| Cloudy water |
Excessive organic contaminants or lack of sanitizer |
Shock treat with non-chlorine shock and adjust sanitizer level |
| Dissolved chemical solids |
Use clarifier to help remove small particles |
| pH balance or total alkalinity is incorrect |
Test total alkalinity and pH. Correct with pH increaser or pH decreaser. |
| Calcium too high (hard water) |
Use a sequestering agent weekly. Replace some water with softer water. |
| Dirty filter |
Clean filter with filter cartridge cleaner. |
| Chalky, white scale deposits |
Mineral deposits in water |
Use a sequestering agent. Check water balance and adjust as necessary. |
| Clear green water |
High iron or copper content |
Use a sequestering agent |
| Cloudy green water |
Low alkalinity level |
Use pH increaser |
| low sanitizer level |
Test sanitizer level, shock with non-chlorine shock |
| Brown water |
High iron or manganese level |
Use a sequestering agent |
| Chlorine odor |
Chloramines (combined chlorine level) is high. |
Shock with non-chlorine shock |
| Eye/skin irritation |
Organic contaminants, chloramines, or pH out of balance |
Shock with non-chlorine shock. Test and adjust pH level. |
| Foaming |
High concentration of chemicals due to evaporation and build-up of body oils, cosmetics and other contaminants |
Use foam reducer. Shock treat with non-chlorine shock. Use enzyme reducer weekly as part of regular maintenance |
| Pitting of metal fixtures |
pH too low |
Test and adjust pH and total alkalinity by adding pH up. |
| Total alkalinity too low |
