Hi all, new to pools and new to forum. I have a cloudy water problem that is a residual from an algae problem a few weeks back. Basically, my ex-pool tech believes that the cloudy problem is due to my cartridge filter being clogged due to dealing with an algae bloom, I disagree and most I have talked to also disagree. Interested in opinions from this group:
Here are the details:
Old sand filter (came with the house) died. Replaced with brand new Pentair Clean and Clear plus 420. Replacement took about a week and weather was very hot and so the pool went green and slimy.
Filter replaced, pool shocked, vacuumed,scrubed etc. Ran new filter for 48 hours straight Cartridges removed and backwashed with hose (light pressure) and soaked in muriatic acid for 24 hours after algae.
Within a week of fixing it the pool went very cloudy. Chemistry identified low Chlorine and also a problem with low TA and high PH. Addressing all issues in a cycle ( adding Muriatic, adding baking soda, shocking - retesting). Also, we have very high CYA and until I can get the FC up to 10ppm I don't think we will see a change in water quality. Phosphates are high but will deal with that once I get chlorine right. I cannot drain my pool due to water restrictions so will need to maintain the FC at high levels until the winter.
However, my (ex) pool tech keeps telling me that the problem is the cartridges in the new filter are shot due to processing the algae build up. I took the cartirdges out, they are still practically white, have a little slime on the film but nothing significant. Nothing like what I see on these forums.
So - should I go spend $300 to get new cartridges to replace these brand new ones (we are talking three to four weeks old) or is the chemistry problem the place to focus? On one hand, I can always use the cartidges later, but I would rather not part with the $300 right now.
Here are the details:
Old sand filter (came with the house) died. Replaced with brand new Pentair Clean and Clear plus 420. Replacement took about a week and weather was very hot and so the pool went green and slimy.
Filter replaced, pool shocked, vacuumed,scrubed etc. Ran new filter for 48 hours straight Cartridges removed and backwashed with hose (light pressure) and soaked in muriatic acid for 24 hours after algae.
Within a week of fixing it the pool went very cloudy. Chemistry identified low Chlorine and also a problem with low TA and high PH. Addressing all issues in a cycle ( adding Muriatic, adding baking soda, shocking - retesting). Also, we have very high CYA and until I can get the FC up to 10ppm I don't think we will see a change in water quality. Phosphates are high but will deal with that once I get chlorine right. I cannot drain my pool due to water restrictions so will need to maintain the FC at high levels until the winter.
However, my (ex) pool tech keeps telling me that the problem is the cartridges in the new filter are shot due to processing the algae build up. I took the cartirdges out, they are still practically white, have a little slime on the film but nothing significant. Nothing like what I see on these forums.
So - should I go spend $300 to get new cartridges to replace these brand new ones (we are talking three to four weeks old) or is the chemistry problem the place to focus? On one hand, I can always use the cartidges later, but I would rather not part with the $300 right now.