Filter Keeps Clogging - Leprechaun bath

[deilert]

My Pentair Quad DE 60 Pool Filter keeps clogging up. We've had to travel numerous times and always come back to a green pool. This spring has been bad.

I've backwashed very frequently and pushed the Hayward Salt Water Generator (AquaRite 900) up to super chlorinate, but still ends up green. I've totally rinsed the filter elements and re-added DE. I've done this four times this spring. I'm back and the chlorine is rising to a good level, and ph is good now, both were off (chl is >4 and rising, pH 7.) I've rinsed the filter medium with a light acid bath to ensure they are in good shape. Last time I've noted that there is a LOT of sludge in the bottom of the filter that I used my wet/dry vac to clear out. I'm sure the pool will be clear looking in a few days, but the filter is totally clogged (see gouge) and continues to get that way in about 48 hours.

1. DE leak? Pool has a lot of green particulate on the bottom I brush up every am.
2. Replace my screen cap at the top of my bleeder tube inside the pentair filter? It looks fine.
3. Use less DE? Have been using 12 coffee cans per manual, but just dropped to 8 to see if I had a different result - nope.
4. Filter replacement? They don't have holes and look fine.

Any thoughts / debugging? Frustrated and not feeling lucky, but Irish with all the green.

 

[reggiehammond]

Post a full set of test results - my guess is you have algae and need to SLAM.
Stuff on the pool floor? Algae. Filter pressure rising? Algae. Green color? Lack of FC, algae.

You're chasing the filter, which is a symptom of a larger algae problem. I'd get the filter clean, SLAM and you should see better results.
You may need to clean the filter a few times during SLAM - once algae has gotten hold, your SWCG isn't strong enough to overcome.

SLAM - Shock Level and Maintain

We’ve all had to deal with a green pool. Clear algae from your pool with a SLAM! Read here to use shock level and maintain to clear your pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[PoolStored]

Yeah, that is kinda the problem with algae and a DE filter. It will clog fast because it is so good at filtering and requires cleaning/backwashing frequently during slam.

Do you have a backwash capability on the filter? If so, recharge the filter with 80% of the recommended clean load of DE if you backwash. Using full load is likely the reason for the SLUDGE.

As @reggiehammond indicates, you should follow the SLAM process to clear the pool. Be ready for frequent backwash/cleaning of a DE filter.

 

[deilert]

Thanks guys - Looks like I need to do some adjustments prior to SLAM as the FC is lower than this am.
FC=2, CC=0.5, pH=7.1, TA=80, CH=250, CYA<20

 

[ajw22]

Do you have an MPV with a RECIRCULATE setting or a slider valve on your DE filter?

 

[PoolStored]

Do you have an MPV with a RECIRCULATE setting

He does, see media.

 

[ajw22]

He does, see media.

Then run your filter in RECIRCULATE for the early stage of the SLAM Process while you are killing most of the algae. Once a lot of the algae is killed and not replicating you can focus a day on filtering the pool and frequent backwashing as necessary.

 

[Mdragger88]

With such low cya your fc was being depleted by the sun almost as fast as your swg makes it. This time of year in Texas with adequate cya (around 70ppm) in an algae free pool your swg should be running @100% for at least 12 hours, if not more to compensate for daily fc losses.
It sounds like you had a combination of these two issues (too low cya & too low run time/%) that led to low fc & allowed algae to take hold.
Please understand that Your T9 cell only has the ability to make 6.5 ppm fc in 24 hours in your pool volume running @100%. Super chlorinate just turns it to 100% for 24 hours or until the pump shuts off, whichever comes first.
When the time comes for a new cell you should get a t-15 cell/ 40k gal rated cell.

For the
SLAM Process increase cya to 30ppm.
Use the sock method.
Your ph is fine to start slam.
After you are certain you have passed all 3 end of slam exit criteria you should gradually increase your cya to around 70ppm. Possibly going to 80ppm in the peak of summer. Along with increasing your swg’s run time/% to insure you never fall below minimum for your cya.
FC/CYA Levels

 

[reggiehammond]

My pool is in full sun all day at 70-80ppm CYA is the only way I can maintain stable FC starting mid-May (right about now, just raised mine) through August. With that said, SLAM will be much cheaper and easier at 30 CYA right now.

Once you're clean and clear - I've found that my Quad DE works well with 80% of the recommended DE amount. I also do not backwash - I simply break it down and clean 2-3x a year (usually twice due to pollen, then once in the fall). The problem with backwashing is who knows how much DE came out, then you add back, and can easily end up with too much DE. I can't recall who gave the suggestion here, but I'm happy without backwashing, running a bit less than full load of DE.

 

[deilert]

Update - while in process of getting my CYA up to 30 as I ready a SLAM my pool water cleared up quickly - it's crystal clear now. Filter is full (of algae) again, but wow.
CYA = 30, FC = 7.5 / CC = 0 - tested again this AM same, no drop.

So... I'm thinking we're good on skipping SLAM, jump to increasing the CYA, clean the DE filter again and I think we're back in play. Thoughts?

 

[JJ_Tex]

Read the SLAM criteria and make sure you pass all 3 tests to end the SLAM. You don't want this coming back.

Also, just for clarity, you seem to be putting a lot of emphasis on the filter. The only job the filter has is to filter out floating particles (pollen, dust, dead algae, etc.). It wont kill algae, heck algae are just as happy in your filter as they are on your pool walls, etc. Chlorine is what kills and prevents algae.

 

[reggiehammond]

Update - while in process of getting my CYA up to 30 as I ready a SLAM my pool water cleared up quickly - it's crystal clear now. Filter is full (of algae) again, but wow.
CYA = 30, FC = 7.5 / CC = 0 - tested again this AM same, no drop.

So... I'm thinking we're good on skipping SLAM, jump to increasing the CYA, clean the DE filter again and I think we're back in play. Thoughts?

I would still raise to SLAM levels, then complete OCLT. The higher FC levels might reveal a bit more drop than you expect.
It's very easy to SLAM at CYA 30 - don't miss the opportunity to make sure you're good.

You might have enough FC to be keeping algae at bay, but not defeated.

 

[deilert]

I haven't been out to get Chlorine yet, but to be clear, I have met the three conditions for SLAM exit:

1. CC is 0.5 or lower - Measures 0 in eve and morning
2. AND you pass an OCLT (i.e. overnight FC loss test shows a loss of 1.0 ppm or less) - FC is still climbing as I still have SWG set to super chlorinate and running during day - currently 8.5
3. AND pool water is crystal clear with no visible sign of algae (dead or alive) on floor and walls - water is clear - some surfaces need wire scrubbing from long algae sticking, but nothing with regular brushing

Will clean and reload filter this weekend - hope to get chlorine as well.

 

[FlappyLipps]

Wouldn't you need to shut the SWG off overnight to check chlorine loss?

 

[reggiehammond]

I haven't been out to get Chlorine yet, but to be clear, I have met the three conditions for SLAM exit:

1. CC is 0.5 or lower - Measures 0 in eve and morning
2. AND you pass an OCLT (i.e. overnight FC loss test shows a loss of 1.0 ppm or less) - FC is still climbing as I still have SWG set to super chlorinate and running during day - currently 8.5
3. AND pool water is crystal clear with no visible sign of algae (dead or alive) on floor and walls - water is clear - some surfaces need wire scrubbing from long algae sticking, but nothing with regular brushing

Will clean and reload filter this weekend - hope to get chlorine as well.

I might be confused, but did you ever raise FC to SLAM levels?

We're not encouraging you to SLAM for unknown reasons - just want you to get this licked right now, so you have a summer ahead of you with trouble free pool care!

 

[Mdragger88]

I am also a bit confused- you don’t go from “leprechaun” green to crystal clear without something else involved if no chlorine is used.
The exit criteria for slam is to do the oclt at slam fc levels so at a minimum you should do this before you call it good.

 

[JJ_Tex]

I haven't been out to get Chlorine yet, but to be clear, I have met the three conditions for SLAM exit:

1. CC is 0.5 or lower - Measures 0 in eve and morning
2. AND you pass an OCLT (i.e. overnight FC loss test shows a loss of 1.0 ppm or less) - FC is still climbing as I still have SWG set to super chlorinate and running during day - currently 8.5
3. AND pool water is crystal clear with no visible sign of algae (dead or alive) on floor and walls - water is clear - some surfaces need wire scrubbing from long algae sticking, but nothing with regular brushing

Will clean and reload filter this weekend - hope to get chlorine as well.

Switch off your SWG and re-run test #2 tonight. That will truly measure how much of your FC is getting used up by organics in the water and tell you if you have a problem or not.

 

[Newdude]

I still have SWG set to super chlorinate and running during day -

Super chlorinate is 100% for 24 hours then it reverts back to its previous set level.

If you then shut it off at night, it's a moot function. The only real benefit to super chlorinate / boost is the turning down part so you don't forget to tomorrow.