Help with Stubborn Cloudy Green

[Texas Splash]

Is there anything I should do to clean out the laterals/standpipe before putting it back in?

Not really. Just a good thorough rinsing. Just eyeball is correct. Yes, use some tape or even a tennis ball to cover the standpipe opening. Good luck!

 

[splashpad]

Is there anything I should do to clean out the laterals/standpipe before putting it back in? I only ask because there are some grains of sand hanging out in the groves. Didn't know if I should blow and/or wash those out before replacing.

Also, do I just eyeball it to get it in the middle, like there's not a slot or mount or anything in there, right?

Plan now is to put the standpipe and lateral assembly back in, plug the filter, and fill with enough water to soften the sand going in, then put in the fresh sand. Should I cover the top of the standpipe with something to avoid getting sand in it while pouring it in?

Here is an example of a double duty, center pipe and cover laterals

 

[kellyfair]

Great idea, Splash! I used an upside down plastic cup on mine.

 

[funandsun]

Not really. Just a good thorough rinsing. Just eyeball is correct. Yes, use some tape or even a tennis ball to cover the standpipe opening. Good luck!

Yes, sand folk got some pretty neat ideas when it comes to protecting that standing pipe! lol

I put a rag down it, then covered that with 2 plastic grocery bags and some tape around that. You know, basically like my life depended on it. LOL

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Great idea, Splash! I used an upside down plastic cup on mine.

Brilliant!

 

[madyogi]

I'm going with splash's solution, though a solo cup would probably do fine. Any last advice for smoothing out the sand other than just taking it slow, and leveling it out after each bag?

 

[Texas Splash]

Not really. Just take your time pouring the sand. Let it settle carefully over the laterals and just try to keep it uniform. I suspect a good backwash and thorough rinse will be in order once you're done.

 

[madyogi]

Alright, got the filter plugged and 1/3 water in, gonna get to pouring the sand.

 

[splashpad]

Alright, got the filter plugged and 1/3 water in, gonna get to pouring the sand.

Whoop!

 

[madyogi]

Everything is hooked back up and running smoothly! Did a 4.5 minute backwash and a 30 second rise. I'm about to take my sweaty-butt into my swim in my swamp with my son. Don't judge me ....

Seriously though, anything else I need to be keeping my eye on besides SLAM and brush?

 

[Texas Splash]

Don't judge me ......

You earned it. Now we'll be very curious to see how your water responds to the filter in the next 24-48 hours. Let's remember though ...... green water is a product of chemistry. Your sand is there to catch the dead algae which generally begins to turn white or light brown. So now that your system is running again, maintain that FC level. Maybe tomorrow you can try that diluted CYA test. It's a longshot as I suspect your standard test was pretty close, but based on everything you've been doing and the length of this SLAM, I don't want to take any chances.

 

[splashpad]

Everything is hooked back up and running smoothly! Did a 4.5 minute backwash and a 30 second rise. I'm about to take my sweaty-butt into my swim in my swamp with my son. Don't judge me ....
Seriously though, anything else I need to be keeping my eye on besides SLAM and brush?

Well, maybe not your son ^{(that's the mom talking fyi)}, but, since you're in SLAM Process to clear anyways... you could take a quick (chilly? not sure in AR) dip as long as FC is showing (clarity is for safety), so no cannonballs! ROFL

 

[madyogi]

That was wonderful!! Water is perfect in AR, probably 84 after a day that I think got to 90. My son and I had a blast, watching carefully all the time, and enjoying an extended water gun fight, been a long time coming. I also did a bit of scuba diving, and discover that the main drain was pretty well clogged up with gunked-up leaves and scum, so I dislodged all that, so that should help as well, I assume. Skimmer sock is in, and new sand is running, FC dropped to about 14 throughout the day, so now that we're out, I'll jack it back up to SLAM at 20, and I'll be sure to do the diluted CYA test tomorrow at lunch as I won't have any obligations like the ones I had going ALL WEEKEND!

Thanks again for everyone's encouragement. I've really got my fingers crossed that this will be the thing that finally gets me around the corner!

 

[Texas Splash]

and discover that the main drain was pretty well clogged up with gunked-up leaves and scum, so I dislodged all that, so that should help as well, I assume.

Yeeessssssss! Now we're talkin'. That's the best news in your thread I've heard all day. That could have definitely been a deal breaker in the SLAM. Good catch!

 

[splashpad]

Tried and true!!!

Now you'll start seeing real results!

 

[Texas Splash]

You know what else? ..... Guess what's missing from your list of pool items in your signature? ...... a main drain. With all the badgering and times we thought about places algae could hide in your pool, we never suspected you had a MD. So now we know.

 

[madyogi]

Elementary, my dear Watson

Sig amended

 

[splashpad]

Elementary, my dear Watson

Sig amended

+1 for not taking my instant gratification suggestion! Although you would have seen the main drain clumping after, it wouldn't have been nearly as satisfactory!

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But yeah, half full sand barrel and clogged drain would definitely explain what's going on!

 

[madyogi]

+1 for not taking my instant gratification suggestion! Although you would have seen the main drain clumping after, it wouldn't have been nearly as satisfactory!

Trust me, I was very, VERY close! And you're right, while it hasn't been the most fun opening, I have learned just about every legit thing a person can throw at their pool system to clear the water up. I've learned as much as I could ever need to know about my gear. I put a full, pristine load of sand in my filter, and I discovered the clogged drain during the first swim of the season with my son. IF things clear up quickly over the next 24-48 hours, this will be uber satisfying! Still a big IF at this point :???:

 

[funandsun]

Trust me, I was very, VERY close! And you're right, while it hasn't been the most fun opening, I have learned just about every legit thing a person can throw at their pool system to clear the water up. I've learned as much as I could ever need to know about my gear. I put a full, pristine load of sand in my filter, and I discovered the clogged drain during the first swim of the season with my son. IF things clear up quickly over the next 24-48 hours, this will be uber satisfying! Still a big IF at this point :???:

Nice work madyogi, only you know how clogged that main drain was, but in my interpretation of your account, it wasn't doing much to help you get water to the filter to be cleaned. So awesome catch!

 

[kellyfair]

I am so glad you and your son actually got to enjoy the pool today! Looking forward to seeing more updates!