Pool is a swamp! Only about 18-24” of water...

[ladyxtine]

Hello all!

i am new to pool ownership. We have a round above ground pool with a vinyl liner. I think it is some where between 15000-17000 gallons.

Last year was the first year of having a pool and we were fighting algae the whole summer. At the end of the season, our pump no longer pumped. So we used a submersible pump to drain some of the water out. Unfortunately there was a really good vacuum when we unplugged the submersible pump, so the pool ended up with about a food or so of water. We did not cover the pool either. Luckily for us it has been a fairly wet winter and spring and the water level is now about 18-24”.

The water is a nasty swampy brown color. I have gotten the majority of the large leaves out and there is a lot of decaying matter as well as algae in the bottom of the pool.

Using a fine net leaf rake is not pulling up much from the bottom other than a small layer of green slime, which ends up sticking to the leaf rake and then going back into the water.

Im planning on purchasing a new pump either this or next weekend. Then also scheduling the water delivery to fill up the pool.

I am planning on continuing my efforts to get all the muck out of the pool. Is there anything I can put in the pool in the mean time prior to getting the new pump which can help defeat some of the live algae?

Your advice is greatly appreciated

 

[jblizzle]

Welcome to TFP!!!

I would highly recommend your next step is to invest in one of the Recommended Test Kits before your pool get filled up. I suggest the TF-100 with the XL option since you will be dealing with algae. And the SpeedStir is very helpful if you can cover it.

If you can get a better discription of the pool, like measuring the diameter and measureing the current depth, we can figure out how much water is in it now and suggest an amount of bleach you can add each day, brushing it around to mix it.

Ultimately when you get it full and the equipment running, you will need to follow the SLAM Process process.

You may want to start reading some of Pool School yet? Start with these:
ABCs of Water Chemistry
Recommended Pool Chemicals
How to Chlorinate Your Pool

Also please add your pool details to your signature as described HERE as it will help us help you.

 

[zea3]

Hi, welcome to TFP! If you can pull up a sample of water to test the CYA level and report the result we could tell you how much plain, unscented liquid bleach to add to the water. After adding the bleach you would brush the pool to mix it in. Do you have well water? Since you are having water trucked in you won't want to lose a lot of it by vacuuming to waste. Vacuuming to waste would be the easiest way to get rid of the muck.

If you could, please complete your signature with the type of pool, pump brand and size, filter brand, type, and size, and any other features unique to your pool. It will help us to answer your questions in the future.

 

[Kiss4aFrog]

Welcome to TFP ladyxtine

Get a good test kit as mentioned above and add your pools info to your signature as outlined here --> Pool School - Getting Started

and then some reading of those links in jblizzle's response.

 

[ladyxtine]

To answer a few of the questions, yes we are on a well with a lot of metals. We use the rust prevention in our water softener.

I wouldnt mind doing a waste vacuum but can that be done with a broken pump? Or will I need to replace the pump prior to vacuuming?

i will get the rest of the details on water levels, full dimensions of the pool, etc.

husband saw how long its taking me to use the leaf rakes to get all the nasty out the nasty out of the pool and suggested we just drain it all out, then use squeegees and towels to clean the rest of the muck out. I feel like that will take more time.

 

[jblizzle]

If you drain the pool, you will likely destroy the liner. They tend to shrink and then not stretch back out when you refill.

 

[ladyxtine]

ok. So I got some of the information for the pool

currently have about 16” of water. We are on a well system, so I don’t want fill the pool with our well water.

here is the rest of the specs which I have added to my signature.

26’ Round Pool, 4ft Deep - about 16000 gallons
Waterway Clearwater II Cartridge Filter - 200 sq ft
2 Speed 2 HP pump, 120 gph - Not working. Looking for suggestions to replace.
Frog Leap Remineralization system - questionable due to all the algae issues

 

[jblizzle]

Have you ordered the test kit yet?

You have about 5200 gallons of water in the pool now. So you could add about 3 cups of bleach every day and brush it around. Likely more if you could do any kind of testing.

 

[splashpad]

Do you have a picture of the pool, per chance?

There are definitely many ideas for a new pump, would you want to upgrade to a sand filter/pump combo?!

Here is some info to consider:
Pool School - Pump Basics

 

[ladyxtine]

Hello all!

purchased my test kit. It should be on its way and here hopefully some time next week.

Someone requested pictures of the pool so here they are:

Wide shot

Edge of the pool

 

[splashpad]

You'll have sparkly water for summer soon!

Can you source a submersible pump until you get a full pool pump/filter replacement? If the water is at least 24" deep, you can add 16oz day 10% liquid chlorine as long as you have a way to circulate the water (otherwise, you can even manually with pool tool)

 

[ladyxtine]

I have a submersible pump. Would I use that to circulate the water by putting it in the water without a exit hose and letting it just pump through the water that way? That would make sense.

I have been putting chlorine until my test kit in and then hopefully I will be able to get some water parameters.

I also found a vacuum at Menards that uses the water hose to create suction and vacuum the water that way. I’m not sure if it will get all the particulate out that I need but I will try it once the weather breaks again.

Also, I took apart my canister filter Yesterday and it was all full of muck. What is the best way to clean it out? I am going to use a hose to wash it all out but I don’t know if I should go in with towels and wipe everything out as well

 

[splashpad]

I have a submersible pump. Would I use that to circulate the water by putting it in the water without a exit hose and letting it just pump through the water that way? That would make sense.

Yup! As long as it can handle some small solids (most can), also if you can get a $1 basket from a dollar store, that will protect your liner from accidentally getting sucked into the pump. https://www.dollartree.com/Round-Plastic-Storage-Baskets-11-/p177485/index.pro (make sure it's large enough for the sump pump to sit in flat, I use one of their laundry baskets)

I have been putting chlorine until my test kit in and then hopefully I will be able to get some water parameters.

Awesome!

I also found a vacuum at Menards that uses the water hose to create suction and vacuum the water that way. I’m not sure if it will get all the particulate out that I need but I will try it once the weather breaks again.

For liner safety, you don't want to drain until the water delivery is there

Also, I took apart my canister filter Yesterday and it was all full of muck. What is the best way to clean it out? I am going to use a hose to wash it all out but I don’t know if I should go in with towels and wipe everything out as well

Can you post a picture? If it's plastic, a strong diluted bleach cleaning solution can be used to scrub it inside/out, it wouldn't need to be "dried"

 

[ladyxtine]

Wow did I have an adventure tonight.

Got my test kit yesterday but due to all the rain we had all day, I did not get out to test.

I tested the water today. This was before I added my daily dose of chlorine.

PH - 8.2
FC - 0.5 ppm
CC - 0.5 ppm
TC - 1.0
CH - 250 ppm
TA - 260
CYA - 0

We still have not added water, so the water level is still about 16. Not sure how much the rain water added. I forgot to measure the water height while I was in there.

Added my 3 cups of 12.5% pool shock from Menards.

Decided the best way to circulate the water was to put on my waders and climb on in. Spent about an hour mucking around in the pool, sweeping, netting leaves, moving everything around.

After I was done mucking around, I tested the Chlorine again.

FC - 1.5ppm
CC - 1.0ppm
TC - 2.5

Decided to add another 3 cups of chlorine and then called it a night.

I’m going to try to get in and test the water again tomorrow but not sure if I will get to it.

The nice thing is that the water is starting to turn green instead of nasty brown!

Also, I took out the filter cartdrige and it’s covered in all the dead algae from last year. Started rinsing it out but not sure if it will still be good. I will take and post a picture of that and the filter set up tomorrow. I ran out of light this evening.

 

[kellyfair]

Good move putting on the waders! Wish someone had taken a photo of that!

Yep, the more garbage you clear out of there, the more your chlorine can focus on algae.

 

[splashpad]

Wow did I have an adventure tonight.

Got my test kit yesterday but due to all the rain we had all day, I did not get out to test.

I tested the water today. This was before I added my daily dose of chlorine.

PH - 8.2
FC - 0.5 ppm
CC - 0.5 ppm
TC - 1.0
CH - 250 ppm
TA - 260
CYA - 0

We still have not added water, so the water level is still about 16. Not sure how much the rain water added. I forgot to measure the water height while I was in there.

Added my 3 cups of 12.5% pool shock from Menards.

Decided the best way to circulate the water was to put on my waders and climb on in. Spent about an hour mucking around in the pool, sweeping, netting leaves, moving everything around.

After I was done mucking around, I tested the Chlorine again.

FC - 1.5ppm
CC - 1.0ppm
TC - 2.5

Decided to add another 3 cups of chlorine and then called it a night.

I’m going to try to get in and test the water again tomorrow but not sure if I will get to it.

The nice thing is that the water is starting to turn green instead of nasty brown!

Yay for results and Nicely done!

Also, I took out the filter cartdrige and it’s covered in all the dead algae from last year. Started rinsing it out but not sure if it will still be good. I will take and post a picture of that and the filter set up tomorrow. I ran out of light this evening.

If it's the "disposable" cartridges, I would personally throw it out and replace it, unless it's cleanable. You could try soaking it in a diluted bleach solution

 

[ladyxtine]

Advice Needed - Looking to replace entire Pump and Filter System

Hello all!

I am finally trying to get a handle on all this pool stuff. We had our first year with a pool last year, came with the house we purchased. Husband and I decided that we are going to replace the whole pump/filter system this way we know what's going on and can get all the plumbing pieces set up correctly and knowledgeable on the system we have.

Our current pump went out at the end of last summer. It was a full set up system with a cartridge filter. See below in my signature for the details.

Our pool is a vinyl 26' round pool, approximately 16000 gallons.

I am looking for suggestions of a pump/filter system for the pool. As i'm doing more reading, I think I am leaning towards a sand filter system. There are so many out on the market, so I'm having a difficult time deciding due to all the options.

I know I am looking for a sand tank of approximately 24" or so, with a variable speed pool pump so we can vacuum and do other cleaning with it.

Are there any suggestions of brands or companies whose products are rated well? Husband and I really don't have a set price point, but know that this is something we are not trying to deal with many times over the next few years.

Any input you have would be greatly appreciated!

 

[CJadamec]

Re: Advice Needed - Looking to replace entire Pump and Filter System

A 24" sand filter is a good size for your pool and brand of sand filter isn't all that important. Don't let any of the hype about sand alternatives catch your eye just plain old filter sand is all you need.

If you are looking to go VS on the pump a Superflo VS is another good choice. Any of the other 1.5ish HP VS pumps will work fine as well I'm a little biased to the pump I own but it does work very well for me.

While you are at it grab yourself a good test kit like the TF-100 and get rid of that darned frog system. Those mineral systems just cause problems, waste money, and don't work.

 

[ladyxtine]

Some Updates to my Green Swamp

Hi All!

So the husband and I decided to move forward and order a new pool filter and pump. We ended up going with a Pentair Triton 24" Sand Filter and Pentair Superflow Variable Speed pump. Those items should be getting delivered tomorrow or Friday. We are getting rid of the Frog Leap system, as I'm guessing it was the cause of all of our never ending algae issues last year. Who would have thought that us accidentally draining out 75% of our pool water in the winter was actually a blessing in disguise.

I've been doing a lot via daily chlorinating, netting any small/large debris that is sinking, as well as trying to give the water a good stir whenever I am chlorinating. We have gone from icky brown, to now a half clear/half pea soup green pool. We have a lot of pollen currently, so I'm doing what I can to get things netted out.

The water to fill the pool will be arriving for sure on Monday.

Now here are the million dollar questions.

Since we get water delivered, what is the best way to vacuum to waste without wasting the water? Has anyone had any luck with a vacuum sock/slime bag?

Are there any recommendations for a fine mesh net to manually net out all the dead algae, pollen, etc that gets into the pool? I tried one fine mesh net that is awful on Amazon, so I want to see if anyone else has any suggestions.

We will be replacing all the plumbing for the pump/filter so if anyone has an good posts to suggest on the plumbing of those items, I would greatly appreciate it.

Once we have the filter/pump set up and the pool filled up, how long should I run everything before I really test the water parameters? I will likely end up slamming the pool once we are all set up to ensure all the algae is dead and gone.

Thanks again! I'm a believer in the TFP System and I think I'm slowly convincing my husband as well!


Photo of pool from last Thursday. I will try to add another tonight if the rain holds out to see where I am now

 

[splashpad]

To save water and $$, funandsun and madyogi and myself, all use Duda diesel fuel filter bags, they figured out to hose-clamp the bags to elbow for full filtering effect, you vacuum on Recirculate, the water doesn't enter the filter media and no loss due to backwash/waste/rinse water