Reviving out of service pool: FG & deck Refresh

[dianedebuda]

I love my DE filter.

We are quite happy with the one we have too, but have never been able to find a gasket and it is starting to show a couple of rust spots after 40 years. Was thinking about cartridge after reading how many here like them; that type of filter was not that great when we installed the pool so DE was the only way to go. After looking at the cartridge units, I beginning to think they're going to be too hard for us to open and remove to clean - hubby can't lift an arm over shoulder height and I don't want to be the only one who can do it.

I am curious what you find when you get it drained Hopefully nothing major

The pool is fiberglass and we're on a well, so I doubt that we'll drain it for cleaning. I'll be surprised if there will much more than leaves and decomposed leaves down there... but a buck with a rack did jump into the clean pool one night & die a number of years ago. That was fun.

Unless your doing some sort of automation ( I don't ) look at Saltwater Swimming Pool Systems & Supplies | Discount Salt Pool Lots of us have Circupool SWG. You want twice the pool size, maybe the RJ-60?
Robot if you have the funding, sounds like you have a polaris..Robot is like vacuuming your pool vs sweeping But I get it you have one that works

We're planning some automation since solar & an SWG are in the plans. Although we have a never used Polaris 3900 Sport (not 3600 as I wrote in the other thread), the robots look SO much better that we're planning on some flavor of Nautilus based on posts here. Only thing of concern there is figuring out how to lift it out of the pool if my back is kicking up. I'm sure we can create some kind of hoist. Just a thought: could the robot be used during the SLAM so I don't have to manually clean or would the chlorine level damage it?

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Nope, not going to get to the pool today - 2 hrs with the chainsaw on the drive was enough.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[markayash]

I agree, if your concerned about lifting cartridges so with a DE, they aren't heavy clean and dry but wet and dirty they can be. BUT if you buy big enough maybe once or twice a year.
I had a polaris 360 that ran off pool pump pressure and bought a dolphin Pentair SE ( s200 ) and highly recommend it..$699 from a dealer on this site and you won't regret it..See my profile picture, shows how it climbs the walls and cleans the tiles And drives my dog nuts ! You can put in automation mode and turn on and off but just killing and adding power which is great

 

[dianedebuda]

I imagine it's not usual here to be happy to see black water, but in this case What's left is mostly too small for the net.


Thinking more about equipment:
Pump: It seems to me that a VS pump would be our best choice because we'll need different speeds for SWG, solar and maybe those seat air jets. Sound right? Pick of litter seems to be Pentair?

Automation: Trying to figure out if "automation" is really what I want. I have no need for remote web nor voice control. Only things that I can think of that would be nice to do from a computer or remote is turn seat air jets and pool light on/off. Need to program pump, but can do that natively, right? Solar would need something and my existing control (Goldline GL-235) is not designed for a VS pump AFAIK. Looking at the CircuPool SWG that markayash mentioned and they have their own controller - what would automation here buy me?

Robot cleaner: Still would like to know if this could be used during a SLAM

 

[markayash]

Lets others confirm on robot during a SLAM but if you get a SWG and take care hopefully you won't SLAM again..Thast what I am hoping for
I leave my robot in the pool 24x7 and will only take it out when swimming

 

[kimkats]

WOW! You have been on quite a ride with you health and life. Glad things are looking up now!

Robot during a SLAM.......that is a LOT of money to being throwing into some harsh water. It can be used during a SLAM BUT it might not live as long if you do so.........I would not do so.

Good job getting that top cleaned up!!! That will grow some good 'maters!
Have you scooped the bottom at all? Do you have any teens in your area that you could pay to jump into the pool to scoop the bottom for a few bucks.

Kim

 

[dianedebuda]

Did my first bottom scoop today, about 1/2 of the shallow end. Definitely got some heavy, full nets at first and ended up filling the FEL (tractor's front end loader) full load of leaves, twigs and muck. Plan to tackle the other side tomorrow. If I'm lucky, I'll have the shallow end down to a dull roar (but by no means fully cleared) by the time my heavy duty pole for the deep end arrives on Tues. Actually can see the second step/seat that runs the width of the pool through the reddish brown water.

Already got the 'maters - if you look at the first pic, you'll see inhabited tomato cages at the far end of the pool.

Part of the problem in getting older - most everyone I know is in worse physical shape than I am, has moved or died. And we're somewhat reclusive. Only teenagers that I know disdain any kind of physical labor. Even the local pool guy that showed up didn't seem exactly excited by the prospect of working on my pool.

Sure wish I could get some feedback on the pump & automation. My gut feeling is that I'm going to end up with this as a DIY project because of the lack of interest from the pool service companies.

 

[kimkats]

I will call in a couple of equipment guys to help you out with that. I can BLING out a pool and guide/cheerlead a clean out. The equipment is not my strong point. @Jimrahbe @jimmythegreek @ajw22 can you help her out pretty please!!

 

[jimmythegreek]

If you want bang for the buck get a Hayward tristar VS and buy an aquaplus bundle with a T15 cell size. If you shop it you can find for about 2k overall. You would only need a wifi module should you want that feature. With that panel you can control everything easily and automated including the solar. Great reliable setup. You will have to push a button to switch to spa mode. I prefer adding a auxiliary screen panel somewhere it has the same buttons and screen as the panel and they are pretty reasonable.

 

[dianedebuda]

Not sure if I should post this in this thread so all is kept together or start a new thread in Pumps. Want to make it the easiest for equip/plumbing folk so they don't have to wade through a lot of unrelated verbage.

Plumbing question: Original build had a few spa-type type jets along one side of the shallow end seating section. To operate, we would put the system into Recirc mode then turn on the blower. Pump was a 1 hp Hayward; pipe is 1-1/2". With a VS speed pump, could I skip the Recirc mode, increase the pump speed and then turn on blower? Here's what I have about the orig configuration

 

[kimkats]

Not sure if I should post this in this thread so all is kept together or start a new thread in Pumps.

Lets leave it here. @jimmythegreek is already here and I bet the others will pop in when they can. I am also going to ping @bdavis466 for his input on the above question.

 

[carnivalday]

Im absolutely no help to you other than to fill the peanut gallery seats. This will be a fun project to watch (easy for me to say, I know).

 

[Metalman23]

We are quite happy with the one we have too, but have never been able to find a gasket and it is starting to show a couple of rust spots after 40 years. Was thinking about cartridge after reading how many here like them; that type of filter was not that great when we installed the pool so DE was the only way to go. After looking at the cartridge units, I beginning to think they're going to be too hard for us to open and remove to clean - hubby can't lift an arm over shoulder height and I don't want to be the only one who can do it.

The pool is fiberglass and we're on a well, so I doubt that we'll drain it for cleaning. I'll be surprised if there will much more than leaves and decomposed leaves down there... but a buck with a rack did jump into the clean pool one night & die a number of years ago. That was fun.

We're planning some automation since solar & an SWG are in the plans. Although we have a never used Polaris 3900 Sport (not 3600 as I wrote in the other thread), the robots look SO much better that we're planning on some flavor of Nautilus based on posts here. Only thing of concern there is figuring out how to lift it out of the pool if my back is kicking up. I'm sure we can create some kind of hoist. Just a thought: could the robot be used during the SLAM so I don't have to manually clean or would the chlorine level damage it?

-------------

Nope, not going to get to the pool today - 2 hrs with the chainsaw on the drive was enough.

Thanks for the feedback!

I'm on a well, I drained my vinyl pool down to just the hopper, and refilled it from the well in 4 days, probably 20k gallons, I was keeping it at about 3 gallons per minute to not suck air in the well pump.

If it was me I'd try to drain from the bottom, and refill from the well at the same time, draining the muck, and filling with clean water, will help dilute all the nasty

 

[dianedebuda]

If it was me I'd try to drain from the bottom, and refill from the well at the same time

Perhaps you missed that I don't have a working pump at this point. And draining from the main with the quantity of muck that is likely to exist even with my best removal efforts would be begging for trouble. I do plan to get a sump pump and drain some after getting most of what I can off the bottom in order to replumb the below-skimmer-level equipment area. But it's easier to lift heavily laden, wet leaf bags with the water level high - so any draining is on hold for now. But thanks for sharing.

Edit: When I say muck, I'm meaning the consistancy of mud, not just dirty water.

If you want bang for the buck get a Hayward tristar VS and buy an aquaplus bundle with a T15 cell size.

I'll start researching those. Thanks!

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Scooped the other half of the shallow end this morning. Only about half the amount of debris as was extracted from the 1st half. Guess it makes sense - I'd started to scoop 2 years ago (note my join date) and only got about a day's worth of work done before my dad had a stroke. Would like to do more this afternoon, but have to be practical and limit how much my back can take. 'Sides that, my shoulders & arms are SO sore.

Have a nice Easter, y'all. ?

 

[kimkats]

'Sides that, my shoulders & arms are SO sore.

I have something for that! See if that helps!!

Do what you can when you can and it will get done!

 

[Metalman23]

Perhaps you missed that I don't have a working pump at this point. And draining from the main with the quantity of muck that is likely to exist even with my best removal efforts would be begging for trouble. I do plan to get a sump pump and drain some after getting most of what I can off the bottom in order to replumb the below-skimmer-level equipment area. But it's easier to lift heavily laden, wet leaf bags with the water level high - so any draining is on hold for now. But thanks for sharing.

Edit: When I say muck, I'm meaning the consistancy of mud, not just dirty water.

I'll start researching those. Thanks!

----------

Scooped the other half of the shallow end this morning. Only about half the amount of debris as was extracted from the 1st half. Guess it makes sense - I'd started to scoop 2 years ago (note my join date) and only got about a day's worth of work done before my dad had a stroke. Would like to do more this afternoon, but have to be practical and limit how much my back can take. 'Sides that, my shoulders & arms are SO sore.

Have a nice Easter, y'all. ?

Wow, yeah I guess I missed that,

Yeah it's not easy work, it's like you need one of those gas powered water pumps,

 

[Metalman23]

Is your pump in good shape and just the motor is bad? I bought a VS motor for my Hayward super pump, just bolted right on, worked great, and saved me money

 

[dianedebuda]

If you want bang for the buck get a Hayward tristar VS and buy an aquaplus bundle with a T15 cell size. If you shop it you can find for about 2k overall.

Looked at the Aqua Plus and seems like it'd do everything I'd want except natively change light settings on the Intellibrite - a super minor issue. At this point, looks like a really good match.

Which Hayward Tristar?

The T15 is for 40,000 gal pools. Thought you were supposed to aim for double size SWG. My pool is 24,500 which would mean 49,000 target with that rule of thumb. Know it's really the actual chlorine output that matters, but just checking. Is this SWG line better than Pentair's? Getting the impression the Pentair SWG is not pick of the litter.

Now that Hayward limits online purchases, shopping is a lot tougher. The couple of places where I did see prices were probably old; the Aqua Plus alone was $1300. Guessing polytech sells with a phone call, so I'll try them when I get the pump identified. Anyone have other vendor suggestions?

Is your pump in good shape and just the motor is bad? I bought a VS motor for my Hayward super pump, just bolted right on, worked great, and saved me money

Have replaced the motor a couple times over the years. The pump itself has been patched so many times it's more JB Weld than housing. After 40 years, think we've gotten our moneysworth.

 

[setsailsoon]

Hayward is limiting online now? Seems readily available at Inyopool

 

[dianedebuda]

Hayward is limiting online now? Seems readily available at Inyopool

Don't see the Aqua Plus at Inyopool nor any other Hayward controller. Some parts and add-ons, yes, but not the actual base units. Did a search for Aqua Plus there and when you click on the detail, you see "No Longer Available." Had earlier seen their Dec 2019 blog Why You Can’t Find Hayward or Pentair Products Online so assumed that this was the reason. Even at polytech, the Aqua Plus is listed as in-stock with no part # or price, but no way to order online. Maybe it can be ordered by phone like robots at Marina Pool, Spa & Patio? Saw other places with "No Longer Available" on a lot of the Hayward products. ?

 

[setsailsoon]

Don't see the Aqua Plus at Inyopool nor any other Hayward controller. Some parts and add-ons, yes, but not the actual base units. Did a search for Aqua Plus there and when you click on the detail, you see "No Longer Available." Had earlier seen their Dec 2019 blog Why You Can’t Find Hayward or Pentair Products Online so assumed that this was the reason. Even at polytech, the Aqua Plus is listed as in-stock with no part # or price, but no way to order online. Maybe it can be ordered by phone like robots at Marina Pool, Spa & Patio? Saw other places with "No Longer Available" on a lot of the Hayward products. ?

Wow, you're right! That's too bad. I guess the suppliers are not making a lot of money for DIY automation supplies as it's not a simple install, combined with manufacturers attempt to raise margins. I don't use Hayward except I had their solar control before I switched from Jandy to Pentair Intellicenter. But I thought it was pretty good equipment if you have a simple pool, no spa and want inexpensive automation. I did find Aquaplus on Google Shopping at low price but I'd be reluctant to buy this from a no-name place. Call Polytech, that's where I bought my Intellicenter and they were the best combination of very helpful staff plus great price.

Chris