Filter Size????

[genuwine4532]

I have a Hayward Starclear C250 Cartridge filter with a MAX GPM of 25, but I want to change it to a larger size the C500 that has a MAX GPM of 50, my pool pump is 1/3 HP with a max GPM of 40, will this work?

The filter I have now is too small, as it can't handle the sand/dirt (dessert) that flies into and so I am having to clean the cartridge 5 times a week, the C500 has double the filter area.

Pool is...

• 21 x 17
• Oval
• 500 Sq. feet surface area (includes depth)
• About 8000 gallons

Thank you

 

[jblizzle]

Welcome to TFP!!!

There really is no such thing as a cartridge filter that is "too big" There is not a minimum flow rate through a cartridge filter so you should have no problems.

That said, the 250 sqft should really be plenty big for your pool size and not required cleaning 5x per week due to dust/debris.
ARe you sure you do not have a low level algae problem that is clogging up your filter?
Or perhaps your pH and CH are too high and there is calcium build-up on your cartridges causing them to clog quickly.

Do you have a full set of test results you can share?

 

[genuwine4532]

Thank you! I do not have readings in numbers, I have a dipstick that I use and all levels are within normal, but I will take a sample to my pool shop to be sure and get real numbers.

But I am 100% sure it is not algae, I live in the high dessert of CA in a very rural area where surrounding the pool is nothing but dirt that is primarily sand, there is literally no cement anywhere near the pool or the surrounding houses, or the alley behind the pool, only the dirt which when combined with very high winds that are almost daily throughout the year all that sand/dirt flies into my pool.

So, once the water gets stirred up and this dirt mixes in and goes through the filter it gets clogged very fast, and when I clean my cartridge I can see all that wet dirt in there and it washes off with a hose.

It has been an endless nightmare, and I got myself a Dolphin plug in vaccuum that cleans pretty good, but that too just can't keep up, so I thought a larger cartirdge surface on the C500, which is 50 sq ft instead of the 25 sg ft I have now will help

Hayward has even larger cartridge models but they do advise minimum GPM flow ratings for the pumps used with them

Welcome to TFP!!!

There really is no such thing as a cartridge filter that is "too big" There is not a minimum flow rate through a cartridge filter so you should have no problems.

That said, the 250 sqft should really be plenty big for your pool size and not required cleaning 5x per week due to dust/debris.
ARe you sure you do not have a low level algae problem that is clogging up your filter?
Or perhaps your pH and CH are too high and there is calcium build-up on your cartridges causing them to clog quickly.

Do you have a full set of test results you can share?

 

[jblizzle]

I got to be honest. Given that you are trusting test strips I'm almost positive that what you have is an algae problem and not the dust and dirt problem you think it is.

By the way we really do not trust pool store testing anymore than we would trust numbers from those test strips.

There are plenty of members in Dusty Arizona and Texas with filters smaller than that that do not have your problems.

 

[genuwine4532]

Thank you

It's fine if it's algae, I can deal with that, but I don't even know what type, mustard, brown, black?

I have been researching algae for 3 days online, looking at pictures and posts and there is always a green , yellow or black tint somewhere, either in the water, what is washed out of the cartridge, or on the sides of the pool, mine looks nothing like anything described or pictured.

The closest possible thing to mine is Mustard Algae because when it is disturbed with a brush it turns cloudy BUT from what I have read it forms in shady parts of pool, my pool is full sun and in summer over 110F.

Also, I know you don't believe in strips, but I just put one in as it's all I have and FC is at 20 (very high), from my understanding FC would be low or zero if it's mustard algae?

Could it be pollen? That seems to fit more than algae?


Also, this pool was built last year, and this problem was almost immediate after the initial shock.

What do you use to test your pool water?

Is there a test for algae?

Here are pictures of my water - this is after I moved the water around to go though filter and it resettled back down - sorry it's a little dark took them at night, BUT THERE IS NO GREEN AT ALL - only BROWN

I got to be honest. Given that you are trusting test strips I'm almost positive that what you have is an algae problem and not the dust and dirt problem you think it is.

By the way we really do not trust pool store testing anymore than we would trust numbers from those test strips.

There are plenty of members in Dusty Arizona and Texas with filters smaller than that that do not have your problems.

 

[jblizzle]

It does not matter what type of algae it is. The answer is the same regardless, you need to follow the SLAM process.

I would highly recommend the TF 100 test kit with the XL option to help you get the pool cleaned up. This is available from tftestkits.net

We have seen over and over again how unreliable test strips can be and getting one of the recommended test kits is certainly the first step to understanding what is going on in your pool.

 

[cfherrman]

Dead algae often appears as white and Poof's when you touch it with a brush.

We have seen it a million times from guess strips or pool stores, it's the worse care you can do to your pool.

 

[genuwine4532]

Okay I will slam the pool, on the How To Slam a pool guide, it shows the target FC guide but it does not say how much liquid chlorine to add to reach the target, where do you start, a 1 gallon bottle?

 

[cfherrman]

Use pool math link

Without fas/dpd test you cannot slam the pool

 

[genuwine4532]

Never mind, I see the calculator

Okay I will slam the pool, on the How To Slam a pool guide, it shows the target FC guide but it does not say how much liquid chlorine to add to reach the target, where do you start, a 1 gallon bottle?

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks, I am going to get one now

Use pool math link

Without fas/dpd test you cannot slam the pool

 

[cfherrman]

Tf-100 or Taylor 2006c only

We will get you fixed up!

 

[genuwine4532]

So, no algae, it was just sand/dirt flying in as I suspected. My FC was much too high to have any algae, as I learned from research. Talked to customers at my pool store and the pool aisle at Walmart and everyone here in my area has this sandy dirt problem due to high winds and tons of dirt around.

I drained the whole pool, cleaned the mud at the bottom, refilled it with water and bought a new giant cartridge filter, 5 times bigger than the one I have now, and powered up my new Dolphin Nautilus Vaccuum robot, so I think this should make my filtration and cleaning of any incoming dirt much more optimal.

For anyone reading this post who is struggling with brown entity in their pool, and unsure if it's algae, just know that my dirt when moved created a cloud, which all over the web, is a "sure sign of mustard algae" but my sandy dirt turned into a cloud when moved underwater and it was not algae.

If it looks like dirt, especially the soft sandy clay kind found in the dessert, then it's dirt.
POOL LOOKS GREAT!! Hopefully my new filtration strategy will keep it this way

 

[jblizzle]

That really does not prove that you did not have algae

Did you order a test kit to be sure you keep it looking that way?

 

[genuwine4532]

Yes, I got the Taylor kit this morning, all numbers are 100% and Leslie's pool store checked for organics the other day and the result was zero, as other customers were there, everyone agreed this is a common problem here, and all of us deal with the exact same thing, dirt flying constantly.

Also, my FC was way high at 15 (for 5 days straight), which I have read here and elsewhere is a sure sign of no algae

Since my old cartridge filter is only 25 Sq ft it just isn't handling the dirt fast enough making had to constantly clean it, and the dirt built up in the pool, also I did not have a good vaccuum before either, so now I think things will be much better.

Also, bought liquid chlorine and not going to use the concentrated granules anymore cause my CYA was 150, I suspect from those granules as I learned here.

That really does not prove that you did not have algae

Did you order a test kit to be sure you keep it looking that way?

 

[cfherrman]

15 FC is low for cya of 150

 

[jblizzle]

initially you said your filter was 250sqft, now you say 25sqft. I agree that 25sqft is way too small if that is what it actually was.

 

[genuwine4532]

Oh, sorry about that, I said the model of the filter which is a C250, their smallest one, which is only 25 sq ft.

I got myself a 350 sq ft hayward now, so I think it will be much better.

Also, the liquid chlorine by Pool Essentials, I know it and other liquids have a limited shelf life, so they stamp their dates in the format of Year - Days into Year (2018 66) so, does this mean the day it was packaged or does the Days into Year indicate it has already diminished in strength?

Also, I still have a giant bucket of Leslies Chlor Brite granules - Dichlor-S-Trianzinetrione which is what I think raised my CYA so high, but it cost me over $150, can I use it sparingly so as not to waste it without significantly raising that CYA again?

Thank you!

initially you said your filter was 250sqft, now you say 25sqft. I agree that 25sqft is way too small if that is what it actually was.

 

[jblizzle]

OH! That was actually my mistake in assuming it was a 250 sqft filter. Silly model numbers

The date is the manufacure date. It will be dimishing the entire time and is greatly dependant on how it is stored.

The Dichlor will always add CYA, so you should only use it when you need the CYA to be raised. It will not go bad if you keep it dry. You may have a lifetime supply

 

[genuwine4532]

I know the models numbers are stupid, it should be C25

"lifetime supply" LOL, that's for sure it's a giant bucket, can I keep it in a hot garage? or better a cool place?

Okay, my Wal Mart has limited bottles of the Pool Essentials liquid, were kind of old when I was there on Sunday, I got my FC to 2 right now, but it took 1 1/2 gallons, should I add more and get it to 4?

OH! That was actually my mistake in assuming it was a 250 sqft filter. Silly model numbers

The date is the manufacure date. It will be dimishing the entire time and is greatly dependant on how it is stored.

The Dichlor will always add CYA, so you should only use it when you need the CYA to be raised. It will not go bad if you keep it dry. You may have a lifetime supply

 

[jblizzle]

You need to keep the FC above the minimum for your CYA at all times. Add whatever amount you need to ensure that.

You can keep the bucket in the garage. Just be aware of fumes when you open it.