DE in sand filter 3cups and no move

[joshuaj1975]

Hayward 500# sand filter.
Clean psi. Is 10 (16 if running through heater). Slowly worked up to 3 cups of DE and still at 10psi. Should I keep going? It’s been about 2 hours since.

 

[Texas Splash]

Big filter, but before adding anymore DE, let's make sure we understand a few things.
- Why are you adding DE? Final algae-clearing process, or overall water clarity? Something else?
- When was the last time the sand was deep cleaned?
- Are you seeing any DE come out of the return jets?
- Are you positive the pressure gauge is operating properly?

 

[joshuaj1975]

Acid wash done about 2 months ago.
All new sand. Checked the guys that replaced the sand (didn’t trust they did it right)by taking out all new sand and finding 3 of the laterals in the up position. Fixed, inspected and put all sand back in. They said they put in the whole 500lbs. I lost some taking it out and added another 100lbs. So probably about 560ish lbs. a little over half way filled in filter itself.
Filled with water and been doing the tfp “method” for about 1month

There’s just this lingering brownish(probably dead algae) dust I just can’t seem to filter out.
Pool is clear but not “tfp” clear.

No de coming out

Psi gauge might not be the best but is only about 2 months old and seems to be consistent when off(0)filter on w/o heater(10)-filter on with heater(16)-backwash(2ish)settings

 

[joshuaj1975]

Big filter, but before adding anymore DE, let's make sure we understand a few things.
- Why are you adding DE? Final algae-clearing process, or overall water clarity? Something else?
- When was the last time the sand was deep cleaned?
- Are you seeing any DE come out of the return jets?
- Are you positive the pressure gauge is operating properly?

See above post. Thanks

 

[proavia]

Is it the stock Hayward 0-60 psi gauge?
If so, those aren't that accurate.
Consider getting a glycerin filled 0-30 psi gauge, similar to this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Measureman-Filled-Pressure-0-30psi-Stainless/dp/B07T74PNQP/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=0-30+psi+pressure+gauge&qid=1656549015&sr=8-5

 

[Texas Splash]

There’s just this lingering brownish(probably dead algae) dust I just can’t seem to filter out.
Pool is clear but not “tfp” clear.

That's an interesting observation. If it's been windy it could be desert dust/sand settling. Dead algae is usually more of a dull white/grey color. Your gut is telling you something. To be safe, have you done an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to rule out organics? You may say "no way" since the pressure doesn't seem to be increasing, but that's no guarantee at this point either.

 

[joshuaj1975]

It’s this

Is it the stock Hayward 0-60 psi gauge?
If so, those aren't that accurate.
Consider getting a glycerin filled 0-30 psi gauge, similar to this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Measureman-Filled-Pressure-0-30psi-Stainless/dp/B07T74PNQP/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=0-30+psi+pressure+gauge&qid=1656549015&sr=8-5

No not a Hayward.

I’ve had a few of the pic shown and I know they don’t last. But like I said this one’s newer. I will get a glycerin one though.

But I should be able to see some increase I would think with 3 cups?

 

[joshuaj1975]

That's an interesting observation. If it's been windy it could be desert dust/sand settling. Dead algae is usually more of a dull white/grey color. Your gut is telling you something. To be safe, have you done an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to rule out organics? You may say "no way" since the pressure doesn't seem to be increasing, but that's no guarantee at this point either.

I did a oclt and no drop on ppm.

Seems to filter out everything else.
It’s been the same, no better no worse and most noticeable in the spa as it has less surface area to accumulate and is more noticeable. See pic of what I’m talking about clean area as appears to brown area above.

Don’t know how to post a video but very easy to see when I brush.

Didn’t want to do the vacuum to waste….

 

[proavia]

A 100 psi gauge is harder to see a 1 psi change than the 60 psi gauge. The 30 psi gauge is all that should ever be needed and provides a finer scale to see minor movement.

 

[Texas Splash]

I must say I'm a bit stumped. The only thing is I have an uneasy feeling about your test logs. Your FC has been on the low side a couple times at least, so then you add one gallon of chlorine which is 4 ppm worth. Then it may fall again. Consuming 4 ppm in 24 hrs is right at the high end of what we consider acceptable unless the CYA is too low or there is a lot of swimming or some explainable reason for consumption. May or may not be related to the brown, but just has me wondering even though you passed the OCLT.

I can't imagine the brown is anything related to pollen in your area. Has this been happening for a long time, or did it only start when those techs changed your sand? Anything unusual in your local area that might be related to that stuff? Landscaping work or something?

 

[joshuaj1975]

I must say I'm a bit stumped. The only thing is I have an uneasy feeling about your test logs. Your FC has been on the low side a couple times at least, so then you add one gallon of chlorine which is 4 ppm worth. Then it may fall again. Consuming 4 ppm in 24 hrs is right at the high end of what we consider acceptable unless the CYA is too low or there is a lot of swimming or some explainable reason for consumption. May or may not be related to the brown, but just has me wondering even though you passed the OCLT.

I can't imagine the brown is anything related to pollen in your area. Has this been happening for a long time, or did it only start when those techs changed your sand? Anything unusual in your local area that might be related to that stuff? Landscaping work or something?

Just since the pool was drained, acid washed, landscape done before refilling. They cleaned the pool before filling but made a good mess while doing all the work in and around it.

Ordered the above mentioned psi. Gauge

I will perform another oclt tonight.

 

[Texas Splash]

I will perform another oclt tonight.

We'll watch for those results. If you pass again, we'll reach out to some others for ideas outside the box. Perhaps this is something residual from the maintenance done earlier to the shell. Can't imagine why, but we'll see.

 

[joshuaj1975]

We'll watch for those results. If you pass again, we'll reach out to some others for ideas outside the box. Perhaps this is something residual from the maintenance done earlier to the shell. Can't imagine why, but we'll see.

Fwiw. I’ve been using the Home Depot hdx 10%chlorine. I have 2 gallons left then will be using the HASA 12.5% refillables which I think will be way more consistent and less volume of LC going in everyday.

 

[proavia]

Given your CYA of 50, dose to 8-10. The upper part of the target range is 8 for CYA 50 - but given our high heat and that it's monsoon season, it won't hurt to add a few more ppm to target. Just know that the pH test isn't valid when FC is 10 or greater.

Where did you source the Hasa 12.5% from?

 

[joshuaj1975]

Given your CYA of 50, dose to 8-10. The upper part of the target range is 8 for CYA 50 - but given our high heat and that it's monsoon season, it won't hurt to add a few more ppm to target. Just know that the pH test isn't valid when FC is 10 or greater.

Where did you source the Hasa 12.5% from?

HASA 12.5%
Price busters pool and spa

Arizona Hot Tub and Spa | Dealer, Service, and Repair | Price Busters

★★★★★ 4.9 Stars out of 189 Google Reviews. We have spa parts and supplies, plus repair services. Call (480)969-5155 today!

poolandspahub.com

$27.99 4x1
$8 refundable on crate and bottles

That’s what I figured plus the use of the 10% (couldn’t find any dates in packaging)

 

[joshuaj1975]

We'll watch for those results. If you pass again, we'll reach out to some others for ideas outside the box. Perhaps this is something residual from the maintenance done earlier to the shell. Can't imagine why, but we'll see.

We'll watch for those results. If you pass again, we'll reach out to some others for ideas outside the box. Perhaps this is something residual from the maintenance done earlier to the shell. Can't imagine why, but we'll see.

OCLT - 7ppm- no loss

??

 

[Texas Splash]

One last question before we hit the alarm ...... have you ever been able to grab any of that stuff to try and see what texture it has (soft, slimy, gritty, etc)

 

[wireform]

If you over filled the sand filter you may have some of it get in to the pool. I have seen that once because ask me how I know

 

[joshuaj1975]

One last question before we hit the alarm ...... have you ever been able to grab any of that stuff to try and see what texture it has (soft, slimy, gritty, etc)

Can’t really grab it

 

[joshuaj1975]

If you over filled the sand filter you may have some of it get in to the pool. I have seen that once because ask me how I know

No sand returning to pool