Hey! Year #3 putting up my Intex 16x48 round pool. Water lime green like previous years. Shocked it like normal & turned brown. What?! Horrified! So went to the pool story hopping for magic & purchase biogard Sparkle up. Put a cup in my new upgrade a Krystal Cleqr Sand Filter Pump Model SF90110T expecting some magic results this morning and I still have brown water....sadness. :-(
What am I doing wrong?! I'm a little confused about the backwash process with this new pump. Just had the cheepo that came with the pool before.
Am I on the right track? How about this sock and rag treatment, I've been hearing about? Do I just put the rags in the sand filter compartment?
My husband is farming and I'm on my own. 20 miles to the nearest town for a pool for my kids....help please!
Janell
Welcome!
Please don't put anything in your sandfilter but
pool sand.
Your instruction manual for the sandfilter will explain the backwash setting. After filling the filter with sand and assembling per the manual, hook up the pump/filter assembly to your pool.
You need to backwash and rinse the new sand before you can filter water. Remove the cap from the waste port & attach a discharge hose that leads to an area you don't mind flooding with water. On the top of the sandfilter is the multiport valve, gently but firmly push down on the valve handle and rotate to 'backwash'.
TIP: Always rotate the valve with the system OFF and in the same direction to extend the valve's gasket life. I always rotate clockwise.
Run the system for approx. 2-3 minutes, or until the water flows clear from the discharge hose. There is a small sightglass on the side of the wasteport, and you will see sand collecting in it. Mine never clears no matter how long I backwash.
Turn off the system, rotate the valve to 'rinse', and run the system for 1-2 minutes. This is when my sightglass will clear out the sand.
Turn off the system, rotate the valve to 'filter'. Remove the discharge hose and cap the waste port.
Backwash done.
Turn on the system and watch the return flow. There may be a small plume or cloud of discharge when the water starts flowing, but that should stop in a few seconds. At no time should sand be coming out of the return.
Be sure to note the reading on the pressure gauge. This is your "clean pressure". When that pressure rises 20-25% it is time to backwash again.
TIP: The gauge that comes with the Intex is sub-par, mine lasted 5 weeks. TfTestKits.net has a very good quality replacement at a very reasonable price. http://tftestkits.net/Pressure-Gauge-Glycerin-filled-2-5-Rear-Center-Mount-p78.html
For example, my clean pressure is 9psi with the solar off. I backwash when the pressure reads 11-12psi, and/or the flow of the water return to the pool has greatly diminished.
If you decide to go with the replacement gauge you will need a reducing fitting to adapt the new gauge. And big box home improvement store should have what you need, just bring both the gauges with you.
Here is a pic of my sandfilter:
Dom