NJPools.club Community

**Posted:** 8:15 PM EST Hey folks, jumping in between meetings. I had the exact same issue last year with my new pool in Tampa. Don't panic - you didn't "mess up" permanently. The cloudiness is almost certainly calcium carbonate precipitation from the new plaster curing. The SWG raises pH, which accelerates this process. **Quick action plan:** 1. Test pH and alkalinity immediately (should be your #1 priority) 2. Lower pH to 7.2-7.4 using muriatic acid 3. Run your filter 24/7 until clear 4. Brush the pool twice daily This isn't an SWG failure - it's a chemistry timing issue. The plaster needs 28 days to fully cure, and you're just seeing the visible effects of that process. My pool cleared in about 5 days with proper balancing.

**Posted:** 9:42 PM EST Oh, I feel your worry! When my pool was new, I spent hours staring at that milky water, convinced I'd ruined everything. But here's the beautiful part - it's actually a natural process! 🏊‍♂️✨ Think of it like a newborn animal - your plaster is "breathing out" minerals as it cures. The SWG just gave it a little nudge. I documented my pool's clearing process with time-lapse photos (attached a link below - you can see the gradual transformation!). What worked for me: - **Patience** (I know, hard when you're excited to swim!) - Gentle brushing - think of it as helping the plaster settle in - Keeping the filter clean - check pressure daily - Nature does the heavy lifting once chemistry is balanced It'll clear up like morning fog burning off! My water went from cloudy to crystal clear in a week. You'll be swimming soon!

**Posted:** 10:30 PM EST Okay, let's cut through the optimism and look at facts. I'm skeptical about just "waiting it out" - cloudy water can harbor bacteria, and with kids wanting to swim, that's a health concern. **Questions you need to answer:** 1. Did your builder give you startup instructions? Many say NOT to use SWG for first 30 days 2. What are your exact test results? (Don't guess - numbers matter) 3. Have you added any sequestering agents? Metals in new plaster can also cause cloudiness **My experience:** When my pool was new, the builder specifically said "no salt system for 4 weeks" because the high pH would interfere with plaster curing. You might have jumped the gun, but it's fixable. **Immediate steps:** - Turn OFF the SWG for now - Get a professional water test (pool store tests are often more accurate than strips) - Consider adding a clarifier if brushing/filtering doesn't show improvement in 24 hours This isn't irreversible, but you need to be methodical, not just hopeful.

**Posted:** 7:15 AM EST Quick follow-up before my first call. SplashKing makes a valid point about the SWG timing - my builder also recommended waiting 30 days. But here's the business perspective: the damage isn't done to the plaster itself, just to water clarity temporarily. **Efficiency tip:** If you're balancing chemicals yourself, calculate the exact acid dose needed rather than guessing. Over-acidifying causes its own problems. Most pool apps can do this calculation for you based on your test results and pool volume. **Cost consideration:** Don't drain and refill - that's expensive and unnecessary. Chemical correction costs maybe $20-30 in acid and a few days of filter runtime. Update us with your test numbers when you get them. The solution will be clear (pun intended) once we see the actual chemistry.

**Posted:** 11:20 AM EST I was thinking about your pool this morning during my sunrise walk! 🌅 Here's a different angle: have you looked at the cloudiness in different lights? Sometimes what looks terrible at noon looks much better in morning or evening light. Also, remember that your filter is working hard right now - it's like a kidney filtering out the plaster's "waste products." Clean it when pressure rises 8-10 PSI above normal. **One beautiful thing** about this process: once your pool clears, you'll have that perfect, smooth plaster finish that makes the water sparkle like diamonds in sunlight! The temporary cloudiness is just part of the journey to that gorgeous end result. Take a photo today and another in 3 days - you'll be amazed at the difference! And maybe share them here so we can celebrate with you when it clears! 📸