VS pump and can’t get the schedule right…

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l1ltaral1l

l1ltaral1l

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Jul 16, 2019
694
Walnutport, PA
Pool Size
20000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Turbo Cell (T-CELL-5)
Hi all!

Soon after opening in March, we had a leak in one of the connections from our heater. A friend of my husbands (who works in inground pool construction) came and repaired it. Ever since then, I cannot seem to figure out the correct schedule / rpm. Our pump is new as of mid season last (we had a SS). The company we used to install the new pump set the schedule last year.

Some important things to note:
-the pool has heavy use from dogs 3-4 days a week. There is a lot of dirt and hair in it.
-heavy use from kids 2-3 days a week (more once it gets warmer)

I’ve had to backwash more since opening that I ever remember. It’s almost like every day on the heavy use days.

When the pump is on program 2/3, I can’t see any movement on the pool surface or in the skimmer baskets. Many times, the SWCG says no flow. Even at program 1, the pressure seems to rise so quickly and then will also cause no flow to the SWCG and the heater (when it’s on).


Is it my program and settings? Could it be that not enough DE was added at opening? Another issue that I’m not thinking of?

Is my pool just a extra dirty and having DE makes it normal for me to backwash so much?

Also, since the plumbing repair was completed, these this pipe touches the SWCG. Issue?

Thanks for hearing my rambling…and any suggestions!
 

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I looked at your Pool Math logs but the last test data was a year ago.
Can you post a current set of test data? Also post a picture of your pool.

Adding too much DE can cause the filter to clog more quickly. When backwashing it is recommended to only add 80% of the required amount of DE because during a backwash you rarely can remove all existing DE.

Have you tried to set a schedule. Appears you have a Pentair SuperFlo VST pump. Can you confirm that? Have you downloaded the manual?
 
l1ltaral1l said:
Is my pool just a extra dirty and having DE makes it normal for me to backwash so much?
Click to expand...
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. It could be insane bather load *and* algae. 95% of the time fast filter cycles are alage issues and not mechanical. But they aren't running doggy day cares either, so there is that. Lol.

Lower flow from fast filter cycles seems to be shutting off the SWG so run the overnight test and report back.


l1ltaral1l said:
When the pump is on program 2/3, I can’t see any movement on the pool surface or in the skimmer baskets.
Click to expand...
Surface movement fluctuates with water height. Say, we got clobbered the last few days with rain, the jets weren't adjusted accordingly and you won't see movement until some evaporates or you drain what got added.

Skimmer baskets rarely see movemt when its set low. Make sure the weir door is bobbing away, and you're skimming. But dont stand there to watch. It can sense that and will play with you because it is bored.
 
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l1ltaral1l said:
Is my pool just a extra dirty and having DE makes it normal for me to backwash so much?
Click to expand...
l1,

None of what you report sounds like a filter issue or pump schedule issue to me...

If you have to backwash, or clean, a DE filter often, then something is clogging it up.

The most likely cause is algae, even if you can't see it yet...

If I were in your shoes, I would perform an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test or OCLT.. Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

Just for reference... Until recently I had two rent house pools with DE filter.. I never backwashed and just opened and cleaned the filter every 6 month... The point being, that your problem is not the filter or your pump schedule.

Show us your test data..

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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For anyone new to the story, when Tara says she has heavy use from dogs, she ain't kiddin. The rest of us think 'oh, well MY dog loves to swim too', but we are not on the same planet, muchless the same level. :ROFLMAO:


Screenshot_20250507_100409_Chrome.jpg

But it was all working without too much effort previously so something new is going on.

Also for anyone new, step one is always the overnight test, even with clear water. The testing and filter will catch it long before you can see the algae bloom.
 
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Oh my gosh…I’m embarrassed to say this here…didn’t even think about algae in the filter! Ooooofff.

Ok, off to do the OCLT. Haven’t done one of those in a long time🤪We did forget to add algaecide in at closing last fall and opened to some this spring. But I brushed and vac’d and added LC and it looked good. Didn’t give it much thought after that. But with the SWCG not running until recently (due to temps) and me not adding CYA and likely not adding enough LC because it ‘looked’ good…yeah. It’s me. I’m the problem!

Thanks all - will keep everyone posted!!
 
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Tara do you guys bus the dogs ?

The Mrs is obsessed with dog day care busses. I mean. I dont complain one bit when she shows me 9 new IG vids at dinner. Not one iota. Its often the highlight of my day too.
 
Newdude said:
Tara do you guys bus the dogs ?

The Mrs is obsessed with dog day care busses. I mean. I dont complain one bit when she shows me 9 new IG vids at dinner. Not one iota. Its often the highlight of my day too.
Click to expand...
Hahahaha. I love them also! But I don’t bus. The transport regs are a bit odd in PA for that…and it’s only me. It’s def in the back of my head for of if I expand though!
 
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