PROBLEM	POSSIBLE CAUSES	SUGGESTED SOLUTION
Cloudy Water	Early algae growth High pH High total alkalinity Poor filtration	Follow green/brown algae solution Lower pH to ideal range of 7.2-7.6 with pH minus or soda ash Lower total alkalinity with pH minus or muratic acid Check filter operation
Discolored Water	Green, Hazy - Algae Green, clear - Copper Black Purple - Manganese Red Brown - Iron	Follow green/brown algae solution Adjust pH to 7.2-7.4 shock treat with shock treatment. Run filter continuously until water is clear (24-48 hrs)
Algae	Green Brown - Insufficient chlorine residual Black - Insufficient chlorine residual Yellow - Insufficient chlorine residual	Adjust pH to 7.2-7.4 shock treat with shock treatment. Brush walls using a nylon/steel brush (concrete). Run filter for 24 hrs or until water clears, vacuum Solution for green/brown algae. In addition for white plaster pools only use an algaecide for black algae Solution for yellow algae use an algaecide for yellow algae
Eye & Skin Irritation	Improper pH Chloramines (see chlorine odor)	Adjust pH to 7.2-7.6 using pH minus or pH plus
Chlorine Odor	Insufficient chlorine. The cause is not too much chlorine, but not enough free avaliable chlorine	Adjust pH to 7.2-7.6 shock treat with shock treatment Repeat if necessary
Scale Formation	High pH High total alkalinity High calcium hardness	Lower pH to 7.2-7.6 range with pH minus or soda ash Lower total alkalinity with pH minus or muratic acid
Corrosion of Metal Parts	Low pH Low total alkalinity Low calcium hardness	Adjust pH to 7.2-7.6 range Raise total alkalinity Raise calcium hardness to minimum of 200 ppm using calcium chloride
No Chlorine (Too Much Chlorine) Reading	Chlorine level is to high and is bleaching the test kit reagents	Dilute the sample with fresh water and retest. Multiply the test kit reading by the amount the sample has been diluted. If the pool is not stabilized, sunlight on the pool should lower the chlorine level quickly. If it is stabilized, it will take longer to lower the chlorine level. Do not enter the pool until the chlorine residual is less than 3 ppm
Scum Ring	Body oils and dirt accumulation	Remove with a tile & vinyl cleaner
Foaming	Build-up of body oils, cosmetics or other contaminants Use of a "quat" algaecide	Use a defoamer. Read and follow directions