CYA about 200, need help on draining pool

[Gex]

Hi, my CYA is about 200 based on the black dot test that I did and I want to drain my pool asap. Yes, I got "pool stored" by LPS and bought a bunch of 3" tabs, but I got them at Sam's club because they were much cheaper

That was 3 months ago, and I've been testing levels myself

I understand I shouldn't drain the entire pool, and to leave at least a foot in the shallow end. By my calculations, I need to drain 80% of the pool

I did see a blue hose coming out of a yard down the street to where I live, so I suppose that's what I have to do somehow

Attached is a pic of the pipes connected to my pool pump with the labels 'main drain', 'cleaner' and 'skimmer'.. .not sure what that all means and how to change the function

Is it best I just hire someone to drain the pool?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Gex,

We really need a picture of your filter and any valves that might be attached. The type of valve/filter you have will make difference on what you will need to do.

Jim R.

 

[Texas Splash]

Gex, welcome to TFP! As Jim noted, a pic of your filter will clue us in on how to best drain your water. Also, now would be a good time to please add your pool info to your signature by going to the top of the TFP web page (just under the Pool School button) and select "SETTINGS". On the next page look to the left for a menu bar that says, “MY SETTINGS” and go to "EDIT SIGNATURE" to enter your pool and equipment info there. It will help us later. This link may also help you: Pool School - Read This BEFORE You Post. Nice to have you join us.

 

[cowboycasey]

Welcome, We will get you going

 

[pooldv]

Welcome to TFP!

 

[Gex]

Gex,

We really need a picture of your filter and any valves that might be attached. The type of valve/filter you have will make difference on what you will need to do.

Jim R.

pictures of filter attached. i have an aqua pro, apf200pro

 

[jblizzle]

That looks like a cartridge filter which does not have a waste/backwash line. So you would either have to take the lid off the filter and run the pump suction from only the floor and flood your backyard, or you will need to buy/rent a submersible pump with hose and pump out the water to a more desired location.

 

[Gex]

another pic of filter and pump

- - - Updated - - -

That looks like a cartridge filter which does not have a waste/backwash line. So you would either have to take the lid off the filter and run the pump suction from only the floor and flood your backyard, or you will need to buy/rent a submersible pump with hose and pump out the water to a more desired location.

thanks, i think i will just hire someone to do that, since i don't know exactly what tools i need to rent and the submersible pump sounds expensive

i'm guessing a pool guy would charge me $100 for a service like that?

 

[jblizzle]

You can rent a pump with all the hose you want from Home Depot for around $40 I think. Or for a similar price, buy a smaller one from Harbor Freight, it will take a lot longer to drain though.

 

[kimkats]

This IS something you can do yourself.......these guys will get you going.

Kim

 

[proavia]

The following may work....

Turn all suction to main drain, then hook a hose to the spigot above the pump and run to selected drain location. Turn pump on and open spigot. Will take a long time that way too - and will need to be monitored to prevent pump running dry.

 

[Chris19D]

I'd do as jbizzle mentioned and buy or rent an electric submersible pump and pump it to a safe location. Or do a combo submersible / the instructions proavia mentioned in the post above.

 

[Gex]

You can rent a pump with all the hose you want from Home Depot for around $40 I think. Or for a similar price, buy a smaller one from Harbor Freight, it will take a lot longer to drain though.

any specific submersible pump?

i see a 3/4 HP stainless steel on harbor freight for $60

and a 1/3 HP thermoplastic on amazon for $53, that can work with a 1-1/4" trash hose (costs as much as the pump)

i figure i should buy one since i can reuse it as often as needed

 

[cowboycasey]

The 3/4 hp from harbor freight will do you just fine for as much as you will need it

 

[bakerboy]

Correct me if Im wrong, but as proavia mentioned earlier, you can drain your pool from this pipe circled without renting or buying anything:



You could even remove the spigot to allow a higher water flow!!!!

 

[jblizzle]

That is true, since they can isolate the floor drain. If you stop the pump after draining some, you might lose prime.

 

[Richard320]

Correct me if Im wrong, but as proavia mentioned earlier, you can drain your pool from this pipe circled without renting or buying anything:
View attachment 46332


You could even remove the spigot to allow a higher water flow!!!!

Indeed. My thought is a quick trip to Lowes or Home Depot for a larger fitting and a backwash hose.
Shop Aqua EZ Hose Adapter at Lowes.com
Shop Aqua EZ Hose at Lowes.com

 

[XSurfX]

Why not just put a hose or 2 on the pool and siphon it out? Easy and cheap.

 

[jblizzle]

Why not just put a hose or 2 on the pool and siphon it out? Easy and cheap.

Great if you can. But, there is not typically land that is feet below water level near the pool to allow that to work for in ground pools.

 

[XSurfX]

Great if you can. But, there is not typically land that is feet below water level near the pool to allow that to work for in ground pools.

I ghettovaccumed some sand yesterday, suction end was 7' below waste end. Water level-->bucket was maybe 12" difference.

My hose defies gravity. And can someone please make a pockethose (the shrinking kind) that doesn't self destruct?


Gex, did you correct your CYA?