Filter woes

rthorntn · Dec 8, 2019

Hi,

I have a 150 sqft Cartridge Filter right now with 2 cartridges, one is 6 months old and the other is 3 months.

Now I changed from sand to cartridge 6 months ago (the pool was sand for at least a decade), not sure if that's relevant (is there some micron sized thing that sand lets through that would clog up the cartridge)?

After I spray down the 6 month old cartridge now, the filter looks fine, it basically installs at the same pressure I removed it at, so something has clogged it up that is not being removed by hosing or an overnight soak in normal water.

Should I use TSP or hydrochloric acid or something else and should I soak it?

Thanks.

Richard

ajw22 · Dec 8, 2019

Cartridge Filter Use and Care - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

What is your clean filter pressure and what are you getting with your cartridge?

What are you spraying down the cartridge with to try and clean it?

Jimrahbe · Dec 8, 2019

Richard,

The most likely cause of your problem is an algae bloom, even if you can't see if yet.

I suggest that you run an OCLT... See this ... Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

If the OCLT fails, then perform a SLAM... See this... SLAM Process

For reference, a sand filter catches things the size of a bus, a cartridge filter the size of a motorcycle, and a DE filter the size of a kids bike... :mrgreen:

Thanks,

Jim R.

rthorntn · Dec 8, 2019

Thanks, clean filter pressure was 10 and now after a spray down I'm getting 19 which is basically really close to the red, the flow is crappy (my chlorinator runs at only half full with the pressure at 20)?

I'm just spraying it with water from a hose in flat mode but in the past I have soaked it overnight in water and a couple of times I sprayed "LO-CHLOR INSTANT FILTER" on it, left it for 15 minutes and rinsed off, l used the lo-chlor yesterday and it made no difference.

The 3 month old filter clean filter pressure was 10 and after a spray down I'm getting 14.

rthorntn · Dec 8, 2019

Thanks, I have been battling with algae as its just coming in to summer here and I had equipment issues (chlorinator failed but looked fine).

The problem with that is, I can't really battle any algae if I can't get any flow through the pump, and literally from the minute the hosed off filter is installed the flow is crappy, I took the 6mo filter out yesterday (it had only been installed for 24 hours and was spotless, no green) because the pump stopped with no flow (20), hosed it off, put it back in and it was 19 straight away.

I'm manually dosing chlorine because I have no flow to run the chlorinator.

To add to all this level 2 water restrictions start tomorrow making this whole thing even more stressful.

ajw22 · Dec 8, 2019

Hosing with water alone will not clean a cartridge. Follow the cleaning protocol in Cartridge Filter Use and Care - Further Reading

Do the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test as Jim suggested. If you have algae you may want to do the SLAM Process with your cartridge removed. Chlorine kills algae. You only need your filter to remove the dead algae. If your filter keeps on clogging then kill the algae without the filter and then filter out the dead algae afterwards.

Texas Splash · Dec 8, 2019

It is odd that after cleaning the pressure is either no better or perhaps even worse immediately after cleaning. Along with the OCLT, I would be curious to know:
1. If the pressure reads the same with no carts installed.
2. To rule-out a potentially bad gauge, does it fall to zero when the system is off? Won't help low water flow, but would be good to know anyways.

You haven't used acid on those carts before have you?

wireform · Dec 8, 2019

A picture of the equipment pad may help us out. Possibly a restriction due to a valve in the wrong position.

Jimrahbe · Dec 8, 2019

Richard,

Sorry, I had assume your pressure was ok right after you cleaned the filter, then within a day or two, the pressure would go up to max.. That would most likely be algae,

I suspect it was some chemical you used to treat your algae.. Did you add an algaecide or flocculent in your recent algae fight?

Thanks,

Jim R.

rthorntn · Dec 8, 2019

Thanks all, for my sanity I'm going to SLAM with the filter removed and vacuum the dead algae to waste.

Gauge reads 0 when the pump is off.

No algaecide or flocculent used.

No acid used on the carts.

My guess is the flow will be just great with no filter installed.

Texas Splash · Dec 8, 2019

Thanks for the update. Let us know how the pressure looks with no carts installed. I'm assuming you've already verified any valves "after" the filter for correct positioning? If in doubt, feel free to post a pic. As for the SLAM with no filters, that won't be ideal. The filtration is essential for the SLAM Process, so hopefully we can help you pinpoint why the spike in pressure with those carts. If there is no physical obstruction after the filter (plumbing, valve, etc), then the carts must somehow be compromised. But I suspect that will prove itself when you try running the system with no carts installed. We'll watch for updates.

rthorntn · Dec 8, 2019

Thanks, no cart installed reading is 10 basically the same as a brand new cart installed.

I bought some TSP, I'm putting both carts in a 50 gallon drum, that's 10 cups of TSP, how long should I leave the carts in for?

ajw22 · Dec 8, 2019

For all spa cartridges and elements used in swimming pools where perspiration, suntan lotions, and other oils are present, soak the element for at least on hour (overnight is most effective) in (1) a commercial filter cleaner; or (2) one cup trisodium phosphate (TSP) to five gallons water.

rthorntn · Dec 8, 2019

Thanks, while I soak the carts I'm running the controller on boost, that goes at 100% chlorine for 24 hours. My Tri Ph Large should produce 35 gram per hour (the cell is brand new) and the acid pump should keep the Ph in check. I will go from there, I'm expecting clear water and a mess on the bottom tomorrow.

ajw22 · Dec 8, 2019

rthorntn said:
Thanks, while I soak the carts I'm running the controller on boost, that goes at 100% chlorine for 24 hours. My Tri Ph Large should produce 35 gram per hour (the cell is brand new) and the acid pump should keep the Ph in check. I will go from there, I'm expecting clear water and a mess on the bottom tomorrow.

That is not following our recommended SLAM Process. Algae does not usually get cleared that quickly.

Did you do a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test?

rthorntn · Dec 8, 2019

Thanks, I will do an OCLT and SLAM when I figure out whats wrong with this filter.

Compared to the 3mo filter, the 6mo pleats look a lot more rigid and are clumping together in groups of up to 5 pleats, maybe this is calcium carbonate as I have used kilos of calcium hypochlorite (it's what I have in the cupboard, I know I should use liquid and will when it runs out) with all the issues?

I'm really wondering if the 6mo took the brunt of something left in the water for many years that a sand filter wasn't able to filter.

It's in the TSP now and a nice white froth has formed on the top of the water.

Should I do acid after the TSP?

rthorntn · Dec 8, 2019

Hi,

Sorry if this has been asked before (or it's a stupid question).

I'm starting to worry that granulated chorine probably shouldn't be used in a pool with a cartridge filter because of needing acid to get rid of calcium carbonate (residue from calcium hypochlorite), I'm assuming calcium carbonate clogs the filter and can't be sprayed off with a hose the source is from Cartridge Filter Use and Care - Further Reading.

I changed from sand to cartridge and I have used kilos of calcium hypochlorite (from my supplies) on the pool as we come in to summer (I've also had quite a few equipment issues). My filter issues

Should we be saying that granules are bad in a cartridge system, or that you must do an acid bath after using a lot of granules?

Thanks.

Richard

ajw22 · Dec 9, 2019

What test kit do you use?

Post a complete set of test results:
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Salt
Water temp

ajw22 · Dec 9, 2019

What is the procedure to clean my cartridge?

Remove the cartridge from the filter housing following the manufacturer's instructions.
Use a garden hose with a straight flow nozzle to wash down the filter element. Work from the top down, holding the nozzle at a 45 degree angle, and wash all the pleats with emphasis between pleats.
Rinse until all dirt and debris are gone.
For all spa cartridges and elements used in swimming pools where perspiration, suntan lotions, and other oils are present, soak the element for at least on hour (overnight is most effective) in (1) a commercial filter cleaner; or (2) one cup trisodium phosphate (TSP) to five gallons water.
Rinse the cartridge again to remove oils and cleaning solution.
If the filter has a coating of alage, calcium carbonate (residue from calcium hypochlorite), iron, or other minerals, soak the cartridge in a solution of one part muriatic acid to twenty parts water until all bubbling stops. WARNING: Failure to remove all oils and cleaning solution before acid soaking will result in a permanent restriction of water flow and cause premature cartridge failure.
Rinse the cartridge clean and reassemble housing.

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