The quick answer
Cloudy water is a symptom, not one diagnosis. Chemistry, filtration, circulation, debris and early algae growth should be checked before choosing treatment.
Safety comes first
Do not swim when the bottom is not clearly visible. Poor visibility can hide a person in distress and often indicates that the water needs immediate attention.
Test the water
Check sanitizer, pH, alkalinity and stabilizer with a reliable method. Low effective sanitizer or an out-of-range pH can contribute to cloudiness.
Check flow and filtration
Confirm water level, clean baskets, inspect return flow and compare filter pressure with the clean baseline. A dirty or damaged filter can leave fine material suspended.
Avoid random additions
Clarifier, algaecide and other products are not interchangeable. Adding a product without identifying the cause can complicate balance or overload the filter.
Preventing cloudiness
Weekly brushing, debris removal, testing and early response to pressure changes help maintain clarity. Persistent problems may need separate recovery work.