Cloudy water can be easily fixed by using a pool clarifier. Whether you want one quart or plan to stock up, PoolSupplies.com has you covered.
If you’d like more information on clarifiers, check out our Clarifiers Buyer’s Guide and FAQ.
A pool clarifier works by gathering tiny particles that are suspended in your water, like dirt, algae, and oils, and clumping them together into larger particles that your filter can collect. The clarifier doesn’t destroy the particles. Instead, it works in conjunction with your pool’s filter to remove them from the water.
You’ll want to follow the instructions for the clarifier you get. It will give you a specific dosage based on your pool’s water capacity, in gallons. If you don’t already know your pool’s capacity, you can use our blog - How to Calculate Gallons in a Pool (Without Overthinking It).
First, you should skim, brush, and vacuum your pool to remove any large debris. Then, test your water with test strips or a liquid test kit. Your pH should be between 7.4 and 7.6, and your alkalinity levels should be between 100 and 150 ppm.
If you have algae or high combined chlorine levels, you need to shock the water before you add a clarifier. Check out our blog, The Beginner's Guide to Shocking Your Swimming Pool.
Keep your filter running over the next several days to help clear up the cloudy water from shocking your pool. Increase your pool circulation to churn up the water from the bottom of your pool, and finally, you’re ready to add the clarifier.
You should let the shock in your pool dissolve for at least eight hours and then run your filter continuously for several days until the water is no longer cloudy.
At PoolSupplies.com, we offer a flocculant or pool floc as an alternative option. Like a clarifier, pool floc operates by aggregating smaller particles and causing them to form larger ones; however, these larger particles do not get filtered out but sink to the bottom and require manual vacuuming. Flocculants tend to work more quickly but necessitate a more hands-on approach. It is worth noting that flocculants cannot be used with cartridge filters unless the filter is bypassed during the vacuuming process. On the other hand, floc is compatible with sand filters and DE filters. Although floc requires more effort than a clarifier and results in some water loss due to vacuuming, it can clear up cloudy water within one to two days. To prevent stirring up the particles, it is vital to vacuum slowly, and multiple vacuuming sessions should be conducted to ensure all particles are effectively removed.
