Intex sand filter issue

[mc1989]

Hi all,
I've never had a pool before so this is a huge learning curve. We moved into a home with an existing Intex pool and sand filter without skimmer basket. The pool return spout has very little to non existent pressure, despite backwashing. Recirculation mode has strong pressure. The pressure gauge was broken off by the previous owners so I have no values from that. Does this indicate I need to replace the sand? I will also say the previous owners did not take care of the pool at all, and it looked like a swamp when we moved in last fall. It was (and still is) full of leaves which I've been trying my best to rake out.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! Yes, you will want to replace that gauge. Lack of return water flow at the jet could mean you have algae. Normally backwashing helps for a few minutes. But since you aren't seeing any improvement after a backwash, and you don't know the history of the sand or what the previous owners may have added to it, you may be better off changing the sand. Be sure to visit our Pool Care Basics page for lots of great info and let us know what other questions you night have.

 

[mc1989]

Welcome to TFP! Yes, you will want to replace that gauge. Lack of return water flow at the jet could mean you have algae. Normally backwashing helps for a few minutes. But since you aren't seeing any improvement after a backwash, and you don't know the history of the sand or what the previous owners may have added to it, you may be better off changing the sand. Be sure to visit our Pool Care Basics page for lots of great info and let us know what other questions you night have.

Thank you for this insight! Where the gauge was formally looks pretty obliterated. Is it worth it to replace the whole pump in the instance that I can't replace the gauge? Also, is it normal to have a drastic difference in return water pressure between the recirculate and filter modes?

I know that my pool is full of algae. Mistakenly we took our pool water to a local shop and was given some bad advice (just dump all these chemicals in and it will clear). I'm just now getting the pH and alkalinity fixed after doing my own research. Is it possible that my little pump is just having a hard time keeping up with the algae and this is the issue?

 

[clambert1273]

Thank you for this insight! Where the gauge was formally looks pretty obliterated. Is it worth it to replace the whole pump in the instance that I can't replace the gauge? Also, is it normal to have a drastic difference in return water pressure between the recirculate and filter modes?

I know that my pool is full of algae. Mistakenly we took our pool water to a local shop and was given some bad advice (just dump all these chemicals in and it will clear). I'm just now getting the pH and alkalinity fixed after doing my own research. Is it possible that my little pump is just having a hard time keeping up with the algae and this is the issue?

If it is intex system then more than likely too small post some pics of pool & equipment

Oh & you mentioned it so @PoolStored

 

[Mdragger88]

Upgrading the filter/pump on those pools is never a bad idea because the ones that come with them originally are always undersized. A functioning filter is important.
What size is this pool? It may be faster & less expensive to drain, scrub & start over than to do the
SLAM Process which is what is needed to eliminate the algae. With an undersized filter it may be quite a long slam.

 

[mc1989]

Attached are some photos of my pool and pump. I'm honestly unsure about the size of the pool. It's not very large I would guess it's one of their smaller sizes.

 

[mc1989]

This is a photo of my pool if size can be judged based off it.

 

[clambert1273]

Attached are some photos of my pool and pump. I'm honestly unsure about the size of the pool. It's not very large I would guess it's one of their smaller sizes.

Looks like my old one so I'm going to say it is worth it replace the pump/filter combo with a real pump & filter. There are lots of threads in the above pool section that talk about how to plumb & upgrade an Intex

 

[Mdragger88]

Measure the diameter of the pool - directly in the middle from one side to the other then measure the actual depth of the water.

The volume calculator is at the bottom of this page

PoolMath

Discover the calculator behind the perfect pool, PoolMath. Dealing with pools has allowed TFP to become the original authors of the best calculator on the net.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Mdragger88]

That pool only comes in 3 sizes

 

[Mdragger88]

Also, please understand that no filter will rid your pool of algae nor prevent it, that’s a result of inadequate free chlorine - once algae occurs you need to do the
SLAM Process to eradicate it.
Its a two fold concurrent situation (Shock Level And Maintain with the correct fc for your cya to kill the algae & continuously filter out the dead stuff)
That pump/filter is quite small & will definitely overwhelm easily / take a long time filtering out the dead algae. It only holds around 26# of sand so changing that out is a simple & cheap solution if you’re not ready to upgrade.
To do the
SLAM Process & follow the tfp recommendations you need a proper test kit as the 1st step. Taylor k2006c or tf100/pro
FC/CYA Levels

 

[mc1989]

Also, please understand that no filter will rid your pool of algae nor prevent it, that’s a result of inadequate free chlorine - once algae occurs you need to do the
SLAM Process to eradicate it.
Its a two fold concurrent situation (Shock Level And Maintain with the correct fc for your cya to kill the algae & continuously filter out the dead stuff)
That pump/filter is quite small & will definitely overwhelm easily / take a long time filtering out the dead algae. It only holds around 26# of sand so changing that out is a simple & cheap solution if you’re not ready to upgrade.
To do the
SLAM Process & follow the tfp recommendations you need a proper test kit as the 1st step. Taylor k2006c or tf100/pro
FC/CYA Levels

Thank you for this detailed advice. I'm really not looking to invest a whole lot (more) money into this thing.. tbh I wanted it gone when we bought the house but my husband convinced me to keep it because he "loves a pool". Meanwhile I'm the one out here doing the actual work . I will replace the sand and purchase a test kit. Is there any utility in buying DE as well to boost the efficiency of our current pump? I understand it can be hazardous, I'm currently 6 months pregnant and have a busy body toddler so will likely turf that responsibility to my husband if so. I'll probably look at investing in a better pump after the season is over and prices come down.

 

[Mdragger88]

Adding de to a sand filter is tricky without a skimmer.
Your small filter will clog easily as it is but you can attempt it if you wish after replacing the gauge.
It shouldn’t be attempted without a gauge.

Here’s the how to.

Add DE to a Sand Filter

A clean pool filter will increase the efficiency of your pool! ... your filter are to backwash it, clean the manifolds and grids, and add new DE.

www.google.com

It must be replenished after each backwash. Only attempt it when you have time to babysit the filter & backwash as necessary when pressure rises 25% over clean pressure .

 

[mc1989]

Planning on replacing the sand this week. Any tips on how to do it? I've seen most people use a shop vac.

 

[Mdragger88]

Planning on replacing the sand this week. Any tips on how to do it? I've seen most people use a shop vac.

That works great

 

[mc1989]

Replaced the sand and did SLAM tonight. Still waiting for my test kit to arrive so kind of flying a bit blind. Return jet into pool is still not as strong as when pool is in recirculation but seems to be consistent now.

 

[Texas Splash]

Still waiting for my test kit to arrive so kind of flying a bit blind.

No worries. Don't try to rush anything chemically. No guessing or wasting of product. You can add about 5 ppm of liquid chlorine to the water each day just to meet the status quo until the kit arrives.

 

[Mdragger88]

Recirculate & backwash will always be stronger than filter. So long as you have a decent flow you’re good. When flow slows way down you’ll know it’s time to backwash.

 

[mc1989]

Pool is slowly clearing.. quite an improvement from where we started!!

 

[Texas Splash]

quite an improvement from where we started!!

Absolutely. Did you get your test kit yet? It's time to get surgically precise now.