Every morning I wake up to piles of dead algae that have settled on the bottom. I can brush them toward the drain but the whole pool turns green and the filter never really filters out the dead algae. It's as if it's too fine. Ive tried clarifier hoping that would "plump up" the algae enough for the filter to catch it, but no luck. I know I could vacuum to waste but my water level is too low. My robotic cleaner catches a teeny bit but not enough to make a difference. Are there any other filtering tricks that I could deploy to catch this super fine dead algae?
Sand filter not filtering fine dead algae
- Thread starter awindram
- Start date
-
- Tags
- dead algae
- May 3, 2014
- 62,672
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Are you sure that is dead algae? It could just be dust that has settled. Algae is a plant, plants love dirt, algae can grow very quickly at the bottom of a pool that has dirt in it regardless the chlorine level of the water. When it is brushed it will look green. Along with the dust that continually falls into the pool are algae spores that like to hitchhike on that dust.
Very well could be dust or dirt. Whatever it is, I can't seem to filter it out. And I can't vacuum it out because my water lever is critically low. My Dolphin or stick vac can't seem to grab it either. My question is still this- Is there some technique or device I can use to filter this fine stuff out? I've thought about adding DE to my filter but not sure if that's safe.
sktn77a
Gold Supporter
Add some DE or "Sparkle-Up" to your filter. Dissolve 1/2 to 1 cup in water and add through the skimmer.
Have you ever done a "deep clean" on the sand filter?
Over time oils and debris can solidify the sand in your filter due to it clumping.
I tell people that it's similar to instead of the filter being full of sand, it's full of baseballs.
Not literally, but water from pump can flow around the sand media instead of through it.
Is your backwash valve side-mounted or top-mounted?
Over time oils and debris can solidify the sand in your filter due to it clumping.
I tell people that it's similar to instead of the filter being full of sand, it's full of baseballs.
Not literally, but water from pump can flow around the sand media instead of through it.
Is your backwash valve side-mounted or top-mounted?
Top mount. My sand was replaced last summer so I doubt it needs a deep clean, however, in the last month have not been able to backwash for more than about 30 seconds because of my low water level. Which means the backwash discharge water starts off nasty green/brown and only clears about 50% before I have to shut it off. Hmm, I think you may be on to something. I would really love to give it a good flush but I would have to have water trucked in at a minimum delivery fee of $800. Maybe it would be worth it. It's getting close to the end of June and we have been able to swim even one time. : (
sktn77a
Gold Supporter