Changed my filter sand and laterals a few weeks ago and now dirt is coming right back into my pool. Within a couple of minutes of vacuuming I can see the dirt coming out of the returns. Since changing the sand the pressure on the filter never builds and I can't get the pool clean. Is there anything in the multiport valve that can "leak"? Where the multiport valve fits over the lateral pipe maybe?
Dirt coming right back into pool
- Thread starter Mrichey912
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 48,290
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Probably should ask .... are you sure it's dirt and not sand? Sand, being gritty by feel, is somewhat obvious but important to confirm which would indicate a bad lateral or connection. However if you are sure it's not sand, then we need to first evaluate your overall water chemistry to be sure it's not algae blowing back into the pool. Can you post a full set of water test results?
For sure not sand......
Numbers this morning before adding bleach:
FC: 5 (should be around 8 now)
pH: 7.7
Alk: 100
CYA: 50-60
I did an OCLT about a week ago and didn't lose any. I'm going to do another one tonight after bumping FC up above 10 ppm. If it is dead algae would it just blow right through my filter like that? I'd hate to think of losing 1000s of gallons of water to vacuum to waste.
Numbers this morning before adding bleach:
FC: 5 (should be around 8 now)
pH: 7.7
Alk: 100
CYA: 50-60
I did an OCLT about a week ago and didn't lose any. I'm going to do another one tonight after bumping FC up above 10 ppm. If it is dead algae would it just blow right through my filter like that? I'd hate to think of losing 1000s of gallons of water to vacuum to waste.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 48,290
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Algae can come back out of return jets, but unless you had a major FC loss it's a bit odd. Since the sand is new that rules-out a deep clean. Do you recall what type of sand you installed?
What type of sand did you use for refill? Did you run in the "rinse" position for a few minutes after adding sand?
I’ve backwashed and rinsed 3 times since changing the sand. Usually rinse for one minute after backwashing. I used big box store pool sand. Sakrete brand I believe.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 48,290
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
That might be the problem. I know HD's Quikrete has presented some problems by slipping through the lateral slots. I wonder if the stuff you used clearly noted being #20 silica sand designed specifically for pools?
It didn’t have any specs on the bag, a friend of mine with the same filter had used it without any issues. Again, it’s not sand coming through. I’m almost hoping I fail the oclt test, I’m at a loss at this point. I don’t want to burn through the bleach to SLAM but I’m tired of my pool floor looking nasty.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 48,290
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Still losing the battle. Passed the oclt, water is crystal clear and chemistry is fine. Tried the “DE in the sand filter” trick and the DE immediately blew right into the pool. I’m to the point now of replacing the brand new sand again or overhauling the mpv. Something is going on……
So you know it's not sand, you know your pool is crystal clear and you know you have backwashed three times very recently, right?
So where do you think the dirt is coming from? Did you disassemble the filter to change the sand?
So where do you think the dirt is coming from? Did you disassemble the filter to change the sand?
I changed the sand and laterals a few weeks ago. Only took the mpv off the top for the sand change out, no plumbing changes were made. DE blowing right through the filter is making my point for me, filter isn’t filtering.
I would suspect the new laterals are damaged or installed incorrectly. Seems to me it would still allow sand to pass through, though.
Long time member Richard320 used to say "the first place to look is the last thing you fixed"
Mpv was full of debris, gasket shot. Cleaned it up and limped it along until a replacement came in. Good to go now.