Investing in a saltwater pool is a great alternative to managing a traditional saltwater pool. But when you’re about to dive in and see the water is murky or clouded, you need to know how to fix cloudy pool water!
If your pool sees a high volume of swimmers, frequent use, or you really just want to dive in, you might be wondering if you can swim in cloudy pool water. This really depends on what causes the cloudy pool water. For example, it’s sometimes okay to swim in cloudy water, but it may be uncomfortable (such as an imbalance of chlorine, which could cause your eyes and skin to itch). In other instances, it could be a build up of harmful bacteria that can lead to stomach illnesses.
We recommend airing on the side of caution and waiting until your pool is crystal clear before diving in.
Most Common Reasons for Cloudy Water In Saltwater Pools
There are several reasons why your saltwater pool could be cloudy. Below, we’ll explore the most common reasons and touch on a few solutions to remedy that murky water!
pH Level Imbalances
Proper pH levels for saltwater pools should be between 7.2 and 7.6. The optimal level we recommend is 7.4. When the pH is imbalanced, this impacts the efficacy of the chlorine sanitizer in your pool. If your chlorine isn’t working, that can cause cloudiness in your water and even result in algae growth.
To remedy this issue, you need to adjust your pH levels. Buy pH test kits and test your pool a minimum of once a week (more often if your pool sees frequent usage). You can add muriatic acid to decrease your pH level or add soda ash to increase it.
Filtration Issues
Sometimes, large debris can gather and get caught in your pool’s filtration system. This can lead to clogs. Additionally, if you haven’t cleaned or replaced your filter in a while, your filter can get dirty. When your filter isn’t working, this can cause particles and debris to float in your pool, resulting in cloudy water.
This also happens if your filter is damaged, if the diatomaceous earth (DE) filters have damaged or broken grids, or if your cartridge filter pleats are torn.
To fix this, start by cleaning your cartridge filters or backwash your DE filters. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, you can replace your cartridges or dismantle and inspect your DE filters to find where the issue is.
Algae Growth
Algae growth is an extremely common cause of cloudy pool water. A great way to avoid algae growth is by brushing and vacuuming your pool regularly, as this will remove any growth as it starts. However, if you’re past the point of prevention and already have an algae problem, we recommend identifying the type of algae (indicated by its color) and using the appropriate algaecide for the type you have.
Keep in mind not all algaecides will be effective on all types of algae. While shocking your pool repeatedly can help rid green algae, pink and black algae are much more resilient and require a lot of elbow-grease and harsher chemicals.
Chemical Imbalances
Calcium and chlorine levels can hugely impact your pool water’s clarity. Excess calcium in your water can be remedied easily by using a calcium reducer or by draining and refilling your pool.
Chlorine can be a little more tricky. If you’re experiencing cloudy pool water, it’s a sign your chlorine levels are too low. Low levels of chlorine can be fixed by shocking your pool or adding more chlorine tablets. This can tie in back to the calcium issue, as the low free chlorine levels can be caused by a clog in the saltwater chlorinator cell.
Over time, calcium deposits can build up on this cell. As it worsens, the cell produces less chlorine and this results in a buildup of contaminants in your pool, making it cloudy. To fix this, clean off your chlorinator cell with an over-the-counter cleaner or muriatic acid, or you can use natural products that are acidic, like vinegar.
Insufficient Saltwater Generator Runtime
Just like the issue above, if you don’t run your saltwater generator frequently enough or on too low of a level, it can result in buildup. We recommend you experiment by increasing the power level of the salt cell by a relatively lower percentage (between five and ten). Never go above 80% as this can burn out the cell more quickly. You can also test run your salt cell for an extra hour at a time until your water begins to clear up.
In a Nutshell
Saltwater pools can get cloudy the same way traditional chlorine pools do. There are multiple reasons for this, but with a little diligence and research, your pool will be back to its crystal-clear condition.
For more expert tips and tricks on pool maintenance and beyond, Pool Care Guy has you covered!