Chlorine Generator causing cloudy pool

[Denniswiseman]

It is normal for an SWG to produce bubbles when working. I don't have an SWG so I can't speak from experience
Try collecting a sample and let it stand and you will see it clear up
You may want to check your numbers as this can be a problem as they need about 3000ppm of salt to work correctly

[pool guy]

pool guy here. low and high calcium levels can cause cloudiness from generator, 200 being low and 400 being high, 300 is the ideal mark to hit. second cause can be dissolved metals in the water, commonly found in well water. if thats how you fill your pool thats a likely culprit. treat your pool with a sequestering agent and within 3-4 days metals will be gone and cloudiness should stop

[marvinwalters]

Use baking soda, it should help.

[Manpreet]

Hey Mike,

Did you find the solution? My pool is doing the exact sane thing as you have described.

[Teapot]

Please post full water test results.

[swim_spa]

Wow, I actually have the same exact problem too...our pool is about 3 years old and the water turns a cloudy white only when the chlorine generator is on. The water clears within minutes of the chlorine generator turning off. Someone mentioned checking the water content for metals and calcium...I'm going to give that a try and see what turns up. Otherwise, we've tried everything our pool professionals have recommended. Anyone actually find a solutions for this yet?

[Denniswiseman]

As I previously stated it's quiet normal for the chlorine gas to produce bubbles when running. The fact that it clears when the SWCG isn't working confirms it
Try running at a lower percentage and see if that helps

[CarThomas317]

Did anyone find a solution to the problem? I am having the same problem. I’ve had an intex saltwater chlorinator for 3 years and always had crystal clear water. Like always, I shocked the water and ran the filter for two days. Today I took the cover off, filter running, no problem. As soon as I turned the chlorinator on the return jet became cloudy and affected my water clarity immediately. Took the chlorinator apart and cleaned the cell. Still cloudy. I don’t typically use cyanuric acid and have never had a problem maintaining chlorine level or water clarity, so CA level is low. pH, akalainity, chlorine levels, and salinity all good. Hardness is low but I have a vinyl liner and my understanding is that hardness range is relevant for concrete pools and otherwise only relevant if it is HIGH because it will cause scale on hardware. My hardness has always run low and I’ve always had crystal clear water. Do I have to replace my chlorinator? I’d love to know why this is happening. Unlike the others, the cloudiness does not immediately clear, it is not bubbles. I’ve never experienced the bubbles causing cloudiness phenomenon.

[Teapot]

The bubbles mentioned are a very fine fog usually, which takes time to clear. Posting water test results lets us look at where your water is at. You say you are not using CYA, that will mean the chlorinator working harder to maintain the chlorine level=possible more fine bubbles and definitely a shortening of the cells life. Salt not only provides the source for the chlorine (a gas) but also has a great deal to do with the conductivity of the water, less salt or too much salt can affect this.
Please come back with the test results (not from dip strips) as dip strips are practically useless.

[Vinsan]

I had the same problem as just described. This is the 4th year and never have had cloudy water. Water testing shows everything is fine. So the last time I acid cleaned the T 15 cell was Aug 2017. Last year I cleaned it (twice) only using a hose so after running the pool 6 days this year and getting cloudy water I decided to backwash again and acid clean the cell last Saturday.
On Sunday the cloudiness was better, on Monday better still , yesterday no cloudiness and today after 2.5 hours it is still perfect.
Use a 4:1 ratio of water to Muraitic acid. For a t15 cell 8 oz of acid added to 32 oz of water is perfect. By a cell stand, mix in a bucket and pour in cell . Soak 5-10 minutes.
Rinse and reset timer by pressing Diagnostic Button for 3 sec.

[Teapot]

Did you read the part where they said they had already cleaned the cell?

[Vinsan]

Yes I read that he "cleaned the cell" but how ?
Did he use acid or just water via a hose?

[mgzych]

Thanks, Vinsan. Glad to see some anecdotal feedback on what has worked. I have the same problem and will try the cell cleaning with the muriatic acid. If I can mimic your results, I’ll share.

Mark

[mgzych]

Sad to say that cleaning the cell didn’t help with my pool having this same problem. Used a muriatic acid solution to soak cell internals for 15 minutes. Rinsed and reinstalled...no change.

Anyone else?

[Teapot]

Is 15 minutes enough to dissolve a year or so of calcium?