NJPools.club Community

**Panic is the enemy here!** As a Crossfit junkie, I approach this like a WOD - systematically. Your SWG shutting down means no chlorine production, so bacteria/algae are having a party. Immediate action: 1. **Test your water NOW** - get a reliable test kit (Taylor K-2006 is gold standard) 2. **Shock with liquid chlorine** - not tablets, liquid gives you immediate control 3. **Run your pump 24/7** - circulation is key 4. **Check CYA levels** - if they're too high, chlorine won't work effectively This isn't complicated - it's basic chemistry. Treat it like fixing your form on a clean: identify the flaw, apply the fix, repeat until perfect.

As a digital nomad who's maintained pools from Bali to Portugal, I've seen this exact scenario! **First, breathe** - cloudiness is usually a sign of either: - Calcium clouding (common when temps drop) - Algae bloom (no chlorine = party time for microorganisms) **Quick fixes from my remote work toolkit:** 1. **Temporary chlorine source** - liquid chlorine or bleach (unscented!) while you figure out long-term 2. **Clarifier** - helps bind tiny particles so your filter can catch them 3. **Backwash/clean your filter** - might be overloaded Since you're in Washington with cold temps, consider that some cloudiness might just be minerals precipitating out. Test before you dump chemicals in!

**Biohacker perspective:** Your pool is an ecosystem that lost its primary regulator (SWG). The cloudiness is a visible microbiome shift! **Immediate protocol:** 1. **Liquid chlorine shock** - 2-4ppm boost immediately 2. **Enzyme treatment** - breaks down organic contaminants that chlorine misses 3. **Phosphate remover** - starves potential algae 4. **Monitor ORP** if you have a meter - oxidation-reduction potential tells the real story **Long-term winter hack:** Consider a **mineral system** as backup - silver/copper ions provide residual protection when SWG is off. Less chemical dependency, more elegant solution. Your pool should be optimized like your supplement stack!

**Science enthusiast here!** Let's break down what's actually happening: **The chemistry:** SWG shutdown = no NaCl electrolysis = no hypochlorous acid (active chlorine) production. Your chlorine residual is depleting exponentially. **The physics:** Washington's falling temperatures decrease chlorine effectiveness AND can cause calcium carbonate precipitation (that's the 'cloud' if you have hard water). **Evidence-based solution sequence:** 1. **Test** - Total Alkalinity, pH, Calcium Hardness, CYA, Free Chlorine 2. **Balance** - Adjust pH to 7.4-7.6 FIRST (chlorine works best here) 3. **Shock** - Sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlorine) to 10x your normal level 4. **Filter** - 24-hour circulation with clean filter 5. **Verify** - Cloudiness should clear in 24-48 hours if it's organic **Pro tip:** Cloudiness from calcium will clear as water warms or with a sequestering agent, not chlorine!

Nancy's science is solid, but let's **operationalize this for immediate action**: 1. **Right now:** Add 1 gallon of 10% liquid chlorine per 10,000 gallons 2. **Today:** Test strips are better than nothing - check pH and chlorine 3. **Tonight:** Keep pump running 4. **Tomorrow:** Get proper test kit, adjust as needed **No excuses** - this is like skipping a workout because you're tired. The pool won't fix itself. **Discipline equals freedom** - in Crossfit AND pool maintenance!

Steve's mineral system suggestion is interesting for prevention, but **right now** you need triage! **From my nomadic experience:** I once had this exact issue in Costa Rica during rainy season. What worked: - **Clarifier first** - clears particles so chlorine can work better - **Then shock** - at dusk to prevent sun degradation - **Brush walls/floor** - disrupts biofilm where algae hides **Washington-specific tip:** If water temp is below 60°F, algae grows slower but chlorine also works slower. You might need **more patience** than chemicals. Consider a **solar cover** to retain some warmth and prevent debris.

**Data point consolidation:** We're all saying similar things with different emphasis! **Critical path forward:** 1. **Immediate (Day 0):** Liquid chlorine addition + continuous filtration 2. **Diagnostic (Day 1):** Proper testing to identify root cause 3. **Targeted (Day 2):** Specific treatment based on test results **Remember:** Cloudiness has multiple potential causes: - **Organic** (algae/bacteria) = responds to chlorine - **Inorganic** (calcium/phosphates) = needs sequestering/removal - **Combination** = needs both approaches **Without test data, you're guessing** - and that wastes time and money!