Need help choosing a second filter for vacuuming

[Schwim Dandy]

Maybe try to carefully but quickly vac to waste so you don’t overwhelm the filter. If at all possible you could attempt to slowly brush the sediment to one spot so you can get the bulk of it quickly with the vac without losing too much water.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET) is the most commonly used thermoplastic polymer in the world and is better known in the textile industry by the trade name “polyester.”
No matter the media - follow the 25% over clean pressure rule.
If I waited until my psi was 25 my filter would probably blow up & I would have zero flow.
My clean pressure is 10

I had to put more water in the pool today so I could backflush, so a bit more nasty stuff to clean up. I'll try sweeping it to the center as you suggest and condense the vacuum time.

I backflushed for 1 minute and the pressure dropped 5 pounds, from 20 to 15. The sight glass was completely clear so I didn't think continuing would do any good. I've no doubt I'll need to do it again right after vacuuming.

My test kit shipped yesterday so I should have it at the beginning of the week. I'll do a full test and see what needs to happen.

Do I need to continue with one bottle of bleach per day until I've gotten my first test under my belt?

 

[kimkats]

I would put the chlorine in the pool to keep it from getting worst. Did you make a filter using polyfiber to try to filter out the yuck from you well?

 

[Schwim Dandy]

I would put the chlorine in the pool to keep it from getting worst. Did you make a filter using polyfiber to try to filter out the yuck from you well?

I've got some strainer socks that I'm going to use to try to capture the worst of it.

I've got a good feeling about it all

 

[Mdragger88]

I had to put more water in the pool today so I could backflush, so a bit more nasty stuff to clean up. I'll try sweeping it to the center as you suggest and condense the vacuum time.

I backflushed for 1 minute and the pressure dropped 5 pounds, from 20 to 15. The sight glass was completely clear so I didn't think continuing would do any good. I've no doubt I'll need to do it again right after vacuuming.

Don’t forget to also rinse - with sand you do this until there’s no sand in the sight glass but not sure about with the balls . A minute may be plenty.

My test kit shipped yesterday so I should have it at the beginning of the week. I'll do a full test and see what needs to happen.

Great

Do I need to continue with one bottle of bleach per day until I've gotten my first test under my belt?

Yes- add it each day. This is to replenish what is lost by the sun & work on any possible organics to keep things from getting worse until you can test & see where you stand.

 

[Brian PacNW]

We’re rooting for you! Looking forward to the your progress.

 

[Mdragger88]

I've got some strainer socks that I'm going to use to try to capture the worst of it.

I've got a good feeling about it all

I guess you mean skimmer socks?
If so, Try putting one on the return as well - a rubber band ought to do the trick to hold it to the eyeball. Like this then screw it back in. You can shove some polyfill in it first if you want just don’t make it too thick.

I would keep one in the skimmer all the time until the muck is cleared up. You’ll need to check it regularly so you don’t accidentally starve your pump or break the skimmer basket if it gets clogged.

 

[Schwim Dandy]

Don’t forget to also rinse - with sand you do this until there’s no sand in the sight glass but not sure about with the balls . A minute may be plenty.

So backwash cycle until clear then rinse cycle until clear before going back to filter?

 

[Schwim Dandy]

Got my kit today but it seems I'm going to have to send it back. The tests require R-0001 and R-0002 chemicals but the kit didn't come with them(pictures attached) unless I'm missing something.
I did get three R-0013, so maybe two of those were supposed to be my missing chemicals.

Can I perhaps use those two chemicals from my other kit or would that knock the tests out of whack?

 

[Newdude]

The tests require R-0001 and R-0002

They are for the comparator block test which isn't what we prefer anyway.

We prefer the r-0870 powder and the r-0871 drops. Use a 10ml sample, a heaping scoop of powder and each drop is 1/2 FC. Immediately after it goes clear, add 5 drops of R-0003. If there's any pink again, add drops of R-0871 again at 1/2 FC per drop to get your CCs.

If you let this test sit, it will usually go pink again. That part doesn't count. Get your 'clear' and the test is over.

 

[Schwim Dandy]

They are for the comparator block test which isn't what we prefer anyway.

We prefer the r-0870 powder and the r-0871 drops. Use a 10ml sample, a heaping scoop of powder and each drop is 1/2 FC. Immediately after it goes clear, add 5 drops of R-0003. If there's any pink again, add drops of R-0871 again at 1/2 FC per drop to get your CCs.

If you let this test sit, it will usually go pink again. That part doesn't count. Get your 'clear' and the test is over.

I think I understand your instructions except for what FC stands for. That part I'm not understanding.

 

[Newdude]

I think I understand your instructions except for what FC stands for. That part I'm not understanding

Free chlorine. The fas/dpd powder version of the chlorine test is our preferred way of doing it.

 

[Mdragger88]

So backwash cycle until clear then rinse cycle until clear before going back to filter?

Yes

 

[Mdragger88]

I think I understand your instructions except for what FC stands for. That part I'm not understanding.

Fc is free chlorine (good stuff)
Cc is combined chlorine (bad stuff)
FC + Cc = TC (total chlorine)
Fas dpd gives you fc then cc readings so you can tell what’s going on & how much good or bad stuff.
The OTO test (yellow drops) only tests TC so you can’t tell whats what.

 

[Schwim Dandy]

Alright got my first test under my belt, here's the link: PoolMath Logs

 

[Mdragger88]

Great
Lower ph to 7.2 with acid.
Then Get fc up to
SLAM Process
level for your cya (20ppm) with liquid chlorine
FC/CYA Levels
Use PoolMath to calculate amounts.
Keep filtering with the filter & the polyfill.
How’s the water looking? Is it still green/brown? Cloudy?

Are you catching any iron with the filter or polyfill?
Pics are helpful to see progress- maybe one with a pole in the water to help see the clarity.

 

[phonedave]

I've got some strainer socks that I'm going to use to try to capture the worst of it.

I've got a good feeling about it all

Slime Bags

Am I the only person who uses these?

Put one on your fill hose when you fill

Put one on your return when you vaccumm.

Enjoy clear water - provided of course that you follow all the other advice given here about managing the chemistry of your water.

Slime Bags

 

[kellyfair]

Am I the only person who uses these?

I’ve never used one, but I do tell others about them, based on your recommendation!

 

[Schwim Dandy]

Hello there everyone!

I've not forgotten my duties, we've had a crew building a deck around the pool for the last couple weeks and I've been unable to start the SLAM process, I've only been adding bleach, cleaning strainers, backwashing and did a vacuum in the time since we last talked.

Here's a shot of the water, using the ladder as a backdrop to see the lack of clarity. I would call it blue but murky with a scum layer of lumber dust floating on top. I've got the next two days sans workers so I'm going to do a test first thing in the morning and see where I stand.