Trouble Full Pool - Ideas before I give up on this summer

[JSnake Repair]

After finally fixing the pool deck foundation, pouring a new concrete equipment pad, buying all new motors/valves/pipes/equipment, and assembling it all myself I thought the rest would be behind me.

Unfortunately, I have an extremely dirty/green pool with a CYA through the roof (didn't even get a reading with my kit) and what appears to be an almost completely clogged intake line. IE, I can't SLAM it yet and I can't drain it enough to attempt to SLAM. Based upon frequent cleanings of the cartridge filters, I can reasonably assume there is a large amount of sand/fine sediment stuck in the line. My flow has almost completely tanked and the Filter pressure gauge reading is 15-20 PSI above baseline. There is not even enough pressure to clean via vacuum; can only rely of my booster pump to push a cleaner.

I have purchased a Drain King to try to clear the blockage but I can't even see the Main Drain to see if it's helping.

I have managed to get drain about 1/5 of the water (below the skimmer intakes) but I am a not willing to drain anymore as I run the risk of running the pump dry if it clogs over anymore and I can't babysit it all day.

I am considering purchasing a submersible pump, but I think I will run the risk of algae just clogging the intake there if there's any sort of filter involved. Kind of hoping water just keeps evaporating. Maybe I need to keep looking at submersible pumps. Looks like about $800 to hire someone to drain the pool...which I will not be doing.

If you were me, what would you do?

 

[Newdude]

Take the filters out. We sometimes have sand/de people run in recirculate for a while when the algae is clogging the filter too much to run the pump. If your flow does much better with no carts, the lines are fine.

The only thing that would mess a submersible pump is bottom sludge (if any). You could hang the submersible almost on the bottom if that is a concern, but the green water will pass no problem.

This 1.6 HP monster is $83 and will push nearly 5k GPH when paired with a 1.5 inch hose. (It also has 3/4 and 1 inch fittings. You cut off the ones smaller than you need).

 

[Bperry]

After finally fixing the pool deck foundation, pouring a new concrete equipment pad, buying all new motors/valves/pipes/equipment, and assembling it all myself I thought the rest would be behind me.

Unfortunately, I have an extremely dirty/green pool with a CYA through the roof (didn't even get a reading with my kit) and what appears to be an almost completely clogged intake line. IE, I can't SLAM it yet and I can't drain it enough to attempt to SLAM. Based upon frequent cleanings of the cartridge filters, I can reasonably assume there is a large amount of sand/fine sediment stuck in the line. My flow has almost completely tanked and the Filter pressure gauge reading is 15-20 PSI above baseline. There is not even enough pressure to clean via vacuum; can only rely of my booster pump to push a cleaner.

I have purchased a Drain King to try to clear the blockage but I can't even see the Main Drain to see if it's helping.

I have managed to get drain about 1/5 of the water (below the skimmer intakes) but I am a not willing to drain anymore as I run the risk of running the pump dry if it clogs over anymore and I can't babysit it all day.

I am considering purchasing a submersible pump, but I think I will run the risk of algae just clogging the intake there if there's any sort of filter involved. Kind of hoping water just keeps evaporating. Maybe I need to keep looking at submersible pumps. Looks like about $800 to hire someone to drain the pool...which I will not be doing.

If you were me, what would you do?

I assume you have one of the twst kits recommended by TFP? A submersible pump can circulate the water for you while you work on the plumbing. Algae is a chemical problem not a filter problem so get some chlorine in there.

 

[TinFoilHat]

No suction through the skimmer either?

 

[Orion7319]

What do you mean your CYA is though the roof if it’s not reading it? If you don’t have CYA then don’t consider draining it. If the CYA is though the roof, might want to consider draining if feasible. If your pool is fiberglass though I wouldn’t do it as draining a fiberglass pool can destroy it.

 

[JSnake Repair]

Take the filters out. We sometimes have sand/de people run in recirculate for a while when the algae is clogging the filter too much to run the pump. If your flow does much better with no carts, the lines are fine.

The only thing that would mess a submersible pump is bottom sludge (if any). You could hang the submersible almost on the bottom if that is a concern, but the green water will pass no problem.

This 1.6 HP monster is $83 and will push nearly 5k GPH when paired with a 1.5 inch hose. (It also has 3/4 and 1 inch fittings. You cut off the ones smaller than you need).

That I have been frequently cleaning the filters, so I don't think running without them would help that much. Pressure is higher every time is all, and I just see a bunch of sand in the bottom of the filter tank so I figure they must be in the line somewhere.

There is definitely bottom sludge, and I was thinking to do just that. I will pick up that pump if it's a winner to use with my garden hose.

 

[JSnake Repair]

No suction through the skimmer either?

Very little. And now the water is level is below the skimmers so it is a moot point.

 

[JSnake Repair]

I assume you have one of the twst kits recommended by TFP? A submersible pump can circulate the water for you while you work on the plumbing. Algae is a chemical problem not a filter problem so get some chlorine in there.

I do. Everything I've read says I need to drain most of the water first. Have a ton of liquid chlorine at the ready, but with such poor circulation I fear I would just be wasting chemicals.

 

[JSnake Repair]

All: Ended up draining the entire pool with a submersible pump (recommended by Newdude), power-washed the sides, shoveled sludge out, and checked for a sand clog...it was just algae after all. After 2 days of refilling we are starting the slam process, hooked up the SWG (minus the salt cell) and are almost done with this ordeal (minus a few small annoyances).