Algae outbreak before closing - Clean it now, or wait and clean it in the Spring?

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Hi all, just an update: My pool still looks the same (blue, but cloudy), but today I got the DE and added some to the filter. I added it per the instructions on this site to raise it 1 PSI. When I came back 30 mins later it was fully clogged. I backwashed some, and the pressure was still a little high so it ran for another hour or so and then it was clogged again. I'll continue adding DE, but it's kind of a pain in the butt and now it's dark out, so that will have to wait for tomorrow.

My question is this: I've been running the filter 24x7 for the last 7 days. Would it be okay to turn it off tonight, and see if the "particulates" floating in the water would settle to the bottom so that I could vacuum them up tomorrow?

Thanks!
Heygreene
 
BattleOfYakima said:
How did the backwash water look?
Click to expand...

It was just white. However, I think I added way too much DE based off of the recommendations from TFP.com (Pool School - Add DE to a Sand Filter), which calls to add it every 2 minutes until the PSI goes up 1. However, most all other sites and even posts on here state to add it every 20 minutes, not 2 minutes. I think that may need to be adjusted on the sticky.

The long and short of it is, once I came back out, I'd put too much in and it clogged up in just a few minutes. After I backwashed it was back down to normal, so I added 1/4 cup last night and it went back up 2.5 PSI and seemed to clog it again within just a few minutes (but with no clearing in the pool). I'm going to go very "light" on the DE today and see what happens.
 
I still say it is too early to be using DE. DE is usually not added until the tail end of a SLAM, when the water is almost clear.

As you can see, the finer filtration of the DE is going to require multiple backwashing because of all the particulates in the water.
 
You can definitely space the DE additions to slowly creep up to a 1psi rise. No race there.

If after playing with it, you decide domct203 is right and you should wait another few days/until it gets clearer, no harm there, just save the DE for use then. All good.
 
So I let the pool sit last night without being turned on. I woke up this morning and it's exactly the same... hazy/cloudy/blue. I've been at this "stage" for around 5 days now. I'm okay with that, but my problem is I'm leaving to go out of town on Friday, and I'll be gone for 10 days. Therefore, I'll need to close the pool by Thursday.

What are your thoughts on performing a normal closing process with it this cloudy, if it doesn't clear before Friday? I don't think I'll have much of a choice if things don't clear up by then.
 
My biggest concern is what is in the water collecting on the bottom of the pool as it settles. That can help algae grow again. I would love to see it as clear as they can get it. It is up to them as they are the ones that will have deal with it when they goes to open it in the Spring.

Kim:kim:
 

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Update time... and finally a good one!!!! :)

Friday, Saturday, Sunday = Adding DE at random intervals, either seeing too high of a jump in PSI or none at all.
Monday = Gave up on adding more DE... backwashed, added 1/8 of a cup of DE, saw it increase maybe 1/2 PSI and forgot about it. Added in a little bit of clarifier (I know, I know... I fully expect to get ridiculed for this :) )
Tuesday = Clearer... I could see the bottom of the pool but it was still hazy
Wednesday (today) = Crystal clear!

I believe my inexperience with the DE probably prolonged this, but I believe between the DE and the clarifier "gumming up" the sand filter, it cleaned everything out.

Added bonus: All other chemical levels have now settled down and are back to normal ranges. :)

A BIG thank you to everyone who chimed in! I can now close the pool this week with peace of mind and go on vacation! Yeahhhhh!!!
 
Great that it all worked out.

Now - after the use of the clarifier -- you may want to do a Deep Clean on your sand filter. Before it gets really gummed up ......

Take care.
 
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