Hi All, we opened the sand filter last night after having flow issues...it basically works for 15 minutes then quits. We have very high pollen, it was caked on top of the sand...we scraped off that layer, added more sand and it worked better last night. I added a pool sock over the poolside skimmer, but we’re still losing flow. I can’t seem to find anything about this on google, and I am just feeling super frustrated. Do you think we got a bad pump? It’s less than a month old direct from the manufacturer.
Intex Sand Filter, still having an issue with pollen
- Thread starter Momofthreema
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 58,546
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
It sounds like it is working to filter out the solids. Did you backwash it?
See Sand Filter Use and Care - Further Reading
See Sand Filter Use and Care - Further Reading
- May 3, 2014
- 58,546
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
OK -- can you fill out your signature? The pool size, type, equipment, etc helps us help you.
We also flooded the sand in case it was channel locked. If I turn the pump off and then back on it works for 15 minutes or so and then loses force again. Would a local pool tech be able to help with this?
- May 3, 2014
- 58,546
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Can you let us know what equipment you have? Your signature being filled out is a great help.
Basic, small, under-powered Intex pump/filter systems are not designed to handle significant solids. You may just be overwhelming it.
I doubt a pool tech will do much more than backwash it. But up to you.
Basic, small, under-powered Intex pump/filter systems are not designed to handle significant solids. You may just be overwhelming it.
I doubt a pool tech will do much more than backwash it. But up to you.
- May 3, 2014
- 58,546
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Do you have pool water chemistry test results? What does the water look like (other than the pollen)?
We’ve just really been worrying about the free chlorine, ph and alkalinity...those are all in normal ranges. Is there a chemical rating that would help us with this?
- May 3, 2014
- 58,546
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Is the volume of that pool 8000 gallons? Is it oval or rectangular? Volume in the signature is a plus.
- May 3, 2014
- 58,546
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
A basic test kit and process is fine if this pool volume is 3000 gallons or under. You would then just drain it whenever your water turns cloudy or algae appears. But if your pool is of larger volume, you need to properly manage the chemistry.
ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
Thank you...we have the taylor 2006 kit and we have been using chlorine tabs in a floater...the chlorine levels have been around 3ppm consistently, and the PH around 7.2, and the alkalinity around 80...the stabilizer has been in the low range...but I thought that would mean we just might need more chlorine?
- May 3, 2014
- 58,546
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
OK -- add your test kit to your signature! That is great.
Post a full set of test results.
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Post a full set of test results.
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
I would think that pump would work fine for your pool. I have to ask - what type of sand did you use?
Ok. You have it filled to proper level, and were cautious about pouring around the upright, correct? Do you find any sand coming into pool from the return?
Yup, we were careful filling it around the cap...a little sand came in because my husband forgot to rinse it before the restart after the top
Off last night. But the filter problem was happening before that.
I kinda want to see what is happening right after you backwash and then rinse. Does your pressure gradually increase, shoot up suddenly, is there air in the pump, etc.? All valves are open?