I just purchased a house with a pool. Due to some construction on the house, I made the mistake of not keeping up with the pool. The previous owner had 2 unicel filters that had broken bands. My problem is the pool wouldn't get beyond cloudy, so I purchased a new unicel filter. Problem is flow decreased greatly with the new filter. So much that I can't see any flow into the skimmer. There is water movement, but water barely comes out the jets. If I remove the filter I get strong flow, and the same if I put back the old filter. Shouldn't a new filter be less restrictive?
Flow Problem With New Filter
- Thread starter ohjj13
- Start date
- May 3, 2007
- 16,834
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Broken bands on a cartridge filter are not cause for concern and doesn't affect the capability of the filter. I have been operating without bands for years.
The problem you are experience has nothing to do with the equipment and everything to do with the chemistry. You probably have a algae bloom and it is clogging up the filter so it is reducing the flow rate of the pump. The first thing to do is to kill the algae: pool-school/defeating_algae
The problem you are experience has nothing to do with the equipment and everything to do with the chemistry. You probably have a algae bloom and it is clogging up the filter so it is reducing the flow rate of the pump. The first thing to do is to kill the algae: pool-school/defeating_algae
I have been fighting an algae problem. I have shocked/slammed it a number of times. I still don't understand why a new filter will not flow better than an older filter?
- May 3, 2007
- 16,834
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Because the live algae plugs up the filter in very short order. Doesn't matter if it is new or old. This is why you have to kill the algae before you can filter it out.
Welcome to tfp, ohjj13 
You may want to put the old filter in and finish the SLAM process...see: http://www.troublefreepool.com/pool-school/shocking_your_pool. Note the clean filter pressure and clean it when it goes up 25%.
Please post a full set of test results...see: http://www.troublefreepool.com/pool-school/read_before_you_post
Does you new filter restrict that much even right after cleaning?
You may want to put the old filter in and finish the SLAM process...see: http://www.troublefreepool.com/pool-school/shocking_your_pool. Note the clean filter pressure and clean it when it goes up 25%.
Please post a full set of test results...see: http://www.troublefreepool.com/pool-school/read_before_you_post
Does you new filter restrict that much even right after cleaning?