Pool Pumps and DE Filter

[sfmadmax]

Hello How is everyone?

I'm a first time poster, i'm new to pool ownership, yet we bought a home a few years ago that had a 18x36 Pool.

Up until now, I sort of paid the pool folks to come out during the spring and do the opening, then learned what i could balancing the pool chemicals, etc. Then had the same company close the pool in the Fall.
Not only is it literally throwing more money away by paying someone to open my pool, i'm really not learning anything. So a few days ago, I said I decided to do it myself. I'm happy to say all is running well and now have some questions.

The house is about 20 yrs old, I'm guessing the Pool System is 15 yrs old or so. (The permits were pulled 5 years after)

I have a Hayward DE 3600, So a few things I learned. This filter really sucks, at least trying to seal it up once you install the filter and o-ring. I had a heck of a time getting the clamp to line up properly so it does not leak, even now it leaked ever so slightly. I had to fit again and I think I got it squared away.

Along with the Hayward Filter I have what appears to be a generic 1HP pool pump , Nothing Fancy, Model## says, UST11002 which is what appears to be the motor, although there is not labeling on the pump and basket itself. I also have a Booster Pump (I use with the Polaris) it's Old, makes a'lot of noise when I run it, but it works. I'm sure there is much better (and more efficient) stuff out there today.


The water in my pool is looking good after opening 3 days ago. It's not super clear , but clear enough to see right to the bottom in the shallow end and you can barely make out the bottom intake at the deep end. So I think it still has a few days to go. The chemicals all balanced out today, (According to the pool dude at the store)

Now, I asked for his recommendation on new pumps, he tried to steer me to a $800 Variable Pump. yaadaa yaddaa yadda... I asked him about the other models they had, and he sort of shy'd away, it was the classic salesman response. I googled the pump he was trying to sell me and it turns out it's $699 on amazon. Pentair 342001 Superflo.

But I guess, I should back up and ask the general audience here. My equipment is all 15 yrs old runs on a 50amp 210v pump. . So , Should I upgrade my pool pump and filter together? I was thinking about getting a newer Hayward DE filter. Which should also improve my water clarity right?

I also have a Acqua Comfort Heat Pump Which I'm guessing was about $2K back in the day, I don't use it much except for maybe the 4th of july party, I'll run it for the weekend and it works fine. It's just my electric bill jumps about $300 ~ $400 when that thing runs for about 4 days straight. So i don't use it much.

I really just want something more modern and efficient.

 

[jblizzle]

Welcome to TFP!!!

When you are putting the lid back on the filter, make sure you have cleaned the large o-ring and then coated it with a teflon or silicone-based grease. Then start the nut and lightly tap around the band with a rubber mallet, then tighten the nut a little more, and then tap around again. Repeat this until the nut is on all the way. It should take very little force on the nut. Do not just try to crank on the nut because they have been known to break.

Do not trust pool store testing. If you want to take control, then invest in one of the recommended test kits and test your own water.
This is a must and then you should post up a full set of test results and let us help you get the pool clean and then maintain it.
Likely you need to follow the SLAM Process to ensure you are starting with sanitized water. Sounds like yours is still cloudy, this is more likely a chemistry problem than a filter problem.

You do not need to replace the pump and filter at the same time ... if they are working, there is no need to replace anyway. One cheaper option would be to just put a 2-speed motor on your existing pump. What is your pool volume? That is what really drives the filter size.

Please put all your pool details in your signature as it will help us help you.

 

[sfmadmax]

Thanks for responding so promptly jblizzle,

Thanks for helping me with the pool filter, I'll go out tomorrow and pick up some teflon grease I did not lube up the o-ring prior to fitment, so that's surely a critical step I missed.

I will read up on SLAM, thank you for guiding me there as I have seen other posts reference this procedure.

I thought I had updated my signature. But here is what I have in my profile: 18x36 Pool Inground, Hayward DE 3600 Filter , w/ Hayward Flo Valve, Generic 1HP UST1102 Pool Pump & Generic Booster Polaris Pump
Pool Volume: my pool is 3ft at the Shallow end and 9ft at the deep end. So does that put me around 29K gallons? Does that help at all?

What benefits will adding a 2 speed motor give me if any, or like you said, don't replace until it breaks

sfmadmax

 

[jblizzle]

Now the signature is showing up.

2-speed allows you to run on low speed for basically everything except backwashing. This will move about 50% of the water as high (or single speed), but will only use 25% of the electricity. So the advantage is saving $ on power. A VS pump would allow you to run even slower as save more $ on electricity, but a new VS pump costs a lot more than just a new 2-speed motor (assuming the rest of the pump is fine).

Not knowing the pool shape and depth profile ... I would guess your volume is around 25k gallons.

Where is Newton? Please add the state to your profile. Depending on your location and season length and debris load, a 60sqft DE filter would be better for that large pool. What you have will work, just will require more frequent cleanings. BTW, we recommend cleaning the filter when the pressure rises 20-25% over the clean pressure.

Since this is all new to you. Check these out:
Use and Care of DE Filters
DE Filter Cleaning Tutorial

 

[sfmadmax]

Thanks Jbizzle, I live in Newton NH.

Tons of Pollen, Tons of Leaves, (I'm in the woods) , Tons of debris etc, I try to run a sock filter on my skimmer every few days to catch all of the fine debris in my water.


I'll clear the filter tomorrow as I've been backwashing when the pressure hit's 19% ~ 20%, so I need to take it off anyways to fix the o-ring, might as well hose down the filter again.
Thanks for all your points, I guess i'll sit tight for now and work on getting the equipment operating to peak performance before jumping to replacing parts.

And go through the DE filter cleaning writeup.

 

[jblizzle]

A lot of members use hairnets in the skimmer basket at all time. They are so cheap on amazon, that they just pull them out and throw them away and put a new one in.

With your small filter, I would highly recommend trying this to keep the larger debris out of the filter.

 

[sfmadmax]

Just want to say thanks to Jason for his help last night,

After doing some reading on all the recommended links, SLAM , DE Filter Maintenance etc. I'm happy to report that I appear to be in great shape now. My pressure gauge is pegged at about 10psi, It's never run consistently for a full day, at 10psi.

My filter needed a good cleaning, I took off the cover and low and behold it was green and bogus. I opened the filter drain valve and gave it a good 30 minute rinse off with the hose and made sure I got all the DE out. After it was clean I started over again, measured out 4.5 lbs of DE on the scoop and created a slurry then poured it in.

Capped off the cover with some silicone spray on the o-ring and the clamp did not have to be tightened as much this time. No leaks.

I took off the pressure gauge, put some new plumbers tape around the threads and sprayed the end of the needle with silicone spray too. Since water was dripping out of the end. Fired up the pump, let the air bleed out and close up the valve. Looks to be 100% leak free from the filter.

Popped a sock filter on the skimmer too and sure enough it's catching all the ultra fine garbage. After running for about 2 hours with the sock filter the pool is already starting to improve. And the returns are strong as they have ever been.

I'm doing the bucket test tonight just for safety, because all in all, I think I wasted a'lot of water back washing the filter so much, on top of the normal evaporation.

 

[jblizzle]

Glad I could help ... could not have done it without you

FYI, I assume you mean the pressure is 10psi (not 10%). That is your new clean pressure. When the pressure rises 20-25% (maybe 13psi), then it is time to backwash the filter again.

 

[sfmadmax]

Glad I could help ... could not have done it without you

FYI, I assume you mean the pressure is 10psi (not 10%).

Yea, you were right my bad, i'm a software engineer too.. shame on me. I fixed the post