Green swamp at opening

[WhitB08]

Here is a picture of the label of my Hayward filter. Notice the section of filter media where it lists media required and LBS. My filter needs 300 pounds of sand. If our going to replace all the sand anyway, just add what the label says.

I’m just going to top it off. I couldn’t sleep last night and was searching threads on here and there are numerous about putting new sand in and it not coming near the recommended level despite adding the 300 lbs. It’s just weird that they have manuals out with such differing information.

 

[Orion7319]

I’m just going to top it off. I couldn’t sleep last night and was searching threads on here and there are numerous about putting new sand in and it not coming near the recommended level despite adding the 300 lbs. It’s just weird that they have manuals out with such differing information.

If you’re going off the manuals, I find they can be a bit confusing. Here is a section from my manual. Notice the manual is for both the S210S and the S244S. Very similar units, sharing mostly the same parts, but they take different amounts of sand, because the filter housings are different sizes. So it’s not a surprise when you search you find different recommendations with differing information. That’s why I personally just went with the information on the label.

 

[Texas Splash]

This may be water under the bridge by now, but I believe if you add enough sand to be slightly below the diffuser pipe opening you are good. Many Hayward owners state that when doing a complete sand change, and adding the label-specified amount of sand, the new sand level is about halfway. It varies with some filters based on MPV type as well. Even some side mounts have diffusers that "pivot" inside the filter body for easier access, so their sand height might vary. But if your sand level is about halfway and just under that diffuser opening you should be fine.

Now we'll be curious to know how the system is operating once you have it all back together.

 

[Orion7319]

This may be water under the bridge by now, but I believe if you add enough sand to be slightly below the diffuser pipe opening you are good. Many Hayward owners state that when doing a complete sand change, and adding the label-specified amount of sand, the new sand level is about halfway. It varies with some filters based on MPV type as well. Even some side mounts have diffusers that "pivot" inside the filter body for easier access, so their sand height might vary. But if your sand level is about halfway and just under that diffuser opening you should be fine.

Now we'll be curious to know how the system is operating once you have it all back together.

These manufacturers seem to enjoy making things confusing sometimes…

 

[WhitB08]

Back up and running. We added 100 pounds of sand that raised the bed up a few inches. It was roughly where the red line is just below the elbow of that pipe (yellow) and it now sits where the blue line is, about an inch above the pipe, but still 4-5 inches below the top of the pipe where it connects to the diffuser. Fingers crossed that between the new gasket and some additional new sand I’ll start to see a difference in 24 hours.

 

[Newdude]

I can't quite explain it, but I have this weird urge to go pet my cartridge filter. Meh. I might as well tell the SWG that she's a good girl while I'm out there.

 

[Texas Splash]

Back up and running.

Outstanding! I doubt you will have this problem, but take a peek at the backwash line to make sure no water is leaking out to WASTE by mistake when the MPV is in FILTER mode. My gut tells me you had two issues at the same time - a bad seal at the MPV and low on sand. Of course the low sand could explain pool filtration. The bad seal at the MPV means (potentially) dirty water was making its way back to the pool via the return jets. You might have also been losing sand without knowing it which could explain the low sand level. Now we wait to see how your water responds to everything Nice DIY weekend!

 

[WhitB08]

Outstanding! I doubt you will have this problem, but take a peek at the backwash line to make sure no water is leaking out to WASTE by mistake when the MPV is in FILTER mode. My gut tells me you had two issues at the same time - a bad seal at the MPV and low on sand. Of course the low sand could explain pool filtration. The bad seal at the MPV means (potentially) dirty water was making its way back to the pool via the return jets. You might have also been losing sand without knowing it which could explain the low sand level. Now we wait to see how your water responds to everything Nice DIY weekend!

Yes, at least I didn’t cause any obvious problems from what I did. So I was actually curious about whether maybe it had been coming out the backwash pipe while on filter from the discussions on here, so I had my husband undo the PVC a few feet out from the pump where it would be more obvious and I watched it for a couple of days and I never noticed any water coming out. Thanks so much for all your coaching!

 

[Texas Splash]

Now we wait a day or two to see if there are any obvious changes to your water clarity. Hoping for the best. Keep us posted.

 

[WhitB08]

24 hour update: no noticeable change. Today is also exactly 3 weeks of consistent slamming. I did perform an OCLT out of curiosity and passed with .5 FC loss, and CC was .5. I’m taking several pictures and I will do the same of this time tomorrow and reassess.

 

[Texas Splash]

@WhitB08, after careful consideration, I see no need for you to maintain the elevated FC SLAM level. Of course you can if you just want to as a precaution. Chlorine can be a considerable expense, but more importantly you have passed the OCLT several times in the past week. Your problem doesn't appear to be algae at this point, but filtration. Following your efforts this past weekend to replace the spider gasket, deep clean the sand, and add more sand to what was a bit low, now it's a waiting game. I would encourage you to give the filter some time this week. If by Weds the water is not showing definite changes, you can try adding DE again to try and help the sand with filtration. If by the end of this week you're not seeing concrete evidence of clearer water, I have a couple other options for you to consider.

Have a good day & week.

 

[Mdragger88]

What kind of robot do you have? Does it have ultra fine pleated filters?

 

[WhitB08]

What kind of robot do you have? Does it have ultra fine pleated filters?

No, it’s just mesh screen. It’s a Nautilus Dolphin CC. I did put skimmer basket stockings on the other day to see if that might help catch small particles.

Edit- I am so glad you asked that! I remember it came with additional screens and I just went and looked and they are the accordion type that should catch finer particles better. I’m going to go pop those in now.

 

[Mdragger88]

Edit- I am so glad you asked that! I remember it came with additional screens and I just went and looked and they are the accordion type that should catch finer particles better. I’m going to go pop those in now.

Yes that will make the bot essentially a roving cartridge filter. Put it to work!
Also add it to your signature

 

[W.J.Christy]

Has the water cleaned up any ove the last few days?

 

[WhitB08]

Has the water cleaned up any ove the last few days?

I don’t think so, if it has it’s not really noticeable. I promise to update this thread whenever it’s resolved with an explanation. I’ve read so many similar threads that were abandoned, which is frustrating because you wonder what their solution ended up being.

 

[Texas Splash]

I sent you a PM. I'm going to send another.

 

[mmcwhorter]

You and I are in the same process, mine right now...I hope my "blog" helps you if needed.
Assume by now you are looking good, nice and clear.
We are following the same path.
I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel at the end of Day 2.

Logging and Reporting My Pool Opening

I thought it would be cool (and useful for some folks in the community) to log and report my pool opening process for 2023...step by step. I assume this will take a few days based on what I saw in the water. DAY 1 We pulled to cover off earlier today, 9 AM...a bit later than normal as we are...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[WhitB08]

You and I are in the same process, mine right now...I hope my "blog" helps you if needed.
Assume by now you are looking good, nice and clear.
We are following the same path.
I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel at the end of Day 2.

Logging and Reporting My Pool Opening

I thought it would be cool (and useful for some folks in the community) to log and report my pool opening process for 2023...step by step. I assume this will take a few days based on what I saw in the water. DAY 1 We pulled to cover off earlier today, 9 AM...a bit later than normal as we are...

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks for sharing! We both started with yucky green water, but I am 3 1/2 weeks into the process. I don’t believe I ever had ammonia, as my FC held pretty well after the first day as did my CYA. I continually have passed OCLT and CC has stayed at .5, but I cannot get past the milky blue stage which definitely looks like a filtration issue. I have tried a few logical fixes to no avail. At this point I am just trying to be patient and watch for improvement. Looking forward to following your progress which hopefully is much quicker than mine!

 

[Mdragger88]

Thanks for sharing! We both started with yucky green water, but I am 3 1/2 weeks into the process. I don’t believe I ever had ammonia, as my FC held pretty well after the first day as did my CYA. I continually have passed OCLT and CC has stayed at .5, but I cannot get past the milky blue stage which definitely looks like a filtration issue. I have tried a few logical fixes to no avail. At this point I am just trying to be patient and watch for improvement. Looking forward to following your progress which hopefully is much quicker than mine!

Have you noticed your robot picking up any sand?
Have you tried turning the pump off overnight to see if things settle?