Nasty Black Pool Inherited from Home Purchase

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Good morning, AWT.
Why do you think your filter isn't working?

I don't know enough about DE filters to be much help on that front, but the water in the video you posted looks like its clearing and flowing. You could raise your water level up to the middle of the opening (there's usually an arrow that marks the spot on the plastic) for optimal performance.

The filtering really does take many days no matter the type of filter.

How is the sludge on the bottom...do you get anything with a leaf rake? Does it clog when you vacuum? The more you get out, the faster the chlorine works.

If you get a chance today can you post a pic of the overall water before you stir stuff up dredging? The water on your top stair looks much more clear but its hard to tell overall what the color looks like from afar. So maybe a shot of the whole pool might help.
Algae turns milky and white when dead...pretty sure you've killed some ;)

Sometimes during a slam water can retain a brownish tint if it has iron that has oxidized. When that happens, the water looks "clearer" but you don't see as much color change initially until it has filtered for several days. I can't tell if that's happening in your case or not, but please hang in there -- it gets better, I swear!

We will help you beat this thing ;)
 
I just feel like it is taking FOREVER to clear all of that stuff out. After the pressure builds up to where I need to backwash, I backwash it. Looking through the little sight glass on the side of the multiport it doesn't look like the water is brown like I think it should be. The water isn't clear but it just looks like it is still white DE. I did a lot of backwashing yesterday when I took that video. I have since filled the level back up a little farther up the skimmer.
On a side note I turned my pump off this morning after bringing my FC back up and letting the pump run for 30 mins. So I will see what the water looks like today after letting the stuff settle down. I am also going to see what happens when I vacuum. I am hoping that a lot of that stuff has fallen down to the bottom and I can suck it out.
As far as suction on the skimmers. It is good. I haven't had a problem with that. I waded in the shallow end yesterday :splash: It was FREEZING. I just wanted to see if there was 3 inches of mud on the bottom or something. I didn't really feel anything. I felt some sand and a tiny bit of leaves over in the corner but nothing crazy!
I will post some pics today when I get home. Thanks for the confidence!
 
You really want to keep that pump running 24/7 during a SLAM. The filter should get stuff suspended in the water and anything on the bottom should get vacuumed up when you do it. It took a long time to get in that condition and it's a long slow process to get it clear.

As bad as the water is you may want to consider skimmer socks. I actually purchased two extra skimmer baskets and have socks on all four. During this time of year they actually catch the pollen floating in the water rather than it going to the filter. You may want to try them while you are there working, but I probably wouldn't leave them on while you are not around the pool. They can clog reducing water-flow.
 
AWT, you saw the pics of my pool and know it was black. I can tell you the whole time the water in the site glass on the filter didn't look at all as bad as the pool, so don't take that as an indication ;)

I think it was Mickey b who said she bought a leaf canister for her vacuum and that helped when she was getting the muck out. You might want to consider grabbing one to keep vacuuming the bottom without clogging up te filter so fast, especially if there's still bits of leaves!

Here's what she was talking about: couple of sizes/prices on this page: http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...vptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=t&ref=pd_sl_6n8mki13yt_b

Another thing that helps get the silt out is this: http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...vptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=t&ref=pd_sl_6n8mki13yt_b

-- it works with a garden hose and gets more **** if you line it with pantyhose...nothing goes in the filter, which will conserve your DE.
 
Yeah I don't have a problem with the bleach. It's cheap enough and easy enough to add. I guess my only problem/frustration is the DE. Not knowing how much I am going to go through at $20 a box has me worried. Yesterday I went through three boxes in about 4 hours and honestly didn't see any difference.
Would the water eventually get clear and I could see all of the stuff on the bottom? Or will it never get clear without filtration?
 
Did you verify that the flow is actually being reduced before each of these backwashes? I think I would likely filter longer as long as there is some decent flow making it through the filter.

Have you taken the filter apart and inspected it for damage and clogging? Are you using less than a full dose of DE on every backwash?

With how many times it sounds like you have backwashed and recharged, I think you may want to tear it down for a good cleaning: DE Filter Cleaning Tutorial

Have you read this too?
Use and Care of DE Filters
 
I have torn it down and cleaned it twice now. The only thing I didn't do was a chemical cleaning. I just read about that last night. Yes I am getting reduced flow when I backwash. Usually I start off at about 12psi and end up backwashing at close to 25 when I see the water slow down near the steps coming out of the jet.
Yesterday I took the cover off again and did a quick wash off with a water hose.
My filter is the Hayward 6020 which says 7.5 lbs of DE. I have a special DE scoop and put about 6lbs back into it after backwash.
I have thought about buying new filter grids. With the shape the rest of the pool was in I wouldn't doubt if they need replacing.
Maybe I'll do the chemical cleaning and go from there.
 
I found the the so called DE scoops are not that good at being a pound. Very dependent on how much you settle the powder. But, does not sounds like you are adding too much.

If the flow is being reduced that much, then it must be catching something. Keep the faith.
 
Good news for anyone who is interested. After keeping the pump off all day the water looks a lot better and gave me lots of faith and patience. I also think that cranking it up to mustard algae levels of FC really helped. I am sure the water looks better because everything went to the bottom but at least it made me feel better and raised some hope.
I have since turned the pump back on and continued to keep my FC levels up. I never stopped, just lost hope. Now at least I know that it's just stuff in the water. I didn't take a picture because the sun wasn't too friendly on my phone cam. I will post a picture tomorrow when I get home from work.


I'm on the Pad.
 

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I know you do not want to spend any more money BUT I REALLY think a rented pump that is made for getting stuff (not just water) out would be in your best interest to get ahead of the slime.

I am glad you have hope now. I have always had it but I am not the one doing the work or spending the money.

HUGS! Kim
 
^kim (and AWT) I think AWT was worried both about unknown well capacity and the risk of floating the liner -- at least that was mentioned up-thread.

AWT, if you're able to add water at the same time -- preferably from the front faucet, not the well faucet, what Kim is talking about is renting a trash pump to get the worst of the crud off the bottom. If your water table isn't particularly high, it is possible to drain down a few feet in a vinyl pool without excessive risk to the liner -- but its hard to know that when a house is new to you. (Eg rule of thumb is to always leave a foot or two in the shallow end.)

In my scenario, we were advised against that (water table and unknown well pump capacity.)

But in your case, this may remain an option.

If you can manually get more of the crud off the bottom by vacuuming, using a cheap leaf gulper, etc., you're golden. But given the rate of DE use and cost, if next weekend finds you in a holding pattern, the trash pump is another option you could consider, another arrow in your quiver so to speak.

Some folks have done a complete water change in a vinyl by laying a taped-together sheet of plastic on the top while adding new water and pumping from below. Its rare, but its been done ;) You still have to slam, but obviously its less taxing on the filter.

Either way, Godspeed on slaying the swamp ;)
 
If anywhere in the world is going to have a high water table it would be here. Only a guess on my part but lots of low land in Hampton Roads area!

I really don't know for sure but just my observation.

I'd still try vacuum to waste if there's actual muck at the bottom. I'd just be very wary of how much water you remove at a time.

I like the skimmer sock idea when you're able to monitor it. Might as well filter it from anywhere you can!
 
Vacuumed to waste today. Got a lot of stuff out. Happy about that.
These pictures don't really do it justice. It has taken on this cloudy green clearness which is nice to see. In one of the pics you will see the liner. The fact that you can see that much of the liner is a big deal.

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