How do i clean the filter?

[Mtomey]

Hi everyone,
We had the pool for 3 years since we bought the house. This year, it got converted to SWG and we sre still trying to learn. There was a huge storm a week ago and the rain brought a ton of dirt into the pool. It has been looking like a river and the dirt hasnt been deposited to the bottom. After doing some research, i was going to start shocking the pool but i tested the levels and cya is 0 (see screenshot for complete results). I slowly poured less than .5 lb of stabilizer in the skimmer and the salt cell ahut off and lit off the check cell light. I have opened the cell and what i think is the filter (this blue thing?) But dont know how to clean anythinf up. Thanks in advance.

 

[Mtomey]

Also, we have never opened up the sand filter. I assume it needs cleaning but we don't know how to do it.

 

[Texas Splash]

That blue thing is a Nature2 mineral pack. You don't want that in there. It adds metals to the water. Before the SWG, you should've been using strictly pool chlorine (aka regular bleach). Here's the situation now. You have a muddy, dirt-filled mess in the water. You are going to need a lot of patience and will also do a good amount of wacuuming to waste and/or backwashing. It will take time. You can expect to do a SLAM Process as well since all that organic material will eat-up FC and try to develop into algae.

For now though, put the SWG back together in the plumbing so you can move water again, but don't bother turning it on or simply leave it to zero percent. It won't help with the current situaion or during a SLAM Process. Increase your CYA to "30" and be prepared to have regular bleach on-hand to increase the FC. Increase the FC to about 5-7 for now and monitor as you vacuum and baskwash.

Also, if I understand what you did before (dumping stabilizer in the skimmer) we never do that. Always use the sock-soaking method. If you dumped the stablilier directly into the skimmer, it went right to the filter and is sitting there undissolved. If I misunderstood, let me (us) know. We'll walk you through the clearing process, but be patient and stick to this thread for good advice from everyone here. We'l help you.

Adding CYA:
To increase CYA via granular stabilizer, place the required amount as calculated by the Poolmath calculator into a white sock and place in the poolside skimmer basket. For those concerned about suction flow to the pump, suspending the sock near a return jet or from a floating device will also suffice. Best never to allow undissolved granules to rest directly against the pool surface. Squeeze the sock periodically to help it dissipate. Once dissolved, consider your CYA adjusted to that programmed (target) level. CYA test readings should show a rise in 24-48 hours, however some pools may experience a longer delay to fully register. Best to confirm final CYA in about 5-7 days before adding any more stabilizer/conditioner.

 

[Texas Splash]

For your filter cleaning question specifically, start with the following to help:

Routine Pump/Filter Maintenance

A working Filter and pump are vital parts for your pool. Read our artiticle on how to clean your filter & other Pool Maintenance Tips.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Mtomey]

Thanks for the prompt response. So you understood correctly. How do i clean the filter? The SWG shut off because of that. I assume i can have my husband do some plumbing to take the mineral pack out and reconnect the pipelines?! Would the shock bags from Leslies work or it needs to be the liquid chlorine i was using before?

 

[Mtomey]

Yes i do backwash regularly. I did not know that's all that was to cleaning the filter for this case. Would that make the SWG not show the check cell message anymore?

 

[Texas Splash]

Do not use the shock bags from Leslies. They have by-products of either stabilizer or calcium, and they won't support the SLAM Process process. Regular bleach is your best tool for that and throughout the season. I believe you can just leave the Nature2 mineral pack out of its housing without cutting the PVC. The SWG should be able to get screwed back into the line but simply left off.

Once the water is clear, we'll come back to the SWG and why it stopped working. Let's focus on getting water moving again and clearing the water first.

 

[Mtomey]

Im not sure how to leave the mineral pack out. My husband is out buying bleach and more stabilizer now. I turned SWG off. There is a pipe leaking a lot now (probably from when i opened the cell) and I will have my husband seal it. Will provide update later today. Thanks again!

 

[Texas Splash]

Im not sure how to leave the mineral pack out.

I'm not real familiar with them. From the picture it looked like the mineral pack could just be left out and put the lid back on. I suspect the metals in that mineral pack are long gone, so if you have to insert it back into the cartridge housing, it should be fine for now. Just never buy replacement cartridges.

 

[Mtomey]

Pipe was fixed. We started the pump now, added 2 gallons of bleach 10% and hang the sock with some stabilizer. Will update later.

 

[Mtomey]

Chlorine test came up as 7.5 and i added recommended amount of bleach 56oz

 

[Mtomey]

The floor of the pool is covered with dirt. I brushed part of the pool and you can see it. Should i vacuum to waste or keep going with the slam process?

 

[Texas Splash]

You can vacuum to waste as long as you watch the water level. If you do it long enough, you may have to re-test your pH, CYA, and FC since some of those products will go out to the lawn.

 

[Mtomey]

The level is kind of at a minimum, i had to put more water in today. I wouldnt want to waste it if not necessary. I asked because i dont know if shocking it will take care of all that dirt at the bottom.

 

[Texas Splash]

I asked because i dont know if shocking it will take care of all that dirt at the bottom.

The SLAM Process won't remove the dirt itself, only help to prevent/eliminate an algae bloom. The dirt will eventually get picked-up by the filter via sweeping, brushing, and vacuuming. It just takes time.

 

[Mtomey]

Ok i just did some vacuum to waste, backwashed and added more bleach

 

[Mtomey]

Just to update i keep backwashing and bruahing once a day, pump running 24x7, sock is hanging with a tiny bit of cya left, added bleach about 2-3x a day to keep at shock level.

 

[Mtomey]

We backwashed, vacuumed to waste, added cya and bleach everyday multiple times (yesterday was only once). It is looking so much better even though we have some more work to do. Could i clean the filter today? How is that done?

 

[Texas Splash]

Could i clean the filter today? How is that done?

I assume you are referring to a sand deep cleaning correct? Here's the page: Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter.

 

[RonsPlc]

A sand filter actually works better if a bit dirty... I would keep at the SLAM until the water is perfect before doing a deep clean of the sand.
Once the SLAM is finished is when I would consider doing a deep clean of the sand.