DE filter problems using Baquacil

[anthonypool89]

Why does my pressure keep going up like this?

If you get the answer to this one, please let me know. Been living with and fretting over this a good part of last season and now continuing the same way this year again. Water can be (and is) clear, and yet pressure just keeps going up every few days. My starting pressure, after backwashing and hosing off the grids really well is usually around 13 - 14. What's really weird is the level of fluctuation I've been getting the past two years. It can shoot up to 17-18, then a day or two later back down to 14-15, up to 18-19, back down a few psi, etc. until eventually up to 20+ where it's almost time to backwash again or else I start to get a "no flow" indication on the heater. Yesterday I was at 13.5 and right now is just a tad under 18. What sense does that make in less than 24 hours? Could the frequent rains be contributing to it? So far this season it seems we don't go more than a few days without rain. I don't mind working on the filter once a week or so (though would prefer not to) but every 4-5 days is really not something I want to continue doing.

And...sorry.... but I don't accept the idea of it being an algae bloom in the works cause I keep up with adding algicide. Also, someone explain to me why the water would be crystal clear if there is an algae issue? (Also..PLEASE...I kindly ask that there be no comments about converting back to chlorine..since I honestly don't think that has anything to do with it).

John....how does your water typically look both before and after the filter backwashing? I do the same thing you do - never just backwash but take everything apart and hose it off with pressure nozzle. Have you ever tried running the pool without the grids in the filter - just to see what pressure reading you get? Mine is around 10-11. If I go on vacation during summer, I NEVER keep the grids in. Yeah, the water doesn't look great when I get back but it's peace of mind knowing that I can enjoy a trip without wondering if my tank is ready to explode back home!!

Also..how long have you been having this problem? Was there a time when you did not have frequent filter pressure increases? Many people have told me "it's just the filter doing it's job..it's working" and, yeah, I get that but still...PITA to keep tearing it down so often let alone constantly worrying about it. I have my eye on that gauge every day from the time I open the pool till the day I close it.

 

[anthonypool89]

A good test kit can also be used to perform an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test which will diagnose if organics in your water are a problem that demands action, like this solution SLAM Process

Thanks but not appropriate to my situation since not using chlorine. As to non-chlorine test results, right now I'm at:

pH - 7.8
TA - 80
CH - 180
TEMP - 83, water clear
Biguanide - around 30 - just boosted it up
Peroxide - probably under 10. Doesn't matter how much I add - can never maintain the recommended level. Using the Line Clean product keeps the water clear, so I'm not all that worried about the peroxide level.
SI - 0.16

 

[Oly]

My reply was directed to johnbaker26's origional post.

I used Biquanide in my spa for a couple of years long ago before tapping out and switching to chlorine. Sorry I cannot imagine attempting to properly sanitize my pool that way.
Good luck to you

Thanks but not appropriate to my situation .....

 

[anthonypool89]

It's an algae issue whether you choose to believe it or not, even if you can't see it.

So I'm assuming you used chlorine all along, and yet still experienced DE filter pressure increase prior to starting TFP methodology?
Here's the thing though....I've been doing research and find nothing about clear water also being associated with an algae infestation. Everything points to water either becoming cloudy or worse. Doesn't make any sense to me, however, especially given that I faithfully use both the sanitizer / algistat and also the regular baquacil algicide. I used to have less filter trouble years ago when the water WAS often cloudy and (visible) algae caught in all the nooks and crannies of the original deteriorating plaster. But the past 7 years - with new plaster and clear water...I just don't get it.

 

[anthonypool89]

How old are your DE grids?

I have two sets -both are nearly brand new. I bought an extra set last year so as to never have to take the pool out of service while one set is being chemically cleaned.

No Amish neighbors here! Actually only 1 neighbor. No other houses near by.

 

[MITBeta]

So I'm assuming you used chlorine all along, and yet still experienced DE filter pressure increase prior to starting TFP methodology?

If you mean floated some tabs and dumped a bag of shock in once a week while making sure that some chlorine showed up on the test strips, then yes, I used chlorine all along and still experienced a DE filter pressure increase.

I've been doing research and find nothing about clear water also being associated with an algae infestation.

Where have you been doing this research? There are several current threads on this very forum in which clear water is described despite significant daytime and overnight chlorine loss. Chlorine can only be consumed by breaking down organic material when there is no sun on a pool.

 

[anthonypool89]

There are several current threads on this very forum in which clear water is described despite significant daytime and overnight chlorine loss.

Under which forum section? I just looked through part of the algae section and most there refer to cloudy or green water.

 

[MITBeta]

Mysterious chlorine loss... SLAM even though not failing entrance criteria?

I completed a SLAM three days ago, including passing all three criteria (water is clear, CC=0, OCLT dropped only 1ppm), but my Chlorine loss is higher than I'd expect. I needed to add 4ppm to the water a couple days ago and 8 ppm to the water yesterday. I've had a heavy bather load with a many...

www.troublefreepool.com

Clear Water but Still Failing OCLT During SLAM

I started my SLAM 3 days ago after I failed an OCLT and the water was a bit cloudy. The water was crystal clear the next day, I’ve brushed & vacuumed daily and I’ve maintained my FC levels as recommended for a SLAM (16 with a CYA of 40). CYA was in the 70-80 range but I replaced about 1/3 of...

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Yes... here's another newbie with a pool

Hello world! We just had our IG pool built and it was being maintained for the first 4 weeks by the pool builder. They just added the salt last Friday (June 11) and told me I was on my own unless I wanted to pay for pool service (which I must admit it crossed my mind). However a neighbor down...

www.troublefreepool.com

Salt Cell doesnt seem to keep up and CYA dropping

Pool was finished around 6 months ago and have been maintaining it myself following what I learned on the forum. For the first 1-2 months I did not install the salt cell and just used liquid chlorine. After I installed the cell I raised the CYA a tad ,added my salt, and all seemed well. I did...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[anthonypool89]

Thanks for all that but none of those seem to deal directly or even indirectly with increasing filter pressure. No big deal. See how the rest of the season goes with the number of DE changes needed.

 

[chiefwej]

If you use hairnets in your skimmer it will reduce the amount of debris getting into the filter and can lengthen the time between pressure rise. I know very little about Baqua pools, but I know combining a VS pump with hairnets in the skimmers cut my filter maintainance schedule significantly.

 

[anthonypool89]

I know the stuff is considered a hazardous material. I've never really done much with it other than hose whatever results from backwashing and spraying off my DE grids; however, over the span of 39 years - having generally placed the DE assy in the same spot all the time, I've built up a small area roughly resembling a mini-pitcher's mound. It's time to do something with it. Can the stuff be raked up and added to trash bags? I'm near a wooded area but suspect it's not a great idea to cart it over there and dump it in the woods. Just thought I'd ask. Maybe just a little at a time in the trash (?)