Day 3 with my green pool

[phyllis]

Figuring out how much DE to use:
1. Start by noting the PSI reading on the filter with the pump running.
2. Mix 1/4 cup of DE with water in a bucket and pour that slowly into the skimmer. Remove the skimmer sock, if any, before adding DE.
3. Give the system about two minutes to stabilize.
4. Note the pressure on the filter and repeat the second and third steps until the pressure has gone up by one PSI. This will typically take around 1-2 cups of DE.

What if your gauge doesn't work??? We have been through several gauges and they never last long!!!

 

[jblizzle]

Get a better liquid filled gauge:
liquid-filled-pressure-gauge-inexpensive-8-19-3-26-13-t54701.html?hilit=liquid%20gauge

 

[techguy]

Wal-Mart in my areas sells DE in a box called "Filter Aid", its the HTH brand, normally.

 

[phyllis]

My local pool store gave me a couple cups of DE......so I will start by adding the 1/4 cup but how will i know when to add more??? Will look into purchasing that better gauge. I really don't want to burn up my pump .

 

[Richard320]

My local pool store gave me a couple cups of DE......so I will start by adding the 1/4 cup but how will i know when to add more??? Will look into purchasing that better gauge. I really don't want to burn up my pump .

When the returns start to slow down (since you have no gauge, this is really crude) you need to backwash. That will remove the DE. You add more then.

 

[jblizzle]

And how do you know when the pressure has risen 20-25% telling you that you need to backwash?

As Richard said, you can sort of get by on feeling the flow, but if it drops a lot that is likely well past when we would normally be suggesting a cleaning.

 

[phyllis]

got it!!! thanks guys!!!!!! I couldn't do this without you!!! lol

 

[techguy]

One trick I used was to create a fountain with my return water. I used a hose to aim the water out of the water and it makes a big arc of water. when the arc gets smaller, you know you are getting plugged up.

It also works if you have a fountain like this

 

[phyllis]

Can you shock with tablets???? I am out of bleach today.

 

[jblizzle]

No. They do not add the FC fast enough and they also add CYA.

Have you been following the shock process for the last 2 weeks?

 

[phyllis]

I got it all crystal clear a couple of weeks ago and was able to quit shocking (according to the 3-step rule). Been doing great but I ran out of bleach this week and I have some tablets. It is ok that it adds some CYA because now I know how to test and watch it not to get too high. We have had 12-15 inches of rain over the last couple of weeks so I can't keep my CYA level up right now anyway and the tablets will probably help with that. I'm kinda crippled up a little bit right now and can't keep carrying the bleach bottles so I am treating with tablets until things get better.

I will try to pick up some bleach this weekend but it needs chlorine NOW.

My CYA was 50 when I got the pool cleared up but is back down to 30.

 

[Richard320]

I got it all crystal clear a couple of weeks ago and was able to quit shocking (according to the 3-step rule). Been doing great but I ran out of bleach this week and I have some tablets. It is ok that it adds some CYA because now I know how to test and watch it not to get too high. We have had 12-15 inches of rain over the last couple of weeks so I can't keep my CYA level up right now anyway and the tablets will probably help with that. I'm kinda crippled up a little bit right now and can't keep carrying the bleach bottles so I am treating with tablets until things get better.

I will try to pick up some bleach this weekend but it needs chlorine NOW.

My CYA was 50 when I got the pool cleared up but is back down to 30.

Yes, using trichlor pucks to replace some lost CYA is fine.

 

[Butterfly]

Yeah, go ahead and use your tabs. Keep track of how many you use and how much CYA is added.

 

[jblizzle]

Well then feel free to use the puck if you understand what they do now.

The confusion was with your statement: "Can you shock with tablets????" You are not "shocking" you are just looking to maintain the recommended FC levels.

 

[phyllis]

no. I do need to shock... with all the rain I have a cloudy pool

 

[jblizzle]

Oh. Then no you can not go through the shock process only using tablets ... use bleach.

 

[phyllis]

just got back from walmart.
shocking with bleach now.

 

[Sulteric]

I have an auto chlorinator and have not had a CYA level issue as of yet and this is my fourth year with the pool.

I also don't use test kits and I've gotten to crystal clear water ever year without any issues (yes I use strips ). I had a green pool only one year when I was opening it due to my own stupidity but a routine of shocking, filtering and back washing cleared it right up.

 

[Richard320]

I have an auto chlorinator and have not had a CYA level issue as of yet and this is my fourth year with the pool.

I also don't use test kits and I've gotten to crystal clear water ever year without any issues (yes I use strips ). I had a green pool only one year when I was opening it due to my own stupidity but a routine of shocking, filtering and back washing cleared it right up.

The operative word there is "yet."

And you can't really say you don't have a CYA level issue if you don't test. That's like saying your blood pressure is great when you haven't been to a doctor in four years. All you can claim is that you're unaware of a problem.

If I was you, I'd go buy a lottery ticket, because you're uncommonly lucky.

 

[Sulteric]

I know roughly what my CYA level is. So far it's not an issue. I drain it down to level for winter every year and refill it with naturally soft water (yes, I am lucky). It works and I'm not screwing with it. If I do ever have an issue I know the kit to get. :-D