I just opened my pool. I started last week by changing the DE filter grids as one had a hole. I got Pleatco PFS3060 60 Sq. Ft. Complete DE Filter Grid Set. I had taken apart to wash and put together the old grids once last year. This time it was much smoother process. The only thing that I didn't feel completely comfortable with is the 2 or 1.5" connection from the filter to the manifold. I think this is just for backwash. It didn't slide all the way down. I think there was about 1/4" it might of gone down more. I would push it and it would just come back up. So I don't know if that is an issue.
Fast forward to today and I did the rest of the opening as follows:
1. lubed all the o rings and thread. The pump top one. The filter one. The waste basket one. The pump valve at the bottom. Pretty much if it has a thread or an oring I cleaned it (sometimes with a wipe or just a paper towel) and lubed it. I tried not to wipe the orings.
2. Open up all the returns (3) and the 1 skimmer line. Opening the 2 level vsalve on the skimmer line (anthony style pool) was a bit difficult. I had the pump top closed at first so I opened that to relief pressure but still seemed a bit tough. But I am more inclined to say it was just the freezing water and sharp metal ring on it that made it uncomfortable. Chlorinator was not hooked up yet. Water had dirt and leaves in it so it looked a bit dirty but it was normal or better than normal actually. Water was freezing to touch.
3. I used my vacuum to clean the pool floor. I set the valve to waste. Removed pump basket. I had left the filter bottom open just to make sure no water was going to the filter. Everything looked good. I removed leaf's, worms and dirt.
4. Removed vacuum. Put back pump basket. Set valve to filter. And started the pump.
Here is when the problem started as the filter pressure remained at 0. I also seemed to get micro bubbles after like 5-10 minutes of running. The pressure on the returns didn't seem as normal as last year, but the water is freezing and i'm not sure I was able to feel as much as when the water is warm. The pump looked good. The skimmer looked good. Opening the valve by the pressure gauge removed air but it seemed to take longer then normal and when I finally got water I don't think it was as strong as usual. Usually it gushes out and gets everything wet. This time it was a good stream but a bit on the controlled side. I got worried something got stuck on the lines, so I ended up blowing out the skimmer line first and then the returns from the lines at the pump.. I have a cyclone and the air pressure was as crazy as normal and nothing came out of the lines. I changed hte pressure gauge once and the new one seemed to go up slightly for a second but it went back to 0 and so I changed it back to the old one. Finally, I let the pump run for a bit and it seemed okay and I couldn't think of any issue.
5. Put in robot to clean the bottom.
6. Added 8 scoops of DE as I have weighed my scoop in the past at .8 lbs. Didn't notice any DE coming out of the returns. But later on I feel like the water was a little cloudy. Still the pressure is zero.
7. Put in the chlorinator with about 6 tabs as I am expecting my water to have 0 cya.
So now I am letting the pump run for a bit and I still see some micro bubbles. I am constantly opening up the pressure valve on top of filter to let out air. It seems to have more air then usual, but I am trying so many things that I am not sure it just not me letting air back in. Its almost night now so I am about to start the shock process with liquid chlorine but I am very concerned about the zero pressure on the gauge. Everything else looks okayish to me and I probably wouldn't have worried about anything else.. Any ideas?
Fast forward to today and I did the rest of the opening as follows:
1. lubed all the o rings and thread. The pump top one. The filter one. The waste basket one. The pump valve at the bottom. Pretty much if it has a thread or an oring I cleaned it (sometimes with a wipe or just a paper towel) and lubed it. I tried not to wipe the orings.
2. Open up all the returns (3) and the 1 skimmer line. Opening the 2 level vsalve on the skimmer line (anthony style pool) was a bit difficult. I had the pump top closed at first so I opened that to relief pressure but still seemed a bit tough. But I am more inclined to say it was just the freezing water and sharp metal ring on it that made it uncomfortable. Chlorinator was not hooked up yet. Water had dirt and leaves in it so it looked a bit dirty but it was normal or better than normal actually. Water was freezing to touch.
3. I used my vacuum to clean the pool floor. I set the valve to waste. Removed pump basket. I had left the filter bottom open just to make sure no water was going to the filter. Everything looked good. I removed leaf's, worms and dirt.
4. Removed vacuum. Put back pump basket. Set valve to filter. And started the pump.
Here is when the problem started as the filter pressure remained at 0. I also seemed to get micro bubbles after like 5-10 minutes of running. The pressure on the returns didn't seem as normal as last year, but the water is freezing and i'm not sure I was able to feel as much as when the water is warm. The pump looked good. The skimmer looked good. Opening the valve by the pressure gauge removed air but it seemed to take longer then normal and when I finally got water I don't think it was as strong as usual. Usually it gushes out and gets everything wet. This time it was a good stream but a bit on the controlled side. I got worried something got stuck on the lines, so I ended up blowing out the skimmer line first and then the returns from the lines at the pump.. I have a cyclone and the air pressure was as crazy as normal and nothing came out of the lines. I changed hte pressure gauge once and the new one seemed to go up slightly for a second but it went back to 0 and so I changed it back to the old one. Finally, I let the pump run for a bit and it seemed okay and I couldn't think of any issue.
5. Put in robot to clean the bottom.
6. Added 8 scoops of DE as I have weighed my scoop in the past at .8 lbs. Didn't notice any DE coming out of the returns. But later on I feel like the water was a little cloudy. Still the pressure is zero.
7. Put in the chlorinator with about 6 tabs as I am expecting my water to have 0 cya.
So now I am letting the pump run for a bit and I still see some micro bubbles. I am constantly opening up the pressure valve on top of filter to let out air. It seems to have more air then usual, but I am trying so many things that I am not sure it just not me letting air back in. Its almost night now so I am about to start the shock process with liquid chlorine but I am very concerned about the zero pressure on the gauge. Everything else looks okayish to me and I probably wouldn't have worried about anything else.. Any ideas?
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