Confusing problem with spa jets/blowers

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bksbeat

Well-known member
Jun 20, 2017
81
Sarasota, Florida
Okay, I am no expert so I will try and describe this issue has accurately as I can:
I have a inground pool with a half moon spa where (when the filter is running) the water from the spa flows over into the pool. This process, in many ways, is how water circulates and the effectiveness of the water flow into the pool. The spa has 3 blowers/jets, yet when the filter is on it is one of those jets/blowers were the water is coming thru that feeds the spa and in turn the pool. Water normally flows pretty strongly thru this jet/blower. Over the last few weeks, when the filter comes down, the flow initially out of this jet/blower is strong as normal, but after a few minutes, the water strength coming thru gets weaker and after 10-15 minutes nothing is coming thru? Of course, this is impacting my ability to clean/filter my pool, which is looking pretty terrible lately even though I have been shocking like crazy. Now, a few things to consider:

1. We have alot of rain lately in Florida so my pool & spa levels of very high?
2. I have been cleaning my filter cartridge lately (thinking this might the problem as I am pretty sure in the past, having a dirty cartridge has impacted the water strength coming thru). However, a clean filter does not seem to make any difference. The cartridge itself is not looking too great lately, but not sure if a faulty/torn cartridge would cause this issue?
3. As I had mentioned earlier the pool is not looking great (pretty green) and because I have no water feeding into the pool for the bulk of the time the filter is running, I guess, shocking is not going to do much with no water circulating in the pool?

Your thoughts will be much appreciated
Regards, Gary
 
Having a torn or damaged filter could cause your issue. Consider removing the filter and start the pool back up. If the issue goes away you know what the problem is.

Now on to the green water. Do you have a test kit? Does it accurately measure CYA and Free Chlorine? You will need to start a SLAM to get the water cleared up. The shock level you need to maintain depends on your CYA, CYA/FC chart
 
Thank you. I will do that test this evening re. filter

I have been feeding the pool with alot of liquid chlorine & shock of late but too no avail. I only have those test strips - guess I need to get myself a proper test kit as those strips dont seem to help me much?
 
What is the main difference between the test kit and the test strips. For a novice like me, I never seem to know much and what to get after I have used the strips.
I presume using a test kit, it is more accurate and one would have a better idea in exactly what you need?
Another option is to take a water sample to a pool store, but I have done that before, and it does not always work and can be costlyhe

Also, (sorry for all the questions) can you recommend a type of test kit I should get, as looking online, there seems to be many kinds
 
Yes, much more accurate. Every test is repeatable and not subject to "what shade of purple/pink is that?" The only one that takes a while to get down is the CYA test, after 4 or 5 tests you'll figure it out.

Pool store tests are not to be trusted. They are in business to make money.
 
You were bang on re. filter - I took the cartridge out and it is running on full throttle - I just ordered online a new cartridge, should be here later this week.

Now for the bad news - As I had mentioned, I had a few test strip lying around the house, so I just tested the water.
free chlorine was very low
ph level was a little low
cyanuric acid was low
total alkanline level was ok

I guess I still should get a proper test kit but any recommendation what I should get to help the above - Of course, I wont do anything until the cartridge arrives

** Just bought [h=4]NEW Taylor K-1004 Trouble Shooter Complete Swimming Pool Spa DPD 5 Way Test Kit[/h]
Thanks, Gary
 
You can still use pool math to add chlorine to the pool, aim for 5ppm, 10 at the highest. I'd hate for it to turn on you while your waiting for a test kit.

When you get a chance add your pool info to your signature, it makes things easier on the people answering your questions. Good luck!
 

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If someone can recommend what we need as per these results that would be much appreciated. Our new cartridge filter is arriving tomorrow so not sure if I should be apply chemicals before this arrives or wait till put in the new filter. The pool is green (as per message above). I received the Taylor k-1004 test kit yesterday and just ran our first test using this kit, here are the results:

ppm free chlorine - 0.5
ppm total chlorine - 1
ppm combined chlorine - 0.5

ph level - 7.5
Total Alkaline - required 8 drops to turn red, i.e. 80 ppm total alkalinity

Pool is 15000 gal. If I have it right our big issue is our chlorine levels. The frustrating thing is I have been shocking the pool and feeding chlorine quite abit lately and it does not seem to do anything over the last few weeks re. getting rid of the green. It also has been raining here alot which I guess does not help.

If someone can suggest what to get and what process to follow that will be much appreciated.
I plan to go tomorrow to the store and get what is required and when the filter arrives tomorrow afternoon, get to work
Thanks, Gary
 
I have not put any Cyanuric acid in the pool, as yet. I am pretty much following the SLAM procedure and we will see how it goes.
I have been running it for about 3 hours now - not alot of change but it seems to be less green and more cloudy green (lighter green). In a few hours I iwll stop the filter, cl4ean the cartridge and feed some more chlorine and then run it overnight. I also bought some new tablets that I have now in the dispenser that is suppose to help with algae.. Unfortunately that Taylor kit I bought does not test for CYA so I am not sure how I am suppose to determine that. I can test my free chlorine level with that kit. I spent quite a lot of money on this today, so if this does not work I am probably going to get a pool guy to work on it as I cannot keep on throwing money at this.
 
Here is a CYA test kit.

I would bring the pool up to 10ppm FC and maintain that until you know what your CYA is.

Please check out Pool school at the top of this page and the ABC's of pool water chemistry. Those pucks are part of the green water problem you have. They continuously add CYA to you water, ultimately making your FC ineffective at any level.

FYI, I'm spending about $20 a month on my pool chemicals.
 
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