bleach clear a cloudy pool?

The algae and bacteria start growing, and in a few weeks, you'll have a cloudy pool. Chlorine bleach, as discussed above, is not bound to a stabilizer, so when you add chlorine bleach to the pool, it will go right to work killing microbes and sanitizing.

Can you add too much flocculant?

Yee-haw!!" If you add too much flocculant to a body of water, the floc, which is typically cheap aluminum sulfate, will actually agglomerate not with the particles you are trying to remove but the floc itself.

Can you shock your pool during the day?


What Is the Best Time of Day to Shock a Swimming Pool? Shock your pool late in the evening or at night, when the sun is down, to make sure free chlorine will stay in your water longer. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from direct sunlight greatly reduces free chlorine levels, so shocking during the day will not be very effective.

How often should I shock my pool?

How Often Should I Shock My Pool?
  1. START UP: Shock your pool when you open it for the season to kill algae that has developed in the Spring.
  2. AFTER A PARTY OR HEAVY USE:
  3. AFTER EXTENDED PERIODS OF HOT, SUNNY WEATHER.
  4. AFTER HEAVY RAIN:
  5. SMELL OF CHLORINE OR IRRITATED EYES:
  6. POOL CLOSING:

Can phosphates cause cloudy pool water?

However, many phosphate salts are insoluble and form very fine precipitates. If the metals that combine with the phosphate are calcium or magnesium, the precipitate will be white, and if it is finely dispersed, the water will take on a cloudy appearance.

Will baking soda lower chlorine level in pool?

'Will baking soda lower the level of chlorine in a pool ? ' No. It will raise the pH slightly and raise the total alkalinity.

How does pool clarifier work?

Pool ClarifiersHow do they Work? Pool clarifiers are polymers that act as coagulants on suspended particles in the water. Specifically, clarifiers impart cations or positively charged ions to the pool, which are attracted to negatively charged suspended particles.

Can you swim in a cloudy blue pool?


Double check the pH and alkalinity, and be sure the chlorine level is below 5 ppm. Even if the water is not completely clear, but more of a cloudy blue-ish color, you could allow limited swimming. If the water is so cloudy that you cannot see the pool bottom however, that poses several safety risks for swimmers.

Will adding chlorine clear cloudy water?

You need chlorine in your pool to fight off nasty bacteria and other microorganisms, but the amount you use shouldn't be overlooked. The “sweet spot” is between 1 and 3 ppm (parts per million). This keeps your water clean but also prevents it from becoming cloudy — assuming everything else is balanced.

Why is my pool cloudy after adding chlorine?

If the chlorine level in the water is too high, it's also possible for the water to take on a murky or opaque appearance. As the levels drop, due to swimmers using the pool or the sun's rays burning it off, the cloudiness should clear up.