This is my first time maintaining a pool on my own. I have been doing a lot of reading and watching videos online, but still very confused about certain things. Anybody know where I could find a manual for an Anthony Pools VA-26? I know it's older, but this filter seems very different from others I see in YouTube videos. I still don't understand how to backwash, especially where the hose goes. I managed to get the pool open last week, but I have no idea if everything was done correctly. I have had the filter running at 6 psi steady, which seems low and makes me afraid something is wrong. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
First timer with questions
- Thread starter AirZonk
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,783
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome to TFP! 
You could post some pics of your equipment pad from a couple different angles. We'll do what we can to help. Also see Pool Care Basics.
You could post some pics of your equipment pad from a couple different angles. We'll do what we can to help. Also see Pool Care Basics.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 7,500
- Pool Size
- 30000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60
That is a DE Filter. And an older one. Looked for a manual, didn't find one. There are some links around here that may help...
www.troublefreepool.com
blog.intheswim.com
Google search results
www.troublefreepool.com
Anthony Apollo VA-52 DE Pool Filter Repairs
Anthony Apollo VA-52 DE Pool Filter Repairs - how to make grid and valve repairs to the Anthony Pools Apollo DE filter - one of my favorite filters of all time!
blog.intheswim.com
- Jun 24, 2021
- 7,500
- Pool Size
- 30000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60
- Jun 24, 2021
- 7,500
- Pool Size
- 30000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,783
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
- Jun 24, 2021
- 7,500
- Pool Size
- 30000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60
I forgot @anthonypool89 ! I think he actually has one of these...
Have you added any DE to the filter? Have you backwashed the filter? Try following the instructions in the video Pat posted. I can't really see the bottom of your slide valve in the photos you posted. If you can get a clear profile shot of the slide valve that will help us help you.
I added 2 scoops of DE to the skimmer. I have not backwashed the filter, as I don't know where the hose goes. I'm pretty sure there's no slide valve. It's a push pull valve as seen in the 3rd and 4th photos.
Slide valve and push/pull valve are the same basically. How big is the scoop you are using? Do you know if all the DE was cleaned out of the filter when the pool was winterized?
This video shows a larger version of your DE filter with the push/pull valve.
The valve shows the waste opening at the bottom. In this video they are draining the filter without attaching the hose to the waste opening at approximately 18 seconds into the video.
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It is a 24 ounce scoop. I'm pretty sure all the DE was cleaned out of the filter when the pool was winterized.
You may be a little light on the DE if it was cleaned out to winterize. You should add 1 lb of DE for every 10 square feet of filtration. There is some debate by pool professionals and manufacturers if a DE scoop holds 1 pound or 1/2 pound. Your filter should have 2 1/2 - 3lbs of DE.
Your VA-26 is likely not much different than my VA-52. When I was using chlorine and didn't have a heater, my pressure used to run around 8 psi if I remember correctly. After adding a heater, starting pressure was usually around 11-12. Last few years a bit higher.
On the tube right at the bottom. When the handle is in the up position, that's backwash.
Not sure why they call that video 'how to backwash'. All it shows is a guy dumping alot of DE in the skimmer.
I suspect that the 26 designation refers to 26 sq. feet filter area, being that mine is 52 sq. ft. I can't quite read the pic of the label you posted.
You can do that, but it makes a heck of a mess around the filter area, not to mention a bit of a swamp that always soaks right through my shoes. Hose clamp on a backwash tube works best. Even with that, you get alot of spent DE on the yard wherever the stuff drains.
Yep...I know this filter inside and out. Been using one since '89. AirZonk...feel free to message me if you want.
Best to remove the grids (and clean them) when preparing to close the pool. Then, reattach the lid, take off the pressure gauge and can easily attach an air compressor fitting to blow out all the lines right from the filter. Handle should be in the down (operating) position. Of course, likely depends on your plumbing set up. I also remove the three bolts and take out the push-pull valve and store that inside. Then, I had made a strong plastic piece in the triangular shape of the valve opening that I put over the top, then a few plastic bags over that and twine around it to hold it in place. Probably could leave the valve in during the winter I but I always figured it wouldn't do the two o-rings any good that are part of the assembly. I'd never want to store the grids in the filter tank during the winter either.
It's a really easy filter to operate. Pressure relief valve on the top to get rid of excess air after backwashing / recharging. Only downfall of this extremely durable filter is that you can only have the pool in either operating or backwash position. You can't vacuum to waste or recirculate water while bypassing the grids, etc. This is part of the reason I've never tried to use floc. Keep some waterproof lube on both the valve o-rings and also on the tank o-ring. I often clean the o-ring real well after taking apart the filter. I never just backwash, but instead always drain the tank, take out the grids and hose them off real well, then put everything back together before adding new DE.
Thanks for the info.
I have another concern that I need some more help on. The other day I tried to vacuum the pool. Once I started the pressure dropped to zero psi, which scared me. Also, all the tiny shrub leaves I vacuumed up somehow ended up back on the bottom of the pool. I'm not sure what went wrong. Am I supposed to do something with the push/pull valve before I vacuum? I don't have a multiport, so there's no waste or filter setting for me. Did I miss something?
I have another concern that I need some more help on. The other day I tried to vacuum the pool. Once I started the pressure dropped to zero psi, which scared me. Also, all the tiny shrub leaves I vacuumed up somehow ended up back on the bottom of the pool. I'm not sure what went wrong. Am I supposed to do something with the push/pull valve before I vacuum? I don't have a multiport, so there's no waste or filter setting for me. Did I miss something?
Yeh, once you lost prime you also lost suction so then all that was midway in the hose came right back down into the water.