About to run pump first time in months....ok to prime then backwash before filter?

[borjis]

Just got my liner in yesterday. return jets & skimmer have been trimmed and refitted, filling to water line now.

The sand filter site glass has green water in it. It was clear 2 months ago when I first looked at this home
for buying.

I'm assuming the water inside the filter is green as well now (has not run since the old liner failed in june this year)

I would prefer not to have any of that enter my fresh fill.

Once I reach the pool fill line at the skimmer, can I just prime the pump basket with a bucket of water to make sure it's full, close it up, then rotate
to backwash and switch it on? (do that first to clear all the gunk out before running it on filter?)

 

[duraleigh]

I'm assuming the water inside the filter is green as well now

Not necessarily. Algae needs sunlight to grow and thrive. You can do what you are contemplating but I would just put it in "filter" position if it were my pool

 

[pabeader]

I assume you're going to be putting chlorine in your pool right away so even if there are green meanies in there it shouldn't matter.

 

[borjis]

ok thanks guys.

it should be to the fill line in within the next 6 hours.

CYA in a sock going in immediately and some bleach.

 

[kimkats]

I am SO happy for you! It is really happening! What an interesting ride you have been on this year. I can hear the smile in your posts!

NOW go change your pic! Get rid of that old thing! LOL

Kim

 

[borjis]

haha Kim! And you were the first to know!

Life is great!

 

[Agent99]

Not necessarily. Algae needs sunlight to grow and thrive.

Actually, there are forms of algae that can grow in the dark. They use sugar and starch as an energy source. It is called heterotrophic growth.

 

[duraleigh]

Actually, there are forms of algae that can grow in the dark. They use sugar and starch as an energy source. It is called heterotrophic growth.

So, should we be allowing for that in our pool filters and backwash first as borjis is asking?

 

[borjis]

Almost filled to the skimmer. I think I will backwash first anyways...filter has not ran since june and I don't know
when previous owner last did it.

plus I need to know what the "reset" psi is supposed to be after back washing and rinsing.

 

[borjis]

It's running. came out a bit cloudy. did the backwash and rinse.

 

[pabeader]

Sweet, you're on your way now!!

 

[borjis]

duraleigh, your recommendation to just run the pump for awhile first was a better idea than backwashing first.

The filter had sat for months not being ran since the liner had failed.

When I tried to do the backwash first, I did notice something about it not quite working. There should have been a lot more water coming out the waste line.

After running the pump on filter for over 8 hours within 2 days, I did the backwash yesterday and WAY more water was coming out and the sight glass was showing brown/dirty water. After running for 3 minutes then rinsing it was nice and clear and I'm pretty sure my return jets got a big boost.

I think it needed to be running in filter like you said to at least get the water all through the clumped up sand that had been sitting.

 

[domct203]

Have you considered deep cleaning the sand?

http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/73192-Deep-Cleaning-a-Sand-Filter

Dom

 

[kimkats]

borjis that is good info to know for future people needing help.

I would also think about what Dom has said. A good deep clean.

Kim

 

[borjis]

i will deep clean...on my Todo list.