Never ending dirt battle.

[ccirish]

We live in the desert, and I live near farms. My pool seems to alwasy have dirt in it. I turn the pump on, brush all the dirt to the main drain, and the dirt stirs up in the pool. After I let it sit a minute it seems that the dirt goes back to right where it started. Spread out all over the pool. I can brush this thing all day long, and it doesn't seem like the dirt goes away.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks

 

[duraleigh]

Can you confirm it's dirt or is there a possibility it might be dead algae?

A set of test results will help us get started in analyzing your problem.

Do you vacuum?

 

[257WbyMag]

What duraleigh said.

I see that you have an infloor system but I guess that isn't handling it. Once we prove that it isn't algae, you might need to look at a robot or some type of active cleaner.

 

[ccirish]

It very well may be dead algae. My pool was very swampy two weeks ago and have taken it from green back to blue, this dirt/algae is my last problem.

It was terribad about two weeks ago. I left my pump on for the whole week, adding 5lbs of shock, some muratic acid, and some Algatec.

It cleaned up very clear. My water is at:
FC 4
CC 0
pH 7.4
TA 80
CYA 60

I don't vaccuum because every time I hook it up, it never sucks anything up. I haven't figured out why.

 

[duraleigh]

I don't vaccuum because every time I hook it up, it never sucks anything up. I haven't figured out why.

Yikes!!! Regardless of what the substance turns out to be, your infloor is likely not capable to keep your pool completely clean. I think you will have to vacuum some.

 

[ccirish]

So basically there is too much junk in there to brush clean?

 

[duraleigh]

My experience is restricted to just what is reported on the forum, but it seems like in-floor systems just cant get everything picked up.

I don't know how much junk you have on the floor but I think manually vacuuming is going to be an occaisional thing to keep your pool sparkling.

 

[ccirish]

Sounds good. I guess I better figure out why the vacuum doesn't suck. :-/

Thanks!

 

[JohnT]

Sounds good. I guess I better figure out why the vacuum doesn't suck. :-/

Thanks!

A couple of common reasons for vacuum problems:

You have to fill the hose with water before hooking it up to the skimmer.
You may need to partially close the main drain valve or a second skimmer to get enough flow to the skimmer you are using.

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

Are you priming the vac hose?

 

[ccirish]

Turned out I wasn't priming the hose well enough. I fill it with the garden hose now. I also figured out that if I leave the main drain cracked a lil it vets better results for some reason.

Got all the algae out and have a crystal pool again. Thanks!