Changed sand, but caused more problems...

[bjohnson97]

Last year we had issues with keeping the water clear, so we decided to change the sand. We moved in to the house 4 years ago and not sure when the last time it was done. The filter is missing the label, but we estimated that it needed around 300lb of sand based on what we took out of it. Everything was fine for a few hours until...

• Noticed a small hole in the filter near the top.
• Water was also leaking a little between valve and filter.
• Water dripping around top cover of valve, something we didn't even take apart...

Maybe too much pressure on the filter?

What happens over time too is that the pump basket will drop to around the middle and result in air bubbles coming out of the returns. Only have this problem with valve is set to filter, recirculate is fine. A backwash seems to make things better again, but only for a short amount of time (like an hour). Still in the processing of trying to clear up the pool, but this is sure making it difficult. Any ideas or suggestions?

 

[Richard320]

• Noticed a small hole in the filter near the top.

• Stop right there. If there is a hole in the tank, it's junk. replace it before it blows and hurts someone. It'll make a huge mess when it goes, too. Your pump can put out like a firehose with no restrictions.
  

  [*]Water was also leaking a little between valve and filter.
  [*]Water dripping around top cover of valve, something we didn't even take apart...

Maybe too much pressure on the filter?

That would be a good guess. A lot of crud in the water will load up a filter in a hurry. These two leaks are likely just old hardened O-rings. But sincve the whole filyer is junk, there's no point trying to replace them.

What happens over time too is that the pump basket will drop to around the middle and result in air bubbles coming out of the returns. Only have this problem with valve is set to filter, recirculate is fine. A backwash seems to make things better again, but only for a short amount of time (like an hour). Still in the processing of trying to clear up the pool, but this is sure making it difficult. Any ideas or suggestions?

Replace the filter.

 

[mariane]

A couple of years ago we tried to patch a cracked filter housing. Not a good idea and it did not work. So we replaced it. We bought a replacement filter on Craig's list which also included the regulator, valves, hoses, caps and sand, all for the price it would cost to replace just the housing from Doughboy. Something to consider.

 

[bjohnson97]

Looked closer and I believe the tank might be ok. I don’t think it’s a hole but just water dripping from around where the valve and filter meet. Bought a new o-ring and going to try again. Backwashed today but only ran for an hour before the water level dropped in the pump basket again.

 

[mariane]

We have a leak in our system but the water level never drops enough to effect the pump. You must be loosing a lot of water for the level to drop that quickly. Hope the o-ring works. If not, you are loosing it from somewhere else.

 

[bjohnson97]

Well that didn’t work so I guess time for a new filter. I measured and it looks like it has a 21 inch. Seems a little small for a pool with about 25,000 gallons. Any suggestions? Would a 24 be a better option?

 

[Donldson]

Generally the larger the filter the better. The less pressure pushing through a filter the better it filters and less backwashing is a nice bonus.