Hello all, made a post last year looking for help, managed to get my pool squared away last year, but I think it was luck. Same problems I had are reoccurring again this year so here I am. This may be a long post so I’m gonna put the main 2 questions here close to the top. And I’ll provide the background to it after.
Here’s the main questions, do you think the idea of running a cartridge filter inline with a DE filter will work well? I’m currently Having issues with the de filter clogging very quickly due to algae growth, and have changed out de media several times.(in the process of correcting the algae growth as well, see below in the pool background)
My thoughts are the cartridge filter can catch most of the big stuff before heading to the DE filter, where the DE will finish polishing the water and slow the DE from clogging so quickly. I already have all the items to put into use, so it wouldn’t cost me anything to do. This may just be a temporary setup as well. Once water is clean and adjusted properly, the need for 2 filters will most likely be unnecessary.
It’s a 1HP pump, providing 75 GPM, currently coupled to a Hayward EC-40, but was originally mated to a 150sqft cartridge filter.
The other question was in regards to the slam method. Should I be adding CYA and adjusting my ph and alkalinity prior to chlorine? What order should I be doing it in? Should I be adding CYA first , then adjust alkalinity and then ph? Should I be waiting a certain amount of time between additions of certain chemicals? And how often should I be rechecking chlorine levels? During and after the slam method? I’m going to retest once the Taylor kit is here, but current dip strips say all levels are low, and I have a feeling it’s probably right.
Here’s the background of the pool. Moved into the house just about 2 years ago now; had a 21ft above ground installed last year. Started with a 150sqft dohenys cartridge filter with 1HP pump. Got frustrated by having to swap and clean filters, so moved to a DE filter this year. My water balancing regimen was nearly non existent. I added cya periodically and just kept adding chlorine mostly blind, guided only by weekly dip strip tests. This method worked well for the 15ft pool that I used to have at the old house, with no tree growth over it. Now I’m dealing with almost twice the water and a large tulip tree near the pool that likes to rain down sap and leaves into the pool, and it’s become obvious that this method isn’t working. To correct this I have a Taylor K2006 test kit coming so I can accurately slam the pool, and the appropriate products to adjust ph, cya, and alkalinity. I know lack of chlorine and inaccurate and lack of water testing is ultimately what led me here, but as stated above, I’m burning through DE and finding that I have to regenerate the filter every 20 minutes or so, which is impractical when I’m at work throughout the week and unable to check it until I’m home after work.
Here’s the main questions, do you think the idea of running a cartridge filter inline with a DE filter will work well? I’m currently Having issues with the de filter clogging very quickly due to algae growth, and have changed out de media several times.(in the process of correcting the algae growth as well, see below in the pool background)
My thoughts are the cartridge filter can catch most of the big stuff before heading to the DE filter, where the DE will finish polishing the water and slow the DE from clogging so quickly. I already have all the items to put into use, so it wouldn’t cost me anything to do. This may just be a temporary setup as well. Once water is clean and adjusted properly, the need for 2 filters will most likely be unnecessary.
It’s a 1HP pump, providing 75 GPM, currently coupled to a Hayward EC-40, but was originally mated to a 150sqft cartridge filter.
The other question was in regards to the slam method. Should I be adding CYA and adjusting my ph and alkalinity prior to chlorine? What order should I be doing it in? Should I be adding CYA first , then adjust alkalinity and then ph? Should I be waiting a certain amount of time between additions of certain chemicals? And how often should I be rechecking chlorine levels? During and after the slam method? I’m going to retest once the Taylor kit is here, but current dip strips say all levels are low, and I have a feeling it’s probably right.
Here’s the background of the pool. Moved into the house just about 2 years ago now; had a 21ft above ground installed last year. Started with a 150sqft dohenys cartridge filter with 1HP pump. Got frustrated by having to swap and clean filters, so moved to a DE filter this year. My water balancing regimen was nearly non existent. I added cya periodically and just kept adding chlorine mostly blind, guided only by weekly dip strip tests. This method worked well for the 15ft pool that I used to have at the old house, with no tree growth over it. Now I’m dealing with almost twice the water and a large tulip tree near the pool that likes to rain down sap and leaves into the pool, and it’s become obvious that this method isn’t working. To correct this I have a Taylor K2006 test kit coming so I can accurately slam the pool, and the appropriate products to adjust ph, cya, and alkalinity. I know lack of chlorine and inaccurate and lack of water testing is ultimately what led me here, but as stated above, I’m burning through DE and finding that I have to regenerate the filter every 20 minutes or so, which is impractical when I’m at work throughout the week and unable to check it until I’m home after work.
This 
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