proper opening procedure

[anthony21078]

Peeked under the cover of our 18x36 in-ground and the water is clear and blue so I have plans to open this week. There is debris on the bottom that I will be vacuuming out with my pool blaster vacuum before turning the pump on. Of course I need to add some fresh water and there is section of liner that is sagging that needs to be fixed before I add the water.

I have a speck e90-III pump that is leaking/rusted but still works. I will be replacing it with Hayward VS pump very soon. I opened the Hayward DE3620 filter, removed the grids and gave everything a good cleaning. The filter is ready to be closed up now.

First, I figure I should clean all the debris with the handheld, fix the sagging liner and then raise the water level to the correct height.

Here's a list of things that need to get done but Im not sure what the correct order should be?
1)Add DE to the skimmer
2)Should I even bother installing the old Speck pump now to get the pool up and running or just wait until I get the new pump?
3)Adding the appropriate chemicals

I guess the real question is, should I add the DE right away (after cleaning the pool with the handheld) or chemicals first?'

Anything else I missed please tell me

 

[ajw22]

You should not run a DE filter without DE for more then the 10 minutes it takes to load DE through the skimmer.

First get the pump running, then add DE, then work on chemicals.

 

[anthony21078]

You should not run a DE filter without DE for more then the 10 minutes it takes to load DE through the skimmer.

First get the pump running, then add DE, then work on chemicals.

Thank you....what happens to the filter if this occurs?

 

[Texas Splash]

what happens to the filter if this occurs?

Debris can get clogged into pores of the grid fabric. Once that happens, it can be almost impossible to clean them out, making the grids unusable.

From one mfr manual:

"Never operate filter in excess of three (3) minutes without use of diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth
is the substance that filters the water, the filter cloth merely supports the diatomaceous earth. Operating
without diatomaceous earth will damage filter elements and shorten filtering cycles."

 

[splashpad]

Peeked under the cover of our 18x36 in-ground and the water is clear and blue so I have plans to open this week. There is debris on the bottom that I will be vacuuming out with my pool blaster vacuum before turning the pump on. Of course I need to add some fresh water and there is section of liner that is sagging that needs to be fixed before I add the water.

I have a speck e90-III pump that is leaking/rusted but still works. I will be replacing it with Hayward VS pump very soon. I opened the Hayward DE3620 filter, removed the grids and gave everything a good cleaning. The filter is ready to be closed up now.

First, I figure I should clean all the debris with the handheld, fix the sagging liner and then raise the water level to the correct height.

Here's a list of things that need to get done but Im not sure what the correct order should be?
1)Add DE to the skimmer
2)Should I even bother installing the old Speck pump now to get the pool up and running or just wait until I get the new pump?
3)Adding the appropriate chemicals

I guess the real question is, should I add the DE right away (after cleaning the pool with the handheld) or chemicals first?'

Summarizing what's already been said

1. Fix sagging liner
2. Manually scoop/remove all large debris from pool
3. Top up with water
4. Test Water, share results please
   • (daily/30min after treating/etc)
   • We like pics too!
5. If you are comfortable, after testing, use PoolMath to figure & add liquid chlorine and MANUALLY disperse with brush/rake in water
6. repeat steps 4 & 5 while you continue with...
7. :clarification: Add DE to filter BEFORE operating _either_ pump for longer then 3-5min (to prevent clogging/damage to internal grids)
8. If you feel comfortable running the old pump, the sooner you can get the water circulating, the easier to clear (do only if safe)
   • Replace the pump as soon as feasible
9. Once pump is circulating, you can start balancing all parameters, more easily
10. After lots of Pool Owner Patience, enjoy your pool this summer!

Anything else I missed please tell me

Can you add your pool & equipment details to your signature please?

 

[ajw22]

1. Add DE to filter BEFORE running _either_ pump
2. If you feel comfortable running the old pump, the sooner you can get the water circulating, the easier to clear (do only if safe)
   • Replace the pump as soon as feasible
3. Once pump is circulating, you can start balancing all parameters, more easily

Well the quote started with point 7 ...

With a DE filter DE must be added by the skimmer with the pump running. That is the correct way to add DE.

If you have a MPV then get the pump running in RECIRCULATE. Once pump is running get DE bag ready and determine amount if DE to add for the size of the filter. Turn pump off, put MPV in filter, turn pump on, pour DE into skimmers.

And to point 3 ...

Test Water, share results please

Test results are going to be sketchy without the pump running. Water gets stratified in layers. I would not make any chemical changes based on water that has been still for a long time.

Anthony should get the pump running, then add DE, then work on chemicals.

 

[anthony21078]

Happy to report everything is up and running. Pool is clean and water test is good

 

[ajw22]