Cloudy water? Let’s sort it.
Start with what you see. Find the cause, then take the next useful step.
Can’t clearly see the bottom? Keep everyone out of the water. Check swimming safety ↗
What do you see?
These are starting points, not a diagnosis.
Not sure? See the differences ↓Something else? Pump will not start ↗Stains or metals ↗
Empty baskets and verify flow
Start by proving the pool can actually move and filter water.
Raise chlorine to a short recovery target
Use measured chlorine after you know the current test result and CYA context.
Brush and vacuum what the filter cannot catch
Move debris and early film into the filter path, and remove settled material directly when you can.
Reassess after 24 hours before escalating
Give filtration, brushing, and measured chlorine time before changing the diagnosis.
Step 5: Evaluate and decide
Clear? Great, return to normal. Improving? Repeat for another 24 hours. Worse or unchanged? Escalate to SLAM.
Questions? (4)
How do I know if it is algae or just haze?
Haze is gray or white and looks uniform. Green, yellow, or slimy growth on walls is algae. Algae needs SLAM, not just a chlorine bump.
Can I swim during this process?
Only if FC remains in a safe range for your pool and pH is in line. Recovery works best when circulation is uninterrupted, so plan around that.
Should I add clarifier right away?
Usually no. Give measured chlorine and proper filtration time to work before layering on products that can complicate the diagnosis.
What if the water is still cloudy after 48 hours?
Treat that as a sign the problem is bigger than a light haze event. Escalate to SLAM or a broader troubleshooting path.