Hi all:
I am a newbie to pools who just moved into an old house with an old neglected pool with all its equipment. The pool is approx 40x20 which the calculators tell me is around 30k gallons. The previous owner told us that the pool pump has not run in 5+ years. We had to fill the pool as part of the inspection and closing process a couple of months ago. The water has been stagnating since then until we moved in. Now that we have done so, I need to get the pool in good shape. I had a pool guy come in and take a look, but his advice did not seem convincing. He told me that I needed to redo the concrete around the skimmer ($3000 quote) before I got the pump going, but from what I can see the concrete in the pool is not leaking. I only see losses consistent with natural evaporation. That is what led me to research on the web and find this forum.
I started reading TFP last weekend and have ordered the TF100XL test kit. The water in the pool was turning green and was filled with mosquito larvae. So I dumped several gallons of liquid chlorine from Walmart into it. I also dumped in 4 lbs of Cal-hypo into it. This turned the pool cloudy blue, with a lot of pine needles and vegetation. I understand that I should hold off on adding any chemicals until I know what my current water contains. I am guessing that it has 0 CYA and a lot of organic matter. So I am turning my attention toward the pumping equipment.
Here is what I have:
My plan is to get the pumping equipment going first and then try to use the mesh basket to scoop up the vegetation in the pool. Once I get the test kit in hand and look at the results, then I will try to figure out the SLAM strategy. I will look into the heater, possible pump replacement etc. after my pool is clean. Please advise if I am on the right track.
Thanks!
I am a newbie to pools who just moved into an old house with an old neglected pool with all its equipment. The pool is approx 40x20 which the calculators tell me is around 30k gallons. The previous owner told us that the pool pump has not run in 5+ years. We had to fill the pool as part of the inspection and closing process a couple of months ago. The water has been stagnating since then until we moved in. Now that we have done so, I need to get the pool in good shape. I had a pool guy come in and take a look, but his advice did not seem convincing. He told me that I needed to redo the concrete around the skimmer ($3000 quote) before I got the pump going, but from what I can see the concrete in the pool is not leaking. I only see losses consistent with natural evaporation. That is what led me to research on the web and find this forum.
I started reading TFP last weekend and have ordered the TF100XL test kit. The water in the pool was turning green and was filled with mosquito larvae. So I dumped several gallons of liquid chlorine from Walmart into it. I also dumped in 4 lbs of Cal-hypo into it. This turned the pool cloudy blue, with a lot of pine needles and vegetation. I understand that I should hold off on adding any chemicals until I know what my current water contains. I am guessing that it has 0 CYA and a lot of organic matter. So I am turning my attention toward the pumping equipment.
Here is what I have:
- Sta Rite mpra6f-148l single speed pump: I know that the motor turns, but I am not sure if the pump works or not. The strainer/priming cup on the pump had a green slimy mess. What should I do before I try to get the pump going? There is no valve on the pipe feeding the pump from what I can see.
- Hayward DE4820 DE filter: I opened it up and it looked pristine. Basically, there were just the grid fins(?) with no DE or any dirt sticking to them. It looked like someone cleaned it up at the end of the season and it was never used after that. I bought a case of DE from Leslie's to use. The connections to/from the filter look like this:
and this:
How do I use this valve to backflush and vacuum the pool? I could not find a "vacuum to waste" setting, so I don't know what I can do to clean the pool.
- Polaris 360 cleaner: The bag is torn up, so I have ordered a replacement. I don't if the cleaner itself is salvageable. I am not sure how and where it connects and how to test it out. Any pointers will be appreciated.
- Skimmer: Has two holes with filthy black stuff in it. I have filled up the pool to beyond that level, but I am concerned about all the yucky mess in the plumbing that has been left over the years. Also, can I use this skimmer hole to vacuum the pool?
- AMF Paragon timer with orange and white disk - seems to work, but I am not sure what I should do to test it out fully. Any suggestions?
- Solar pool heater - there is actually an ancient natural gas heater next to the pump, but it is disconnected and I believe needs to be junked. There is also a solar heater on the roof. I have no idea what its condition is. To make matters worse, the piping out of the pump shed that "should" go to the heater seems to be cut just outside the shed and I have no idea where the rest of the piping leading to the roof begins if I want to try to resurrect the heater.
My plan is to get the pumping equipment going first and then try to use the mesh basket to scoop up the vegetation in the pool. Once I get the test kit in hand and look at the results, then I will try to figure out the SLAM strategy. I will look into the heater, possible pump replacement etc. after my pool is clean. Please advise if I am on the right track.
Thanks!
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