Yesterday I was able to get everything hooked up with the pool. Sand filter was completely removed by the last homeowners. So the sand filter has brand new sand. My question is the pressure out of no where jumps 5-10 psi after 30-60 mins of the pump running. My water is blue, but pretty cloudy. The return jet will have decent flow and slow bleed off till you can’t see the water ripple. Is this normal since I just opened or is there something going on?
Backwashing filter every 30-60 mins
- Thread starter Jleek0151
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 62,789
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
The filter is doing its job. Filtering out the algae in your pool.
Do you have a complete set of test results from your own test kit?
Do you have a complete set of test results from your own test kit?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 66,092
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
You have an algae problem. Filtering will not fix cloudy water with algae in it. As you found out algae clogs up a filter rapidly.
To clear the algae you need to follow the SLAM Process process.
To do the SLAM Process process you need your own test kit, not test strips. Either the TF-100 Test Kits or the Taylor K-2006C. See Test Kits Compared The TF-100 is the best value. I would also suggest you get the Speedstir Magnetic Stirrer which will make testing easier and more accurate.
To clear the algae you need to follow the SLAM Process process.
To do the SLAM Process process you need your own test kit, not test strips. Either the TF-100 Test Kits or the Taylor K-2006C. See Test Kits Compared The TF-100 is the best value. I would also suggest you get the Speedstir Magnetic Stirrer which will make testing easier and more accurate.
Ok thanks. I just wasn’t sure because the water is basically clean when doing a backwash. It will be brown color for just a couple seconds then cleans up.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 66,092
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
You can have lots of algae in your water that you can't see but your filter picks up.
I suggest you review ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and Pool School - Trouble Free Pool
Once you have your test kit you can do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test which will confirm the algae.
Do you have a RECIRCULATE position on your filter?
I suggest you review ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and Pool School - Trouble Free Pool
Once you have your test kit you can do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test which will confirm the algae.
Do you have a RECIRCULATE position on your filter?
Ok will do. I just wanted to make sure nothing seem out of the ordinary since this is my first year of being a pool owner ?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 66,092
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Was that using your test strips? We don't give any advice based on test strips as they can be totally misleading. Get your test kit and we can then move forward.
I know you said that it is new sand you put into the filter but is the filter new? The reason I ask is I saw a filter a while back that had cracked veins in it and the sand was able to get through the little slots and clog up the filter although you may see sand going back into the pool. If there is one broken then it's best to replace all of them at the same time.
I believe the filter is between 5-10 years old. Would I see sand coming out of the backwash hose if this was the case?
- May 3, 2014
- 62,789
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Let's focus on the chemistry issues. There is no indication of any equipment issues.
I’ll get one ordered. Yes it’s been test strips, but my test was almost identical to my local pool store besides FC so I have been rolling with them.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 66,092
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Pool store tests are as unreliable as test strips. Our methods are based on owner testing with known test kits so that we are all using the same metrics.
@Jleek0151 the reason TFP discourages relying on Pool Store testing is due to inconsistency (and pushed unnecessary sales)... By encouraging the pool owner (you) to learn & perform the full set of proper liquid drop tests, consistency is improved... added bonus, you can redo any test you are not confident of the result in.
You can grab a "baby" HTH 5-way test kit at walmart to get started, you will also need the FAS-DPD test and highly recommend a SpeedStir
The full test kits are Taylor TF-100 or K-2006-C.
The upfront costs of any of these valid test kits is FAR less than all the bags of "shock", algaecides and other pool "potions" that owners are often (pool store) prodded into buying.
Usually, the sand would actually be going into the pool via the return(s). Losing some sand during backwashing is not uncommon.
Found something out that was interesting. I left to grab some dinner and I was gone for a couple hours. Shut the pump off when i left and the pump was reading around 18-19 psi. When I got back home and fired everything back up the gauge was reading at 12-13 psi. That reading is what I found to be the normal operating psi.
Was the gauge left outside for winter, possibly froze?
Does the gauge have a vent? (only used with pump OFF, no circulation or pressure)
The gauge was in my garage all winter, but is reading around 2-3 psi when the pump is off. As the pressure goes up on the gauge the flow of water out of the jet is less noticeable. I just assumed it was working correctly. Maybe I need to grab a gauge when I order the test kit.