Please note that this chart is to be used only as a guide since pool water
problems are often the result of several factors.
| PROBLEM | POSSIBLE CAUSE | SOLUTION |
| CLOUDY WATER | High pH | Use pH REDUCER to lower pH to 7.2 – 7.6. |
| Dirty Filter | Check filtration system. Backwash if needed. Use FILTER CLEAN (formerly called Cartridge Cleaner) regularly. Use SUPER SHIMMER to improve filter efficiency and add sparkle to the water. | |
| Low Free Chlorine | Shock with BLAST OUT, CHLOR-BURST™, or BLITZ™ to bring free chlorine level to ideal range of 1 – 3 ppm. | |
| High Total Alkalinity | Use pH REDUCER to reduce total alkalinity to 80 – 150 ppm. | |
| GREEN WATER | Green Algae (hazy water) | Use pH REDUCER or pH INCREASER to adjust pH to ideal range of 7.2 – 7.6. Shock with BLAST OUT, CHLOR-BURST™, or BLITZ™. Wait 6 – 12 hours and treat pool with HALT™ 50 Algaecide weekly to prevent reoccurrences. |
| Copper in fill water (clear with green tint) | Use SUPER RUST & SCALE as directed. Wait overnight.Test and adjust chlorine and pH levels as needed. | |
| REDDISH BROWN WATER | Dissolved iron or manganese in water | Use pH INCREASER or pH REDUCER to adjust pH to 7.2 – 7.6. Use SUPER RUST & SCALE as directed. Run filter until clear. |
| EYE AND SKIN IRRITATION | Combined chlorine (chloramines) level too high | Shock with BLAST OUT, CHLOR-BURST™, or BLITZ™. Circulate overnight.Test and adjust free chlorine residual to ideal range of 1-3 ppm.(May require another shock treatment.) |
| pH level too high or too low | Use pH REDUCER or pH INCREASER adjust pH level to 7.2 – 7.6. | |
| CHLORINE ODOR | Combined chlorine (chloramines) level too high | Shock with BLAST OUT, CHLOR-BURST™, or BLITZ™. Circulate overnight.Test and adjust free chlorine residual to ideal range of 1-3 ppm. (May require another shock treatment.) |
| CALCIUM SCALE FORMATION | pH too high | Use pH REDUCER to bring pH level to 7.2 – 7.6. |
| Total alkalinity too high | Use pH REDUCER to bring total alkalinity to 80 – 150 ppm. | |
| Calcium content too high | Use SUPER RUST & SCALE as directed. | |
| CORROSION OF METAL PARTS | pH too low | Add pH INCREASER to bring pH to 7.2 – 7.6. |
| Total alkalinity to low | Add ALKALINITY INCREASER to raise total alkalinity to 80 – 150 ppm. | |
| HIGH CHLORINE CONSUMPTION | High temperatures and heavy chlorine throughout the season | Use STABILIZER at the start of each season. Always use stabilized Blue Wave chlorine, (i.e.: 3″ SANITIZING TABLETS). |
| UGLY “RING” AT THE WATERLINE | Grease and oil from swimmers | Clean walls and surfaces regularly using TILE & VINYL CLEANER. |
