newby in Walnut creek, CA

[stevemac213]

Ok, biting the bullet and draining it...could take a couple days though since I just have a small pump.

Anything I should do while it is emptying? (i.e., sweep the sides/bottom)

Thanks.

 

[stevemac213]

Just wondering if I should start a new post when I refill it or continue here. Do I need to SLAM it when I refill it or just add chlorine/bleach? I'm draining at least 75%.
Thanks.

 

[duraleigh]

Keep your posts right here so all can follow your complete "story".

 

[stevemac213]

Ok, thanks Dave, but I really need some guidance. I have read pool school and bought a good test kit but still feel pretty much lost. I should've never listened to the guys at the pool store...I don't think they ever tested for CYA, since it was always

60/70. But I was a newbee so I listened to them and bought all their garbage...and had no idea about this site or the poolforum site. Now I'm draining the pool for the second time since we moved here almost 5 months ago....so bummed.

I'd say it's about half-way empty now, after 24 hrs...small pump.

Thanks for any help.

 

[mas985]

You don't need to shock on a refill but some city water has a lot of chloramines which will reduce FC. So you just need to make sure the FC level is kept above the minimum of the FC/CYA chart.

 

[stevemac213]

Ok thanks Mark. It is still emptying...not yet 75%. Question...can I turn the pump on when refilling it and if so, when? I thought it had to be above the skimmer level for the pump to run but if I shut that skimmer off, can I just run it using the bottom drain? (not sure how to do this but if it's possible, I will figure it out...I hope)

Thanks.

 

[jblizzle]

If you can isolate the floor drain, then you may be able to get the pump primed and running ... no real huge hurry to do so though.

 

[danacc]

There was algae in the water, and if you didn't fully drain and clean the pool, it's still there. You'll need to slam once it's refilled to get rid of the algae. (Draining and refilling in and of itself doesn't mean you need to slam, but in your case, you're fighting algae in the water.)

 

[stevemac213]

Really? Even if most of the water will be new? What about the filter...does that need to be cleaned as well?

Thanks.

 

[jblizzle]

There is still algae. You need to SLAM, but it should go quicker since you replaced water.

Always clean the filter when the pressure rises 20-25% over the clean pressure.

 

[stevemac213]

Ok thanks Jason. I guess my question is...do I need to clean or soak the filter cartridges because of the algae? I heard that I should buy a large garbage pail and soak them for awhile to get rid of the algae...is this necessary?

Thanks again.

 

[danacc]

Here's a great write-up on cleaning a cartridge filter by chem geek: re-how-to-clean-a-cartridge-filter-t4465.html

When I had a swamp and slammed it, I didn't soak the cartridges until the bleach consumption came way down. I didn't want the pump off for very long, and we didn't have an extra set of cartridges to swap out.

 

[linen]

I agree with danacc, I wouldn't do the soak cleaning until after you have finished the SLAM process. Instead, just spray off the pleats whenever the pressure goes up 25% over the "clean pressure".

 

[stevemac213]

Shoot. I read the link on pool school and cleaned the filter before I got these posts and have already soaked the cartridges in TSP overnight. Will I have to do this process again? I'm on day 4 now of draining with my little pump and am draining more than 75%...thinking about draining it all.

Thanks.

 

[linen]

You will probably be fine, just spray the filters off next time and see if the look clean.

Why are you draining more than 75%?

 

[stevemac213]

Ok thanks. I'm not sure how old these cartridges are but I'm guessing they are probably due to be replaced...how do I know when it's time?

Well, the water looks pretty bad and I am now finding black spots, which I'm assuming is black algae. And I don't want to go through this again so I figure I might as well start over.

 

[stevemac213]

Should have asked this before but will the Slam process hurt the plaster since it is pretty old?

Thanks.

 

[jblizzle]

No. Our methods are designed so as to pose very little risk to the pool or equipment.

 

[stevemac213]

Ok great. Can you pls guide me though this as I have never attempted a Slam before...think I will start it tomorrow.

Thanks Jason.

 

[linen]

Here is the pool school article on it: http://www.troublefreepool.com/pool-school/shocking_your_pool If you have questions, just ask