Sand Filter Troubles

[Rhollerud]

Looking for advice on sand filters. We have a Pentair Sand Dollar #145322. We replaced the sand last summer with Ruby sand at the recommendation of the pool store (I know…). We are trying to SLAM our green pool and our chlorine levels have consistently been above 17 (currently sitting at 21, down from 31 this morning) since Tuesday and we have seen little to no change to the water. My husband deep cleaned the sand the other day (see 1st photo) and it was gross, but I read you should only need to do that 1x per year. You can see the two water comparisons, the water coming from the filter is darker than the actual pool water. So that’s all going back into the pool.

Any thoughts on reasons our filter might not be doing a good job to filter out the algae?

21k gal, above-ground vinyl. Using liquid chlorine.

 

[Texas Splash]

Are you on a well?

 

[1poolman1]

Looking for advice on sand filters. We have a Pentair Sand Dollar #145322. We replaced the sand last summer with Ruby sand at the recommendation of the pool store (I know…). We are trying to SLAM our green pool and our chlorine levels have consistently been above 17 (currently sitting at 21, down from 31 this morning) since Tuesday and we have seen little to no change to the water. My husband deep cleaned the sand the other day (see 1st photo) and it was gross, but I read you should only need to do that 1x per year. You can see the two water comparisons, the water coming from the filter is darker than the actual pool water. So that’s all going back into the pool.

Any thoughts on reasons our filter might not be doing a good job to filter out the algae?

21k gal, above-ground vinyl. Using liquid chlorine.

Sand filters and algae are not a good mix. Add a handful of DE or cellulose fiber to the skimmer with the pump running to put a coat over the sand. It will trap the (hopefully dead) algae and be backwashed out at each cleaning, which may be many depending on how dirty the water is. Cellulose is better as it is inert and makes far less mess (that goes away quickly), than DE.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

What's Ruby Sand?

Addendum....never mind. I Googled it. No thanks... I'll stick with Mother Nature's sand.