Overwhelmed but focused

[fredding79]

Howdy. Frank from South Texas. New home owner with an in ground, 15000 gal (I think), plaster pool.

So far I’ve been cleaning the top water after work daily. I also have a basic vac and hose which is frustrating to use. Researching a robot currently. Today I took my Hayward 4820 apart and cleaned each grille individually, reassembled and then added DE to the skimmer basket. That task wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be. I also received my TF Pro kit today and tested the water. That was a little intimidating but I’m sure it’ll get easier with time. Attached is what I’m dealing with.

 

[pjt]

If you're planning on hanging around, fill out your signature when you have a minute.

So far I’ve been cleaning the top water after work daily.

Your skimmer(s) should be doing that for you.

I also have a basic vac and hose which is frustrating to use. Researching a robot currently.

You'll like the robot. I don't even own a vacuum.

I also received my TF Pro kit today and tested the water.

Fantastic. Your numbers look pretty good if you have a SWCG. CYA is a little high (but manageable) if you don't have one. Add a little MA to bring your pH into the high 7s. Enable "Track CSI" in PoolMath.

How are you chlorinating?

What's your pump runtime/speed?

Pool School

www.troublefreepool.com

ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry

There are several items things every pool owner should know about swimming pool water. We share details on the basics of Pool Water Chemistry.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[fredding79]

I think my water level was too high and not allowing the skimmer to function properly . I drained some today and also adjusted the returns to have better water flow. They were facing down too much I think.

No SWCG
Liquid chlorine

I kick the pump on before bed and off before leaving for work. So 7-8 hrs/day. Not sure the timer is working properly.

 

[pjt]

Do you use the tab feeder at all?

You would benefit from a VSP or a VS replacement motor.

 

[fredding79]

O have not used it. We moved in to the house 4 weeks ago. Previous owner had the pool service company paid up until last week. I decided to dive in and take over. I noticed he had a couple of pucks in the skimmer basket. They finished dissolving yesterday.

VSP is definitely in the plans. I just need to get through this season working with what I have. The goal is to maintain a clean and safe pool for the family and learn along the way. I’ll be leaning on you guys and studying up on different topics.

Any idea why my 2 returns seem to be producing inconsistent flow (a lot of air pockets)? I checked suction side of pump and found nothing obvious. I have a video just not sure how to upload it.

 

[pjt]

I noticed he had a couple of pucks in the skimmer basket. They finished dissolving yesterday.

Just don't add any more tabs (which I think you implied). Your CYA is high.

VSP is definitely in the plans.

VSP will save you a lot of money on electricity and enable much longer run times (many here operate 24/7). Replacing the tab feeder with a SWCG will also save you money, time, and effort.

The goal is to maintain a clean and safe pool for the family

You're on the right track.

Any idea why my 2 returns seem to be producing inconsistent flow (a lot of air pockets)?

Do you see bubbles in the pump basket? Air in the system suggests a suction side air leak.

 

[CreedenceTapes]

Does the air in the returns coincide with vacuuming? If so, are you ensuring that you're getting all of the air out of your vacuum hose before connecting it to suction?

If vacuuming is frustrating, are you remembering to turn off the flow on other suction ports while vacuuming?

 

[fredding79]

Just don't add any more tabs (which I think you implied). Your CYA is high.


VSP will save you a lot of money on electricity and enable much longer run times (many here operate 24/7). Replacing the tab feeder with a SWCG will also save you money, time, and effort.


You're on the right track.


Do you see bubbles in the pump basket? Air in the system suggests a suction side air leak.

I researched SWCG this morning. Interesting concept. I’ll study up in that some more.

No bubbles as far as I can tell. May be a dumb observation, but while I was checking on that, I noticed the pump basket is not totally flooded. Maybe thats normal for a pool pump but I cant see that being true. Almost as if the discharge rate is greater than the suction.

 

[fredding79]

Does the air in the returns coincide with vacuuming? If so, are you ensuring that you're getting all of the air out of your vacuum hose before connecting it to suction?

If vacuuming is frustrating, are you remembering to turn off the flow on other suction ports while vacuuming?

I think the only suction port I have is the skimmer. Not sure what this is though. No suction or discharge. It’s on the wall several feet away from the 2 jets.

 

[CreedenceTapes]

I think the only suction port I have is the skimmer. Not sure what this is though. No suction or discharge. It’s on the wall several feet away from the 2 jets.
View attachment 563720

You probably have a main drain. I turn mine off while vacuuming. In fact, I turn off everything but the skimmer and vacuum through that.

 

[pjt]

Not sure what this is though. No suction or discharge. It’s on the wall several feet away from the 2 jets.

That looks like a suction port for a vacuum or suction side cleaner. However, I don't see any corresponding piping or valves at your equipment pad. Maybe it was abandoned years ago.

I researched SWCG this morning. Interesting concept. I’ll study up in that some more.

SWCG is awesome. There are tens of thousands of SWCG users here, and I don't think you'll find a single one that regrets getting one. There is upfront cost, but the subsequent cost savings and convenience are well worth it.

I noticed the pump basket is not totally flooded. Maybe thats normal for a pool pump but I cant see that being true.

That's unusual. What size pipe do you have on the suction and pressure sides of your system? Any possible blockage on the suction side?

 

[fredding79]

That looks like a suction port for a vacuum or suction side cleaner. However, I don't see any corresponding piping or valves at your equipment pad. Maybe it was abandoned years ago.


SWCG is awesome. There are tens of thousands of SWCG users here, and I don't think you'll find a single one that regrets getting one. There is upfront cost, but the subsequent cost savings and convenience are well worth it.


That's unusual. What size pipe do you have on the suction and pressure sides of your system? Any possible blockage on the suction side?

1.5” both sides. I’m going to troubleshoot some more this weekend. May try to run a fish tape through it and/or a cleaning bladder.

Added some MA today. Numbers are looking better .

 

[fredding79]

You probably have a main drain. I turn mine off while vacuuming. In fact, I turn off everything but the skimmer and vacuum through that.

No main drain.

 

[fredding79]

Snaked the suction line today and found no issues. Also inspected, cleaned and lubed the pump lid and o-ring. Still having an issue with a lot of air in the two returns. Maybe I need to pressure test the suction side? Also, shouldn’t the air relief valve on top of the filter be all water when opened during operation?

 

[CreedenceTapes]

Maybe I need to pressure test the suction side? Also, shouldn’t the air relief valve on top of the filter be all water when opened during operation?

Yeah, the pressure relief valve should be all water if you open it after the pump catches prime.

Pressure testing seems like a logical next step to me if you know that the skimmer is getting enough water and you don't see leaks at the pump. You probably know, but just in case, there's a sweet spot for your water level where it's not so full that the skimmer doesn't skim, but full enough that your pump is getting all of the water it needs. If the skimmer makes a whooshing sound when you've got the lid off or visibly whirlpools, the water is is too low. It will skim great at that level, but the pump will pull air.

 

[fredding79]

Yeah, the pressure relief valve should be all water if you open it after the pump catches prime.

Pressure testing seems like a logical next step to me if you know that the skimmer is getting enough water and you don't see leaks at the pump. You probably know, but just in case, there's a sweet spot for your water level where it's not so full that the skimmer doesn't skim, but full enough that your pump is getting all of the water it needs. If the skimmer makes a whooshing sound when you've got the lid off or visibly whirlpools, the water is is too low. It will skim great at that level, but the pump will pull air.

Thanks. Pressure test is my next step. The skimmer seems to be working fine now. No whirlpool.