Dealing with a lot of leaves from last year

[Finnegan5]

Hi all,
I'm still learning about pools, this is my second year in a house with snn inground pool (32k gallons, sand filter, salt water), and I screwed up big time last fall. I was on extended travel for work and didn't get to close the pool until October. By then, the were a lot of leaves at the bottom of the pool and the guy who helps me close the pool advised closing it up and dealing with the leaves in the spring. Now I'm dealing with those leaves and it's a bit overwhelming. I know there are a lot of leaves on the bottom, I'm scooping them up with a leaf rake/bag, but because the water is completely green I can't tell when the majority of the leaves are removed.
Is there a point at which I can switch from raking out the leaves and move to shocking and filtering to start getting a clearer water picture of where I'm at? I don't want to damage the filter by taxing it with too many leaves if there are still a lot on the bottom. I was thinking maybe I could rent a large diameter pump, suck up water/ leaf debris from the deep end/low end, and run that output hose over a seining net that I secure over the pool edge. The water would run back into the pool and the leaves would catch in the net (in theory).
Any thoughts about that idea or an alternative approach, or am I overly concerned about the possible damage to the filter and I should go ahead with filtering after removing as much leaves as possible?
Any recommendations are greatly appreciated,
Finn

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

You are not going to damage the filter. BTW, it would help us if you create your signature with details of your pool and equipment it will help us know things like what pump and filter you have.

What it will do is use a lot more chlorine along the way. Follow the SLAM Process, stock up on lots of liquid chlorine, and be patient, and your water will clear in time to where you can clean up the bottom. There are threads of others here who have gone through it.

What test kit do you have?

I suggest you read the ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry to understand TFP methods.

 

[Finnegan5]

Welcome to TFP.

You are not going to damage the filter. BTW, it would help us if you create your signature with details of your pool and equipment it will help us know things like what pump and filter you have.

What it will do is use a lot more chlorine along the way. Follow the SLAM Process, stock up on lots of liquid chlorine, and be patient, and your water will clear in time to where you can clean up the bottom. There are threads of others here who have gone through it.

What test kit do you have?

I suggest you read the ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry to understand TFP methods.

Thanks for the quick and instructive reply! I'm going to review the SLAM process and ABCs (something I should have done sooner I think) and then I'll have more confidence about how to proceed. Copy that about using a lot more chlorine, that's the price I'll pay for not doing a better job of closing last year. I'll post back and let you know how I make out.

P.S. I did do a signature and used your own as a guide. I hope that posts correctly ?

 

[ajw22]

I hope you have your minerals pulled out of your Nature2 system - Nature2 Fusion - Further Reading

 

[Finnegan5]

I hope you have your minerals pulled out of your Nature2 system - Nature2 Fusion - Further Reading

I do, thanks for the check. I can't claim that I knew why, that was the previous homeowner's input, so it's good to have read that link for why it's not preferred.

 

[Finnegan5]

Hi Alan,
I just wanted to round back with you and say "Thanks!" for your advice and encouragement while I worked my pool back from a swampy opening. As you mentioned, it took a lot of chlorine and a lot of patience but the pool is clear and my levels are all within the recommended ranges for salt water. I have some staining on the liner and the white plastic steps but I'm still investigating that. I'm thinking it's either iron or just the organic leaf matter from the bad pool closing I did in the fall. I'm going to do the vitamin C test on those today to see if it's iron. Thanks again and enjoy the season!

 

[ajw22]

Glad it worked out.

My guess is the stains are from the leaves. Keep your FC at the high end of the range and it should fade over time.

 

[blues4m&m]

Hey Finnegan5,

How long did it take before your water cleared up?

I've opened to a very similar situation, and I'm trying to remain patient and stay the course, and seeing your success definitely is motivation right now!

 

[Finnegan5]

Hey Finnegan5,

How long did it take before your water cleared up?

I've opened to a very similar situation, and I'm trying to remain patient and stay the course, and seeing your success definitely is motivation right now!

Hi Blues,
Sorry for the delayed response, I don't have an alert properly set up for this site. I'm hoping this note is OBE and you're already enjoying your pool, but it took a good 10 days for me to get it cleared.