Phosphates...Back washing cartridge filter???

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M

mdota16

0
May 15, 2018
11
mineral ridge, ohio
I have a Pentair clean and clear plus cartridge filter, but I do not see anywhere with a backwash set up. I have phosphates and have to Floc my pool. Man at pool store told me to remove the drain plug on the bottom to rid all the waste When vacuuming the pool. Is this the best way to go about this process? I attached a file of my setup.
 

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If it's not too late to stop you, no you don't. Phosphate levels don't really matter in a properly-chlorinated pool and floc will probably clog your cartridges beyond cleaning. You're better off not doing that stuff. If your pool is green or cloudy, there are better ways of curing it. As an aside, the makers of phosfree specifically warn against adding it to a pool with live algae. But I digress.

If you've already done it, it probably wouldn't hurt to open up the filter and try to clean the cartridges. See Pool School - Maintenance and Cleaning of Pool Filters

There are probably also videos on youtube that will show you how.
 
Mike,

The man at the Pool $tore wants your money, we do not... :p

The man at the Pool Store is the main reason that most of us are here on TFP... Our whole purpose in life is to show you how to test your own pool water and to understand what you need to add to your pool and what you do not...

Think of it this way... you are on a trip and currently you have to stop at ever pool store along the way to ask for directions... Using the TFP pool care process is kind of like having your own pool GPS.. It tells you where you are, and what you need to do to get where you want to go... without stopping at any pool stores along the way... :p

I suggest you start by reading our Pool School... Pool School - Pool School

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Unfortunately, I already put the solution in, they have me running it for 12-24 hrs without the cartridges in. I’m supposed to put the Floc in tomorrow and shut down my system and vacuum/backwash in 48 hrs. I cleaned the filters this morning when I took them out, they were very dirty. They are soaking in that same solution they gave me, 1 oz of solution. Should I continue with the flocking?
 
mdota16 said:
Unfortunately, I already put the solution in, they have me running it for 12-24 hrs without the cartridges in. I’m supposed to put the Floc in tomorrow and shut down my system and vacuum/backwash in 48 hrs. I cleaned the filters this morning when I took them out, they were very dirty. They are soaking in that same solution they gave me, 1 oz of solution. Should I continue with the flocking?
Click to expand...
SInce the cartridges are out and the flock is in, disregard my post above. I've never used either product, so I have no wisdom on what to do next.
 
Mike,

That is good news... Having the cartridges out will keep them from getting clogged...

I would remove the filter drain plug and vacuum the floc up the best you can....

I would worry a little about where the drain water is going... can you direct it away from your foundation or basement???

Jim R.
 
I've done some reading about the phosphate levels, mine is at 500 which isn't really high from what I'm understanding. I put 16 oz of PhosKlear in the pool today, which made it cloudy. It was not cloudy or green to begin with. I guess my question is, do I still have to Floc it tomorrow. Also, they had me buy 6 1 pound bags of Super Shock-It, to put in at night after I vacuumed. If I do ot have to Flock it, what is my next step to get up my Chlorine, i have .1 reading of FC.
 
Mike,

I can't advise you on Flocking or PhosKlear or any of the other magic chemicals they sell at the pool store...

The main reason is that I have never used them and really don't have a clue what they will do...

Sorry,

Jim R.
 

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Is this the stuff you added? PhosKlear 4000 | Products | SeaKlear

I personally wouldn't add the floc tomorrow - or at all. With good circulation and normal vacuuming, the filter should filter the phosklear residual out. Watch the pressure on the filter - when it rises 25% above the clean pressure, pull the cartridges and clean them. You may need to do this several times in the coming days until the water clears up.

Consider getting one of the recommended testkits - either the TF-100 or K2006C. The C is important on the K2006C as the reagent quantities are higher. The TF-100 is the better value as it contains more of the reagents you will use most. The TF-100 is available at: TF-100 Test Kit . Add the SpeedStir to make testing quicker, more accurate and consistent.
 
Thank you for the feedback, yes that was the stuff I added. I just saw ur reply, I have been outside working on the pool all day. I decided not to Floc it and I vacuumed it twice today and rinsed filters both times. Water is clearing up. I actually just got my TF-100 test kit in the mail today.

Thanks agian,

Mike
 
Glad to hear it's clearing up without using the floc. It may take a little longer but at least you won't have a floc mess to deal with. You may have to clean the filter a few more times until the pool is cleared up.

Great job on obtaining a TF-100 and SpeedStir.

Post you fill water numbers for FC, pH, TA and CH. Don't test for CYA in fill water as there isn't any. Are you on city water or a well?

Also post a complete set of test results from your pool water. CH isn't a major concern in your vinyl lined pool, unless it's really high.

FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
 
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