Help: Filtering out micro-particles

[dan52]

The water coming out of the sand filter is cloudy - obviously tons of with micro particles.

So I bought flocculant (Super Water Clarifier from Home Depot) and followed the directions carefully. But 24 hours later there's only modest improvement.

Is this expected? (The pool was in pretty bad shape this spring. The cover split over the winter. It took a few weeks to get all the debris out.)

Is it common to have to use a flocculant multiple times? If so, how long should I wait between doses?

Or, am I just being impatient? Is 24 hours not enough time?

Thanks!

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum! :handshake:

You should not use flocculants. If you circulated any of it through your sand filter it is advised to now change your sand.

Do you have test results you can post?

Take care.

 

[cfherrman]

If you have a sand filter you can add de to it and a little babysitting and patience if will clear, unless algae is still growing

ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
SLAM Process
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test
[FC/CYA][/FC/CYA]
PoolMath

 

[dan52]

If you have a sand filter you can add de to it and a little babysitting and patience if will clear, unless algae is still growing

How much DE?

 

[Propbndr]

If you have a sand filter you can add de to it and a little babysitting and patience if will clear, unless algae is still growing

How much DE?

Dirty sand filters work better than clean ones. Backwash your filter then note the pressure. Start by mixing 1/4 cup of de with pool water in a bucket, then slowly pour it into your skimmer. Wait a couple of minutes and note the pressure again. Keep adding de, 1/4 cup at a time, until your pressure raises 1 psi. Note how much de you added. That is your target amount. Then sit back an let the filter do its thing. Backwash it again when the pressure gets up to 25% of the clean filter starting pressure. Add de again. Keep repeating until your pool is clear.