Thanks to this site, I feel so much more empowered now when I got into my pool store.
So before my remodel, I never understood what backwashing was / did.
I would always just take apart my filter and hose down the grids every time the pressure rose. It was a real PIA.
So now I have read here what back washing is and why you do it.
I ordered a 2" backwash hose and go to attach to bottom of the push/pull slide valve. Huh? nothing to attach it to.
After much research I realize I need to get a union with a slip fitting into the bottom of the slide valve with a threaded fitting on the other side to screw in the reducer so the hose fits over and can be then clamped with the hose clamp which came with it.
(Providing extra detail in case someone else is confused like I was)
Anyway, I go to the pool store to get the union and they tell me they don't recommend backwashing the filter.
I ask why, and the guy says first of all you lose DE when you backwash and you don't know how much more to add, secondly you may blow out the grids with the reverse pressure.
I tell him that means I have to clean the filter at least once a month when my pressure rises 10%.
He said I should only need to clean the filter ever 2-3 months.
So I said but what if the pressure rises before then - he said well then you need to clean it sooner.
He also suggested I get some grid cleaner. I told him I can just clean with muritic acid - what does your stuff have in it - he says, well it contains muritic acid - but heavily diluted. You have to be careful using muritic acid. I said I just would dilute it like 10-1 and soak the grids. He said that this product makes it much easier.
Anyway, I thanked him and was about to pay for my part - and then he ask's
You're using 2 forms of chlorine in your pool right?
I said no, just liquid chlorine.
He said you should really be using 2 forms of chlorine so the sun doesn't burn it off (So. Cal - High 80's already all week)
I told him I have enough conditioner in the water already to help prevent that and that I don't want to use tablets anymore to keep my CYA levels down. He just kinda stared at me and said, well you need two forms of chlorine to prevent against loss - just repeating the same thing again.
I told him I add adequate liquid each day to ensure the proper level.
He just said - well you wouldn't have to add every day and you have extra insurance in case the level gets to low (now more half-heatedly because I stood the confidently answering his question with what I now know are perfectly educated responses)
Just paid for my parts and left with a smile.
Anyway - just had to share.
Devon
So before my remodel, I never understood what backwashing was / did.
I would always just take apart my filter and hose down the grids every time the pressure rose. It was a real PIA.
So now I have read here what back washing is and why you do it.
I ordered a 2" backwash hose and go to attach to bottom of the push/pull slide valve. Huh? nothing to attach it to.
After much research I realize I need to get a union with a slip fitting into the bottom of the slide valve with a threaded fitting on the other side to screw in the reducer so the hose fits over and can be then clamped with the hose clamp which came with it.
(Providing extra detail in case someone else is confused like I was)
Anyway, I go to the pool store to get the union and they tell me they don't recommend backwashing the filter.
I ask why, and the guy says first of all you lose DE when you backwash and you don't know how much more to add, secondly you may blow out the grids with the reverse pressure.
I tell him that means I have to clean the filter at least once a month when my pressure rises 10%.
He said I should only need to clean the filter ever 2-3 months.
So I said but what if the pressure rises before then - he said well then you need to clean it sooner.
He also suggested I get some grid cleaner. I told him I can just clean with muritic acid - what does your stuff have in it - he says, well it contains muritic acid - but heavily diluted. You have to be careful using muritic acid. I said I just would dilute it like 10-1 and soak the grids. He said that this product makes it much easier.
Anyway, I thanked him and was about to pay for my part - and then he ask's
You're using 2 forms of chlorine in your pool right?
I said no, just liquid chlorine.
He said you should really be using 2 forms of chlorine so the sun doesn't burn it off (So. Cal - High 80's already all week)
I told him I have enough conditioner in the water already to help prevent that and that I don't want to use tablets anymore to keep my CYA levels down. He just kinda stared at me and said, well you need two forms of chlorine to prevent against loss - just repeating the same thing again.
I told him I add adequate liquid each day to ensure the proper level.
He just said - well you wouldn't have to add every day and you have extra insurance in case the level gets to low (now more half-heatedly because I stood the confidently answering his question with what I now know are perfectly educated responses)
Just paid for my parts and left with a smile.
Anyway - just had to share.
Devon
