Filter broke after partial drain, what now?

[Wntrequinx]

So I posted previously about my pool adventures that led to a recommendation of draining the pool to lower the copper in it.

I brought it down to about 24in of water (was concerned about drying out the worst of the liner wrinkles), and then ran water in and out of it for about 4 hours, before filling it back up.

I opened the cartridge filter drain to drain the old water out, and the drain plug broke, so the plastic that tightened against the o-ring just came off. It does not leak while the pump is off, but the o-ring starts to push out and tiny streams shoot out when the pump turns on.

I have to wait until Wednesday for the replacement plug, and I presume I can't add chemicals until the pump is working, correct?

 

[ajw22]

Add 5 ppm of liquid chlorine to the water daily and stir the water with your pool brush until you get your pump running. This should keep algae from taking hold.

 

[Wntrequinx]

Thanks, I'll do that tomorrow!

 

[wireform]

If you're speaking of the cap on the filter drain you can probably pick one up at a good pool store albeit at a premium but that beats having a green pool.

 

[Wntrequinx]

The better pool store had already closed for the weekend when it broke, and the open ones didnt answer the phone on Sunday, so I will check again today. The water still has over 5 FC (it was at 13 before the partial drain because I over chlorinated during SLAM), and it still has a lot of copper from the problem algaecide that made me need to drain it, so it seems to be staying clear despite just sitting and waiting...

 

[JoyfulNoise]

You might look at threaded PVC fittings. On some filters, the drain plug thread is equivalent to 1-1/2” pipe thread.

 

[Wntrequinx]

Got one! It's the kind for blocking the return when closing pool, but it's working fine... not sure I'd want to trust it long term, but I'm probably replacing this whole filter this summer.

Thanks everyone

 

[Newdude]

Got one! It's the kind for blocking the return when closing pool, but it's working fine... not sure I'd want to trust it long term

They hold forever so you’re good. Now if you want it to match and be pretty...... lol.

Unless you had a catastrophic failure with the filter i would do whatever you could to make it to at least next year. The prices are going up by the week. *if* anyone has any.

 

[Wntrequinx]

I'm more worried about the leaking pump, poorly maintained (or super old) filter cartridge failing.

But if it lasts all summer, that's fine with me