Cartridge filter woes

May 20, 2017
18
Lincoln, NE
We switched to a cartridge filter last year...we live in the country near a corn/bean field, and we had to clean the filter every 7-10 days....just opened the pool this year, started pump, pressure at 10. Added metal remover; pressure imncreased to 15 overnight...we haven't even vacuumed yet...are we doing something wrong?
 
Hello and welcome to TFP! :wave: First thing's first .. can you post a full set of test results from your TF-100 or Taylor K-2006C? That would be step one. I too have a cartridge filter and live in the country. Lots of corn husks and dust get in our pool. Why did you add the metal remover? Are you on a well or something? Do you have a skimmer sock (net) in your poolside skimmer(s) to help catch the small stuff? It helps tremendously in our pool.

Nice to have you with us.
 
Thanks for the quick response! My full signature didn't post for some reason������. Yes. We are on well water with very high iron (buildings turn orange if water gets too close). I am in the process of breaking up with the pool store, as they have completely cheesed my toast! So, I just ordered my testing kit, but I did a strip test this morning and pH is at 7, and TA WAS about 100 this morning following a gallon of MA and a bag of triclor. We do not have a skimmer sock, but sounds like a great idea!
 
Your test results indicate what we might have suspected - an algae bloom on its way. With a CYA of 60, maybe 70, your ideal FC range is around 8-9, and never below 5. So right away the potential for algae is there, even if you don't see lots of green. You have an elevated CC level as well which points to algae. You are a prime candidate to start a "SLAM" (link below). Your pH is already in a low position, so if I were you, I'd increase the FC to "24" and follow all the instructions on the SLAM page. If you believe your CYA to be closer to 70, then increase the FC to "28". Make sure to follow all the guidance on the SLAM instructions and don't stop until you pass all 3 SLAM criteria. Good luck!
 
CYA is zero? If so, you'll want stabilizer in there right away. You never want pool water with no CYA protection. The bleach is quite strong on everything with no CYA protection. You can pick-up granular stabilizer from Wal-Mart or the big box store pool section. Use the sock method and shoot for a CYA target of 30. Adjust your FC to "12" and continue with the SLAM. Be as consistent as you can with the FC SLAM level. Don't worry about testing anything other than FC & CC until after the SLAM. Let the bleach do its thing and your pool will be on its way to recovery.
 
Okay. Got the stabilizer in. FC is 13 with no CC.
Perfect! :goodjob: Now simply do your best to maintain an FC of about 12 and don't forget to give the pool a good scrubbing each day. Rinse the filter as needed as it should begin to collect a fair amount of dead algae causing the psi to increase a bit. Once the water is nice & clear and FC consumptions slows, and CC are about non-existent, you could be ready for an overnight (OCLT) test.
 

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