Fine Dust Particles from Nearby Construction (No flocculant?)

[Tortuga353]

I live on a golf course and they recently added a nearby tee box. It stirred up a lot of dust and got in our pool while I was on vacation.

We vacuumed the pool completely last weekend and it momentarily looked better, but all the sediment ended up going through the sand filter and is back. I tried the Polaris 280, I use filter socks, and have been back washing frequently but I can’t get the water clear. Once it settles to the bottom the water is pretty clear.

I ordered flocculant off Amazon as it looked like a good solution and I can vaccuum to waste, but on here everyone says no don’t do it.

What do I do instead?

 

[Texas Splash]

Have you considered adding some DE to the filter? I would do that before trying floc. Floc certainly will grab suspended particles, but vacuuming it all out isn't always a guarantee.

Add DE to a Sand Filter

A clean pool filter will increase the efficiency of your pool! ... your filter are to backwash it, clean the manifolds and grids, and add new DE.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Donldson]

Floc causes stuff that is suspended in water to fall to the bottom to be vacuumed. Since your particulate is already falling to the bottom then what's the benefit of floc?

Why are you not vacuuming this to waste now? Why do you need floc to do that?

 

[Tortuga353]

Some of it is sinking to the bottom but some is remaining suspended and murky. I have not tried turning off the pumps for a day to see if all will settle.

Should I try that and vaccuum to waste as planned tomorrow morning.

 

[Tortuga353]

If I do add DE I notice a lot of pressure reading advice. My system does not have a pressure gauge and I’ve not seen any pressure type information on any of the system information.

 

[mknauss]

Your sand filter does not have a pressure gauge? It should, right on the side of the MPV.

 

[Tortuga353]

It does not. I’m trying to upload a picture but saying it is too large.

 

[Tortuga353]

 

[Tortuga353]

 

[Tortuga353]

I called and spoke to the pool company and they do not install with pressure gauges anymore… They break yearly and are a PITA according to them. I’m sure BS but just something else I missed on install.

 

[acroy]

Interesting... Yes I suggest adding a bit of DE to the filter, or just vac to waste. My DE filter gets rid of very fine particles very well.

 

[mknauss]

Get a pressure gauge. With a Jandy filter you might have to get one of theirs -- see if the port that is plugged is a nominal 1/4" npt or not. If it is a 1/4" npt, then get a rear mount, 30 psi gauge.

You must have a pressure gauge to properly manage your filter. It should be cleaned when the pressure rises by 25% over clean pressure. Without a gauge, it is likely you will backwash way too often and thus disrupt your chemical balance unnecessarily.

 

[Tortuga353]

Thanks everyone. I’ll run and get some DE and vaccuum to waste. I’ll check out the gauges and see what I need to do. Is it pretty simple to just install myself?

 

[mknauss]

Is it pretty simple to just install myself?

Yes. Take a look at the side of the MPV. There will be a plug in a port. You would remove that plug and screw in the gauge. Again, need to check what the connection is. Jandy tends to make things difficult for DIY repair/changes.

 

[Tortuga353]

I just watched and it looks pretty easy. A double wrap of Teflon and a new valve. I’ll order one now.

 

[mknauss]

If this is new, I would insist the pool builder provide it. You paid for it with the MPV/filter.

 

[Tortuga353]

I’m out of warranty. It was installed in 2020.

 

[Tortuga353]

Followed instructions and added a cheap valve from Lowes until the nbetter one comes in.

27 PSI after backwash on full 3450 rpm. It took two cups of DE to take it 28. Already cleaner. Vaccuum to waste in the morning and should be good.

Thanks everyone!! Saved me a headache and caught my pool builder…again..

 

[mknauss]

Wow, that is some high pressure.

Hopefully you run the pump at a much lower rpm most of the time.

 

[Tortuga353]

It is normally on at 1300 rpm and around 9-10 PSI full blast for an 2 hour at start-up and shutdown.

15 psi it looked like at 2750 rpm.