First time home with pool! Need help understanding equipment

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aquasusie1

Member
Feb 29, 2024
9
Florida
Hello!

Recently moved to a home with a pool. No idea how any of it works. The house was neglected for what I assume a few years. Never dealt with pools before. Wanting to drain out 25% and refill with new water. Turned the sand filter to waste but no water was moving. Help in understanding how my pool system works? Do I have to turn any valves?

History: pool had solar powered heaters on the roof but taken off when we had our roof done


Any information is appreciated for a newbie. Thank you!!
 

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Welcome to TFP! :wave: I'm only seeing one pic. Do you have more pics you can share? Show us your filter, valves on the plumbing, anything relevant and we'll be glad to coach you along.

Also be sure to bookmark our Pool Care Basics page for tons of great info.
 
Texas Splash said:
Welcome to TFP! :wave: I'm only seeing one pic. Do you have more pics you can share? Show us your filter, valves on the plumbing, anything relevant and we'll be glad to coach you along.

Also be sure to bookmark our Pool Care Basics page for tons of great info.
Click to expand...
Hi! Thank you for responding. :)

I posted a reply with the pictures and on the forum reply.
 

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Thanks! So a few things to note:
- You have a fairly simple set up. It looks like there used to be solar at one point but that's gone which is why the red valves on the wall are closed.
- You have what appears to be a fairly old pump and filter. You might want to start budgeting for replacements down the road. For now, you may be fine.
- The sand filter uses a multiport valve (MPV) to change the selections from FILTER, BACKWASH, RINSE, etc. If you have questions about how a sand filter or MPV works, let us know. Or hop on YouTube for tons of videos on sand filters and MPVs.
- Your pump is connected to a timer on the wall. The timer may be set for certain times of day to operate. As long as the pump is operating we can help you with some adjustments as needed.

Your immediate concerns are:
- Make sure the pump pot (under the lid) is always full of water when operating.
- Watch the pressure gauge on the filter to ensure it doesn't' get too high which indicates it needs to be cleaned (backwashed & rinsed).
- Check your poolside skimmer to ensure the skimmer basket doesn't get full with leaves and junk.

Be sure to review the many articles in our Pool Care Basics page and we'll help as well.
 
More notes for you:
- If your pump is a 2-speed, you can run it on low to save on power. If it's a single speed pump (only runs on high), then you'll definitely want to replace it with a variable speed pump soon.
- We typically backwash filters when the pressure gauge needle increases by about 25% from the starting/clean pressure. If you don't know what that is, then one day you'll need to do a thorough backwash & rinse. After that, take note of the new pressure reading. When it goes up by 25% it's time to do another backwash & rinse.

Hope that helps get you going.
 
As for water chemistry, be sure you are testing your own water with a TF-Series test kit (link in my signature) or a Taylor K-2006C. Do NOT fall for local pool store testing or advice. You'll regret it. The cost and wasted effort is ridiculous. With your own accurate water testing, we can guide you through ANY water issue.

It doesn't look like you have a salt generator, so that means you must be adding chlorine each day or so. If that's true, be sure to use liquid chlorine for now and not pools store powders or tablets. They have side effects. We can't be sure until you can post a full set of accurate water test results from either a TF-Series kit or a Taylor K-2006C.
 
aquasusie1 said:
Hi! Thank you for responding. :)

I posted a reply with the pictures and on the forum reply.
Click to expand...
It looks like the lid on that StaRite DuraGlass 1 pump has cracks in it that someone tried to patch. A cracked lid will not allow the pump to pull water as too much air can enter through the cracks.
Your filter is a PacFab (now Pentair) Triton, probably a TR60 sand filter. They hold 300# sand and you probably will need to add some as most filters lose about 10# to the backwash line every year for the first 5 after a fill.
Wouldn't hurt to get some inexpensive spray paint (flat or satin) and spray that tank to help slow the deterioration of the fiberglass.
 
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Texas Splash said:
As for water chemistry, be sure you are testing your own water with a TF-Series test kit (link in my signature) or a Taylor K-2006C. Do NOT fall for local pool store testing or advice. You'll regret it. The cost and wasted effort is ridiculous. With your own accurate water testing, we can guide you through ANY water issue.

It doesn't look like you have a salt generator, so that means you must be adding chlorine each day or so. If that's true, be sure to use liquid chlorine for now and not pools store powders or tablets. They have side effects. We can't be sure until you can post a full set of accurate water test results from either a TF-Series kit or a Taylor K-2006C.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for the helpful information! I will definitely be getting one of the testing kits you recommended. Many forums have also said the same thing. This community is so helpful :kim: I appreciate the time you took looking through the pictures and replying.
 
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1poolman1 said:
It looks like the lid on that StaRite DuraGlass 1 pump has cracks in it that someone tried to patch. A cracked lid will not allow the pump to pull water as too much air can enter through the cracks.
Your filter is a PacFab (now Pentair) Triton, probably a TR60 sand filter. They hold 300# sand and you probably will need to add some as most filters lose about 10# to the backwash line every year for the first 5 after a fill.
Wouldn't hurt to get some inexpensive spray paint (flat or satin) and spray that tank to help slow the deterioration of the fiberglass.
Click to expand...
Oh I see. I didn't notice that it was patched. Will have to make note of replacing that. Appreciate the very detailed information on my system. Will be researching how to add more sand for that product.
 
aquasusie1 said:
Oh I see. I didn't notice that it was patched. Will have to make note of replacing that. Appreciate the very detailed information on my system. Will be researching how to add more sand for that product.
Click to expand...
There is a special wrench that is used to remove the domed lid on the filter, about $25.00 on Amazon
The sand bed should be up to the portion of the tank where the cylinder meets the half sphere. You remove the lid, push the diffuser aside (or cover it) and just pour in a bag of filter sand if it is too low, uncover or move the diffuser back upright and install the lid. Be sure to get a new lid O ring and use pool lube on it. After filling the tank, be sure to rinse any sand from the threads in the tank before replacing the lid. Backwash the filter (about 2 minutes) and you should be good.
 
Texas Splash said:
Thanks! So a few things to note:
- You have a fairly simple set up. It looks like there used to be solar at one point but that's gone which is why the red valves on the wall are closed.
- You have what appears to be a fairly old pump and filter. You might want to start budgeting for replacements down the road. For now, you may be fine.
- The sand filter uses a multiport valve (MPV) to change the selections from FILTER, BACKWASH, RINSE, etc. If you have questions about how a sand filter or MPV works, let us know. Or hop on YouTube for tons of videos on sand filters and MPVs.
- Your pump is connected to a timer on the wall. The timer may be set for certain times of day to operate. As long as the pump is operating we can help you with some adjustments as needed.

Your immediate concerns are:
- Make sure the pump pot (under the lid) is always full of water when operating.
- Watch the pressure gauge on the filter to ensure it doesn't' get too high which indicates it needs to be cleaned (backwashed & rinsed).
- Check your poolside skimmer to ensure the skimmer basket doesn't get full with leaves and junk.

Be sure to review the many articles in our Pool Care Basics page and we'll help as well.
Click to expand...
Another question - do I have to connect any hose or line somewhere when doing a waste or will it just go by itself? Any recommended videos to watch or information to read?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
1poolman1 said:
There is a special wrench that is used to remove the domed lid on the filter, about $25.00 on Amazon
The sand bed should be up to the portion of the tank where the cylinder meets the half sphere. You remove the lid, push the diffuser aside (or cover it) and just pour in a bag of filter sand if it is too low, uncover or move the diffuser back upright and install the lid. Be sure to get a new lid O ring and use pool lube on it. After filling the tank, be sure to rinse any sand from the threads in the tank before replacing the lid. Backwash the filter (about 2 minutes) and you should be good.
Click to expand...
Awesome. Very detailed instructions.
 
aquasusie1 said:
Another question - do I have to connect any hose or line somewhere when doing a waste or will it just go by itself? Any recommended videos to watch or information to read?
Click to expand...
The pipe on the right of the MPV (facing the filter) is your backwash line. Not sure what that is on the end, but a hose like the one referenced is usually used to divert the backwash water where you want it to go. It needs to be as large as the picture to get enough flow to actually backwash the sand.
Available at Home Depot or a pool store as well.
 
1poolman1 said:
The pipe on the right of the MPV (facing the filter) is your backwash line. Not sure what that is on the end, but a hose like the one referenced is usually used to divert the backwash water where you want it to go. It needs to be as large as the picture to get enough flow to actually backwash the sand.
Available at Home Depot or a pool store as well.
Click to expand...
I was also wondering what that thing on the end is. Not sure at all. Thanks again! will be buying that hose
 
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