We have an inground pool in Florida, no screen-enclosure. I measure the pool and did the math, came up with 12,000 gallons.
BACKGROUND
We inherited the pool and pump when we bought the house 3 years ago. We know nothing about its history. It seemed to work well for a couple years.
This spring we started to have some problems with algae. And the pump seemed to get weaker and louder. When we ran the pump witout a filter, the guage read 20. With a clean filer, it ran 25. A few days later, 30. Also, when we start the pump, the side intake stream was pretty strong. But 15 minutes later it was weak. We bought a new filter. Still a weak stream and high pressure reading. Soaked the filter in the filter cleaner overnight. Still a weak stream and high pressure reading. Took the filter back and they replaced it. Still a weak stream and high pressure reading. Took the pump and did not find any debris or damage to the impeller.
But then a few months ago, I found the pump running with the water very low in the filter basket and the water essentially boiling temperature. I don't know how long it was running hot, but I know that could have warped the plastic.
Then this summer, possibly due to record-breaking heat, the algae got worse.
With a lot of chemicals, we seemed to get it under control.
Then, last week, the algae came back. I Wwent to Leslie's, bought algaecide and 6 bags of shock. Put in the algaecide, then a little later, 2 bags of shock. 12 hours later, another 2 bags. 12 hours later, the last two bags. Pool was still a little murky. Planned on getting the Clear Aid the next morning to get rid of the murk. But the next day, it was all green. My wife said all those chemicals aren't going to do much if our water flow was low. So she decided it was time to buy a new motor.
THE MOTOR
So we bought a new Hayward filter online for $189. Same HP as the old pump, 1.5. I installed the pump yesterday. Now the guage on the filter reads 14. And it IS running much quieter than the old pump.
However, there are a few problems.
The filter basket container will only fill up halfway. I've filled the basket enclosure to the top before putting on the lid. I put sealant on the o-ring. I've bled out the air on the big filer. But the filter basket container will only fill up halfway. Although, the water line is still higher than the hole at the bottom, so the pump is NOT drawing in any air.
I've looked for leaks. The same happens whether I only draw from the skimmer and when I evenly draw from the skimmer and the bottom drain. When I do draw from the skimmer, and I put my hand on the hole at the bottom of the skimmer, there is suction. Just not a lot.
Thinking there is some air in the pipes between the skimmer and the filer, I shot water into it with a hose. It turns out a few things where in the pipe, such as a small plastic cap and the glass thermometer. But the suction is still not that great.
Also, when I switch it to 100% draw from the bottom of the pool, no water comes in. I think there may be some leaves or grass stuck in the drain. I can't see, since the water is green. And I can't dive down with so much chlorine in the water.
Also, there is a water leak (after the pump), where the PVC screws in. I know I need to redo that connection. But I've read a few places that that shouldn't contribute to the lack of suction.
THE ALGAE
I got the water tested yesterday at Leslies. I was told to add some Alkilinity Up, then 4 hourse later a big yellow container of chlorine, then 12 hours later another.
So yesterday, after I installed the pump and started it running with a cleaned filter. I put in the Alkilinity Up. 4 hours later, the chlorine. By then it was 11pm. I let the pump run for 2 hours. But since it was a new install and I didn't want any suprises in the morning, I turned off the pump and went to bed.
In the morning, I checked the pump. Still underperforming. I put in the second big container of chlorine.
WE ARE CALLING A SERVICE PERSON TOMORROW
But until then,
1. Does anyone here have any thoughts?
2. Is still good to fill the pool with chlorine, even though 1) my bottom drain may be clogged, 2) the filter basket well only filling up haflway, 3) have a small leak after the pump, 4) have a medium flow out the side return.
3. Should I redo that connection where the pvc meets the pump (after the pump), which means buying more PVC pipe and elbows and adaptors, or just wait till the service person gets here?
WHAT A FREAKING MONEY PIT!
BACKGROUND
We inherited the pool and pump when we bought the house 3 years ago. We know nothing about its history. It seemed to work well for a couple years.
This spring we started to have some problems with algae. And the pump seemed to get weaker and louder. When we ran the pump witout a filter, the guage read 20. With a clean filer, it ran 25. A few days later, 30. Also, when we start the pump, the side intake stream was pretty strong. But 15 minutes later it was weak. We bought a new filter. Still a weak stream and high pressure reading. Soaked the filter in the filter cleaner overnight. Still a weak stream and high pressure reading. Took the filter back and they replaced it. Still a weak stream and high pressure reading. Took the pump and did not find any debris or damage to the impeller.
But then a few months ago, I found the pump running with the water very low in the filter basket and the water essentially boiling temperature. I don't know how long it was running hot, but I know that could have warped the plastic.
Then this summer, possibly due to record-breaking heat, the algae got worse.
With a lot of chemicals, we seemed to get it under control.
Then, last week, the algae came back. I Wwent to Leslie's, bought algaecide and 6 bags of shock. Put in the algaecide, then a little later, 2 bags of shock. 12 hours later, another 2 bags. 12 hours later, the last two bags. Pool was still a little murky. Planned on getting the Clear Aid the next morning to get rid of the murk. But the next day, it was all green. My wife said all those chemicals aren't going to do much if our water flow was low. So she decided it was time to buy a new motor.
THE MOTOR
So we bought a new Hayward filter online for $189. Same HP as the old pump, 1.5. I installed the pump yesterday. Now the guage on the filter reads 14. And it IS running much quieter than the old pump.
However, there are a few problems.
The filter basket container will only fill up halfway. I've filled the basket enclosure to the top before putting on the lid. I put sealant on the o-ring. I've bled out the air on the big filer. But the filter basket container will only fill up halfway. Although, the water line is still higher than the hole at the bottom, so the pump is NOT drawing in any air.
I've looked for leaks. The same happens whether I only draw from the skimmer and when I evenly draw from the skimmer and the bottom drain. When I do draw from the skimmer, and I put my hand on the hole at the bottom of the skimmer, there is suction. Just not a lot.
Thinking there is some air in the pipes between the skimmer and the filer, I shot water into it with a hose. It turns out a few things where in the pipe, such as a small plastic cap and the glass thermometer. But the suction is still not that great.
Also, when I switch it to 100% draw from the bottom of the pool, no water comes in. I think there may be some leaves or grass stuck in the drain. I can't see, since the water is green. And I can't dive down with so much chlorine in the water.
Also, there is a water leak (after the pump), where the PVC screws in. I know I need to redo that connection. But I've read a few places that that shouldn't contribute to the lack of suction.
THE ALGAE
I got the water tested yesterday at Leslies. I was told to add some Alkilinity Up, then 4 hourse later a big yellow container of chlorine, then 12 hours later another.
So yesterday, after I installed the pump and started it running with a cleaned filter. I put in the Alkilinity Up. 4 hours later, the chlorine. By then it was 11pm. I let the pump run for 2 hours. But since it was a new install and I didn't want any suprises in the morning, I turned off the pump and went to bed.
In the morning, I checked the pump. Still underperforming. I put in the second big container of chlorine.
WE ARE CALLING A SERVICE PERSON TOMORROW
But until then,
1. Does anyone here have any thoughts?
2. Is still good to fill the pool with chlorine, even though 1) my bottom drain may be clogged, 2) the filter basket well only filling up haflway, 3) have a small leak after the pump, 4) have a medium flow out the side return.
3. Should I redo that connection where the pvc meets the pump (after the pump), which means buying more PVC pipe and elbows and adaptors, or just wait till the service person gets here?
WHAT A FREAKING MONEY PIT!
