Install Intex Hydro Jet

[papamcdukie]

Hi,
I'm new to pool ownership, but hoping to learn as I go...mostly on this forum.
Today I installed (upgraded) to a new Intex sand pump & filter (SF90110-1) along with the Hydro Aeration return jet, which required trimming the opening in the pool to accommodate the 1.5" fitting. All working as it should I think, except I'm not getting bubbles coming consistently from the jet. Anyone know if there's a trick to getting it working well? Also, I get the impression that too much bubbling could negatively affect PH? Thanks for any advice.
Signed, Rookie Pool Owner

 

[splashpad]

Hi,
I'm new to pool ownership, but hoping to learn as I go...mostly on this forum.
Today I installed (upgraded) to a new Intex sand pump & filter (SF90110-1) along with the Hydro Aeration return jet, which required trimming the opening in the pool to accommodate the 1.5" fitting. All working as it should I think, except I'm not getting bubbles coming consistently from the jet. Anyone know if there's a trick to getting it working well? Also, I get the impression that too much bubbling could negatively affect PH? Thanks for any advice.
Signed, Rookie Pool Owner

Welcome to TFP! Here is a video (not mine)

Of what the bubbles should look like.
To troubleshoot some ideas: Is the valve on top seated correctly? I can't remember if ours could be adjusted or not... We finally replaced it with a "normal" straight through return.

Excessive aeration in the presence of higher TA can raise PH quickly (not bad for vinyl, but if the water is hard can cause scaling).

 

[papamcdukie]

Thanks for this. I've checked just about everything I can think of. One thing I just noticed is that what I turn the pump to recirculate and bypass the filter I get significntly more pressure/output and lots of bubbles from the jet. I left the pump running overnight, since I'd just set it up. The pool had been running for 3 weeks with the old cartridge-style filter and was not excessivly dirty. This morning there was almost no pressure coming from the output jet. I did a quick backwash and it improved, but should there be significantly less pressure when running through the filter? Seems like the media was already clogged (already??!!).
I didnt check the pressure guage before backwashing, and I guess I should have.
Thanks again.

 

[splashpad]

The pool had been running for 3 weeks with the old cartridge-style filter and was not excessivly dirty. This morning there was almost no pressure coming from the output jet. I did a quick backwash and it improved, but should there be significantly less pressure when running through the filter? Seems like the media was already clogged (already??!!).
I didnt check the pressure guage before backwashing, and I guess I should have.
Thanks again.

It sounds like you might need to increase your chlorine, is the pool water cloudy? Are you using liquid chlorine (or bleach) (best pool sanitizer)? If not, what type of chlorine are you using?

 

[papamcdukie]

It sounds like you might need to increase your chlorine, is the pool water cloudy? Are you using liquid chlorine (or bleach) (best pool sanitizer)? If not, what type of chlorine are you using?

The water doesn’t appear cloudy.
Chlorine levels seem ok (using test strips). I’ve been using pucks since I started, with a couple of other granular products - one chlorine based, the other not - as needed to stabilize.
Are you saying that low chlorine levels could cause the filter to bog down quickly? Due to more particles being sucked into the filter?

 

[splashpad]

The water doesn’t appear cloudy.
Chlorine levels seem ok (using test strips). I’ve been using pucks since I started, with a couple of other granular products - one chlorine based, the other not - as needed to stabilize.
Are you saying that low chlorine levels could cause the filter to bog down quickly? Due to more particles being sucked into the filter?

Low chlorine = algae can get started (algae can be present w/o green, and w/o cloudy, if it is just starting). Your CYA levels are likely high, meaning the small amount of chlorine being added is only barely keeping algae at bay.
I would suggest the info from this article: How to Chlorinate Your Pool - Trouble Free Pool

If you don't wish to monitor chemisty levels, this is TFP-care for small pools that are simpler to drain and refill: Guide for Seasonal/Temporary Pools - Trouble Free Pool