Against my better judgement, I used back to blue upon reccomendation of my local pool store. I cannot get this floc vacuumed up. I have vacummed twice and its a little better but, not much. The skimmer plate, wont stay down, so someone has to physically hold the skimmer plate down for it to vacuum a little. I have checked the impeller and we do have water flow when we turn to vacuum to waste. We did turn the main drain off. This is a nightmare and I STILL have an algae bloom and cant even run my filter. I have a 12000 gallon inground fiberglass pool with a Hayward filter. (don't know what kind)
New to Vacuuming, Can't seem to get Floc out
- Thread starter Poolnewbie25
- Start date
Welcome to TFP!
If the vacuum late won’t stay down, you don’t have suction. It should be very difficult if not impossible to lift.
My guess is you aren’t filling the hose with water before connecting to the skimmer. Hold the end over a return until bubbles quit coming out of the vac and it starts sinking. Then hold your hand over the end of the hose and carry it to the skimmer.
If the vacuum late won’t stay down, you don’t have suction. It should be very difficult if not impossible to lift.
My guess is you aren’t filling the hose with water before connecting to the skimmer. Hold the end over a return until bubbles quit coming out of the vac and it starts sinking. Then hold your hand over the end of the hose and carry it to the skimmer.
Hey there Poolnewbie... welcome to TFP.
SOoooo you've got a fiberglass pool, aprox 12k gallons, but no clue about the filter? Can you post a pic for us please?
How do you normally chlorinate? What chemicals have you added to this pool?
Just as a warning in case you're considering it- DO NOT ever drain a fiberglass pool or you seriously risk having it pop out of the ground. WE're gonna have to figure out how to fix this problem without that option.
Maddie
SOoooo you've got a fiberglass pool, aprox 12k gallons, but no clue about the filter? Can you post a pic for us please?
How do you normally chlorinate? What chemicals have you added to this pool?
Just as a warning in case you're considering it- DO NOT ever drain a fiberglass pool or you seriously risk having it pop out of the ground. WE're gonna have to figure out how to fix this problem without that option.
Maddie
OH NO!! Well you are in a pickle!! Sorry to have to met this way but we can get you all set up with a little help on your end. As soon as it get light out tomorrow run out and take a pic of your filter. We have to know what kind it is to know how to move forward.
While you are waiting for the sun to come up I would like you to do some reading. I am going to link to two places:
this one so you can learn our "language" ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
this one so you know what you are going to have to do to clear your pool of algae SLAM Process
While you are waiting for the sun to come up I would like you to do some reading. I am going to link to two places:
this one so you can learn our "language" ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
this one so you know what you are going to have to do to clear your pool of algae SLAM Process
It is a sand filter, don't know what size. So far this year I have used granulated chlorine, a pool opening product, metal out, and the Back to Blue.Hey there Poolnewbie... welcome to TFP.
SOoooo you've got a fiberglass pool, aprox 12k gallons, but no clue about the filter? Can you post a pic for us please?
How do you normally chlorinate? What chemicals have you added to this pool?
Just as a warning in case you're considering it- DO NOT ever drain a fiberglass pool or you seriously risk having it pop out of the ground. WE're gonna have to figure out how to fix this problem without that option.
Maddie
Yikes....so its a real chemical soup, huh? Blech!
First bit of advice is to never ask a PoolStore what to do. Sure, they'll sell ya something....but rarely is it the right thing at the least cost.
DO you have a main drain? Is it open and working?? if so, close it off so that you can let the icky FLOC settle down. Then vacuum very slowly to waste. You'll lose some water and have to replace it but no other solution. Don't let the FLOC go into your sand filter or it will gunk up the sand.
Do you kmow how to use a manual vac properly? How to fill it with water before you hook it up to the skimmer plate??
Maddie
First bit of advice is to never ask a PoolStore what to do. Sure, they'll sell ya something....but rarely is it the right thing at the least cost.
DO you have a main drain? Is it open and working?? if so, close it off so that you can let the icky FLOC settle down. Then vacuum very slowly to waste. You'll lose some water and have to replace it but no other solution. Don't let the FLOC go into your sand filter or it will gunk up the sand.
Do you kmow how to use a manual vac properly? How to fill it with water before you hook it up to the skimmer plate??
Maddie
I closed the main drain and the filter is off. I have vacumed the entire pool twice and while less, its still not gone. My pool is cloudy and I have cried many a tears over this. The problem is the water is dropping pretty fast and I can only vacuum half the pool at a time. The vacuum just seems to cloud it up.Yikes....so its a real chemical soup, huh? Blech!
First bit of advice is to never ask a PoolStore what to do. Sure, they'll sell ya something....but rarely is it the right thing at the least cost.
DO you have a main drain? Is it open and working?? if so, close it off so that you can let the icky FLOC settle down. Then vacuum very slowly to waste. You'll lose some water and have to replace it but no other solution. Don't let the FLOC go into your sand filter or it will gunk up the sand.
Do you kmow how to use a manual vac properly? How to fill it with water before you hook it up to the skimmer plate??
Maddie
Ok, well we can fix green water a lot easier than FLOC'd water. BUt we'll do whatever we can to help. Do you have your MPV on the filter set to "Waste" and the pump running while you're vacuuming??
When did you put this FLOC stuff in?
Maddie
When did you put this FLOC stuff in?
Maddie
Yes I have it on waste and the pump is running. The Back to Blue was done last evening.Ok, well we can fix green water a lot easier than FLOC'd water. BUt we'll do whatever we can to help. Do you have your MPV on the filter set to "Waste" and the pump running while you're vacuuming??
When did you put this FLOC stuff in?
Maddie
Ok.... well perhaps you've stirred it up enough for today. Try again tomorrow.. Turn the pump off and let everything settle to the floor. Then go VERY slow again tomorrow. If you need to add water to keep things up to the skimmer, do so.
Other than this lil pickle.... tell us how you care for your pool normally? How do you chlorinate it? How do you test it? Here at TFP this is so much we can teach you about pool care so that you have clearer, cleaner water than ever before, and at less cost! We don't buy much of anything from pool stores. We buy the same chemicals needed (and ONLY if needed) in their simpliest form. We also don't sell anything, so our motives can't be questioned. We're all just fellow pool owners who have learned a better way to sanitize and care for our pools.
Maddie
Other than this lil pickle.... tell us how you care for your pool normally? How do you chlorinate it? How do you test it? Here at TFP this is so much we can teach you about pool care so that you have clearer, cleaner water than ever before, and at less cost! We don't buy much of anything from pool stores. We buy the same chemicals needed (and ONLY if needed) in their simpliest form. We also don't sell anything, so our motives can't be questioned. We're all just fellow pool owners who have learned a better way to sanitize and care for our pools.
Maddie
We buy the big thing of granulated chlorine and add 1 lb a week plus we have the pucks in a filter dispenser. Bring in a water sample once a month and buy what they tell us. This will be our 4th summer with the pool. I got a grand total of 15 minutes instruction on how to work the pump and the rest has been fly by the seat of my pants. I don’t understand levels or chemical terms, so it was easier to just do. In the past month, I have spent almost $350 on chemicals that hasn’t even helped my pool get ready.Ok.... well perhaps you've stirred it up enough for today. Try again tomorrow.. Turn the pump off and let everything settle to the floor. Then go VERY slow again tomorrow. If you need to add water to keep things up to the skimmer, do so.
Other than this lil pickle.... tell us how you care for your pool normally? How do you chlorinate it? How do you test it? Here at TFP this is so much we can teach you about pool care so that you have clearer, cleaner water than ever before, and at less cost! We don't buy much of anything from pool stores. We buy the same chemicals needed (and ONLY if needed) in their simpliest form. We also don't sell anything, so our motives can't be questioned. We're all just fellow pool owners who have learned a better way to sanitize and care for our pools.
Maddie
OMG. Shocking amounts of cash for no improvement?! OK, sit down for this.... I spend no more than $100-150 per YEAR on my pool! Now, granted having a Salt Water Chlorinator helps a lot, but there really is so little needed in a pool. Some chlorine, stabilizer and maybe some muriatic acid? No pool store chemicals at all.
Need chlorine now!?--> hit up the hardware store and grab some Liquid Chlorine. Or the grocery store for some plain, non-thickened, non-scented, non-Clorox type bleach. Yup- its liquid chlorine! Just a bit weaker than the liquid chlorine one gets elsewhere. Walmart is a good source for 10% liquid chlorine in their pool section. Its called "Pool Essentials 10%" for about $3.69.
The most important element in pool care is having your own reliable test kit. The two that we endorse are the TF-100 (made by company out of NC) or the Taylor K-2006C (gotta be C version for comparison). The better buy is the TF-100, IMO.
www.tftestkits.net The other one is available via Amazon. Rarely to never do pool stores have these test kits. They want you to rely on them so they can sell you more products.
The money you spend on a GOOD test kit will save you a TON of green down the road.
Have you read our Pool School articles? How we manage our pools?? Lets start out with a few here-->
ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
FC/CYA Levels
Test Kits Compared
Need chlorine now!?--> hit up the hardware store and grab some Liquid Chlorine. Or the grocery store for some plain, non-thickened, non-scented, non-Clorox type bleach. Yup- its liquid chlorine! Just a bit weaker than the liquid chlorine one gets elsewhere. Walmart is a good source for 10% liquid chlorine in their pool section. Its called "Pool Essentials 10%" for about $3.69.
The most important element in pool care is having your own reliable test kit. The two that we endorse are the TF-100 (made by company out of NC) or the Taylor K-2006C (gotta be C version for comparison). The better buy is the TF-100, IMO.
www.tftestkits.net The other one is available via Amazon. Rarely to never do pool stores have these test kits. They want you to rely on them so they can sell you more products.
The money you spend on a GOOD test kit will save you a TON of green down the road.
Have you read our Pool School articles? How we manage our pools?? Lets start out with a few here-->
ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
FC/CYA Levels
Test Kits Compared
Beerfloater
Bronze Supporter
Trust me... if you listen to the people in this forum, and follow their instructions you will have a pool that is more clear, and sparkling than you ever thought possible. Like they have already said the first thing you need is a good test kit like they recommended. The second thing you need is a whole lot of patience..... this does not happen overnight. I am new here also.... I had a very very green pool less than a month ago, and now it has the clearest, and cleanest water. The patience was the hardest part for me. I am soo glad I found this site, and if you stick with us you will be too. From the pic you posted it looked like it was vacuuming up the flock. As Yippie said Vacuum till water is getting close to bottom of skimmer...turn everything off replinish water level to, or near top of skimmer. Then use the second most important tool I told you about "Patience" wait till everything settles again which will probably be the next day, and vacuum again. You will get it..... Please keep letting us know how its going, and like I said you will be shocked by how beautiful your pool will look when you follow the suggestions, and procedures found here at TFP.
This could be part of your problem this year......3 yrs of this will have pushed your CYA ( Cyanuric Acid – Protects chlorine from sunlight and determines the required FC level) levels up. Look at this chart: FC/CYA Levels as you can see from this chart the higher your CYA the more FC (free chlorine-the good stuff that kills algae and stuff) you need.
I know your head is spinning right now......"I don't know how to do any of this!!" and that is okay! We can and will teach you. I want you to read @Beerfloater post again. He was in WAY worst shape than you when he first started and look at his pool now. Here is a link to his thread: Extreme learning curve Please HELP!!!!
Did you vacuum to the filter at all after you added the floc stuff? Have you done a back wash on your filter in a while?
We got ya! We WILL help you clean up your pretty pool and make it even easier to take care on than ever before!!!
Kim
I am so excited! I took your advice, along with a friends advice and was able to successfully vacuum my pool! I am adding water and will vacuum again this afternoon. I attached a picture and there is staining on the walls. What can I use to remove that? I am also going to order a test kit today.
Attachments
I am ordering a test kit. Unfortunately, Patience is a virtue I don’t possess. Fortunately, my husband does, so we will get through this! How do I know how much liquid chlorine to add until I get my test kit in?
I did NOT vacuum to the filter. All vacuuming has been done to waste. Which hopefully will help lower the CYA?This could be part of your problem this year......3 yrs of this will have pushed your CYA ( Cyanuric Acid – Protects chlorine from sunlight and determines the required FC level) levels up. Look at this chart: FC/CYA Levels as you can see from this chart the higher your CYA the more FC (free chlorine-the good stuff that kills algae and stuff) you need.
I know your head is spinning right now......"I don't know how to do any of this!!" and that is okay! We can and will teach you. I want you to read @Beerfloater post again. He was in WAY worst shape than you when he first started and look at his pool now. Here is a link to his thread: Extreme learning curve Please HELP!!!!
Did you vacuum to the filter at all after you added the floc stuff? Have you done a back wash on your filter in a while?
We got ya! We WILL help you clean up your pretty pool and make it even easier to take care on than ever before!!!
Kim
- May 3, 2014
- 59,185
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Add 5 ppm worth of LC each day with the pump on until your test kit arrives and you post up the test results.
Use PoolMath for how much LC to use.
Based on your 12000 gallon pool, a half gallon of 10% LC each day will suffice.
Use PoolMath for how much LC to use.
Based on your 12000 gallon pool, a half gallon of 10% LC each day will suffice.