Baking soda filter clog?

[mitch08]

Hey all,

My pools TA was virtually zero.
Like a fool I added 7 lb of baking soda in one shot to quickly raise it. Then the very next day another 7 lb.

TA is now 50 so about halfway there

Problem is ever since I added it, pool has been running poorly. Return Jets are extremely weak . Every few hours it needs to be backwashed or at least burped. And there appears to be air in the gasket until I do.

Do you think this could have been caused by the baking soda? Or maybe because there is air in the gasket there was something else going on that I did not notice originally on the suction side?

It runs well for about 3 or 4 hours after backwashing.

Thanks a million for any help.

DE filter, 25000 gallons.

 

[Richard320]

No. Baking Soda would have all dissolved long ago.

A filter that clogs that fast has the beginnings of an algae bloom. You're likely at a stalemate, where the bleach you add is just enough to kill the algae at the same rate it grows, thus ensuring a neverending supply of dead algae carcasses to clog the filter.

How about posting a full set of test results, so we can see if anything else pops out at us?

 

[mknauss]

First, never add any chemical directly in to the skimmer. You add your DE that way, but that is a mineral.

Any chance getting a full set of test results? What you have occurring sounds more like nascent algae.

Take care.

 

[mitch08]

Thanks for answering so quick guys . Sorry for the miscommunication. I did not add it to the filter. Broadcasted it around the pool. Just a whole lot of it

FC - 2.5
Ph - 7.0
Ta - 50
Cya - 30
Cc - 0

 

[mknauss]

Either way, sounds like you have nascent algae.

Raise your FC to 20% of CYA for today. Run a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test tonight.

 

[Mike1162]

I also have a DE filter & recently added baking soda. No pressure rise or reduced flow after adding it. Might be time to clean the filter.

 

[mitch08]

Ok. Thanks so much everyone. I will clean the filter and increase CL and see how it works.