White slime in cartridge filter

[jkeefauver]

Hello all. New member here. At whit's end with trying to get my pool clear for the season. Opened to a green pool, balanced water and chlorinated the heck out of it. Now water is blue but very cloudy - cannot see the bottom or even the bottom step. Have tried PowerFloc at pool store's advice, nothing. Have tried DE in the skimmer - seems to do nothing but clog up the filter. Cannot vacuum the bottom because I cannot see the bottom or anywhere near it.

The common denominator here seems to be this white, slimy substance that collects in the cartridge filter (hayward). Simply cleaning with the hose does nothing to remove it. Spray cleaner does nothing. Have resorted to muriatic acid bath. Have a 30-gallon trash can filled halfway with water and about 3/4 gallon of acid. Have submerged each half of filter for about 15 minutes and still have some residue. Some of it comes out, I see it in the water however some is still in there. I don't want to destroy these filters but looking for advice on what that stuff might be and if this is the right solution to remove it.

I guess the net/net is that even if I get the white stuff out of the filter, it must still be in the pool. At this rate it will be Labor Day before I can see the bottom of my pool. Please help.

pH is about 7.0, Free Chlorine is 10, Total Alkalinity is about 80 and the Stabilizer is about 40. This is using the pool store test strips so cannot be sure of overall accuracy.

 

[jblizzle]

Welcome to TFP!!

1. Never use DE in a cartridge filter
2. Never use floc into a cartridge filter

The combo of those is likely what is in the cartridge which might be ruined. You should consider ordering a new cartridge ... although I would be concerned about ruining it too ...
Then to clean up the pool you need to follow the SLAM Process process.
To do that you need one of the recommended test kits: FC/CYA Levels
I suggest the TF-100 with the XL option as the best value given the condition of your pool.

 

[Donldson]

Welcome to TFP!

That would be floc, and the filter is ruined. And while a new filter is in order if there is still floc in the pool it would ruin that one as well.

Do you have a way to vacuum to waste? If not then the pool store has some explaining to do since that's a requirement for using floc.

 

[jkeefauver]

Welcome to TFP!

That would be floc, and the filter is ruined. And while a new filter is in order if there is still floc in the pool it would ruin that one as well.

Do you have a way to vacuum to waste? If not then the pool store has some explaining to do since that's a requirement for using floc.

I can rig something to vacuum to waste but still can't see the bottom. Would be guesswork at best. What would your next step be?

 

[Donldson]

If guesswork is the best we have, then you gotta try. Unless you want to drain everything to make sure it all gets out. You can also go ahead and just toss the filter, MA won't fix this. Any chance you could post a picture of the gunk in the filter so we can confirm though?

Be honest (we have all been there), did the pool store say anything about vacuuming to waste or did you accidentally miss that step? We have a pretty dim view of pool stores and this kind of muck up (in more ways than one) on their end would not be the least bit surprising.

If you would like to follow our sure-fired method for clearing a pool of algae and making sure it never comes back, you should put in an order for a new test kit so you can test yourself (along with a new filter, of course). As you can see from their advice, pool stores are not too trustworthy with their advice or testing. While waiting for that you can try getting all the floc out of your pool and when it arrives you can get your new filter in, run a full batch of tests, and begin the SLAM Process process.

 

[jkeefauver]

If guesswork is the best we have, then you gotta try. Unless you want to drain everything to make sure it all gets out. You can also go ahead and just toss the filter, MA won't fix this. Any chance you could post a picture of the gunk in the filter so we can confirm though?

Be honest (we have all been there), did the pool store say anything about vacuuming to waste or did you accidentally miss that step? We have a pretty dim view of pool stores and this kind of muck up (in more ways than one) on their end would not be the least bit surprising.

If you would like to follow our sure-fired method for clearing a pool of algae and making sure it never comes back, you should put in an order for a new test kit so you can test yourself (along with a new filter, of course). As you can see from their advice, pool stores are not too trustworthy with their advice or testing. While waiting for that you can try getting all the floc out of your pool and when it arrives you can get your new filter in, run a full batch of tests, and begin the SLAM Process process.

 

[jkeefauver]

Pool store told me to use the FLOC. Then when it didn't work and I still couldn't see to vacuum anything, they told me to add DE to the skimmer and run the filter and see if that would remove the particulates. They initially said I had to vacuum to waste but when the FLOC didn't clear the water, they came up with this other mess.

Is there a preferred store/website to buy that 100 XL test kit?

 

[mknauss]

TF-100 Test Kit

tftestkits.net

 

[HeyEng]

Pool store told me to use the FLOC. Then when it didn't work and I still couldn't see to vacuum anything, they told me to add DE to the skimmer and run the filter and see if that would remove the particulates. They initially said I had to vacuum to waste but when the FLOC didn't clear the water, they came up with this other mess.

Is there a preferred store/website to buy that 100 XL test kit?

I have to assume that they didn't ask what kind of filter you had. Oye, oye, oye. Pool stores are the enemy of pool owners everywhere!!!

 

[jkeefauver]

So I've ordered the TF-100 XL. Unsure how long that will take to arrive but appears I need to wait for that to arrive before doing much about the cloudy water. I have removed the cartridge from the filter and shut down the pump. Will attempt to blindly vacuum to waste tomorrow however dont know how successful that will be. I assume I can remove some of the FLOC this way. Is there anything else I can do in the interim besides keep vacuuming, refilling and vacuuming again? Should I engage the pump to circulate at any point?

 

[jkeefauver]

I have to assume that they didn't ask what kind of filter you had. Oye, oye, oye. Pool stores are the enemy of pool owners everywhere!!!

They sold me the filter.

 

[Teald024]

So I've ordered the TF-100 XL. Unsure how long that will take to arrive but appears I need to wait for that to arrive before doing much about the cloudy water. I have removed the cartridge from the filter and shut down the pump. Will attempt to blindly vacuum to waste tomorrow however dont know how successful that will be. I assume I can remove some of the FLOC this way. Is there anything else I can do in the interim besides keep vacuuming, refilling and vacuuming again? Should I engage the pump to circulate at any point?

Hello and Welcome to TFP!!
Sorry to hear of your filter woes. Great job ordering the test kit. It will take a couple of days, probably have it on Tues or Wed if ordered it from TFTestkits.
I was about to suggest that you remove the filter cartridge, it isn't helping you. FLOC is a horrible thing to run through a filter as it is basically glue and is meant to stick smaller particles together so they can fall to the pool floor. It is now sticking the DE to the filter.
You will need to use liquid bleach to kill the algae. If you have any around the house you can use it. It just needs to be plain, unscented, not splashless and not have any special additives like Chloromax Technology or other enhancers. Just plain bleach. Going forward, until your test kit arrives, add a gallon of bleach each day. That will help you kill any algae that is growing.
For tonight, turn off the filter and try to let the stuff settle down to the bottom.
Don't put in the new cartridge yet. In the morning, vacuum what you can to waste. You are trying to get the FLOC out. Don't run the filter before hand so that it doesn't mix up the water. If nothing else, you can just remove the hose from the pool return, aim it away from the pool area and let it go on the ground. Once you are done vacuuming, add the bleach to the water in front of the return with the pump running (reattach the hose first). The the pump mix up the water for 30 minutes and then shut the pump off. Let the pool settle again and repeat in the evening if you can. Once or twice like this should get the majority of the floc out. After a couple of cycles of this, you can put the cartridge filter in.
You will also need to find a good source of bleach or liquid chlorine (same thing). Usually Walmart has a good price on the 10% chlorine in the pool section. or you can check your favorite grocery or hardware store.
.
Forgot to mention: Please fill out your signature with your pool info. It will help us help you. use those above as a example. Then we won't have to ask about your pool and equipment (like the PS should have...)

 

[jkeefauver]

Hello and Welcome to TFP!!
Sorry to hear of your filter woes. Great job ordering the test kit. It will take a couple of days, probably have it on Tues or Wed if ordered it from TFTestkits.
I was about to suggest that you remove the filter cartridge, it isn't helping you. FLOC is a horrible thing to run through a filter as it is basically glue and is meant to stick smaller particles together so they can fall to the pool floor. It is now sticking the DE to the filter.
You will need to use liquid bleach to kill the algae. If you have any around the house you can use it. It just needs to be plain, unscented, not splashless and not have any special additives like Chloromax Technology or other enhancers. Just plain bleach. Going forward, until your test kit arrives, add a gallon of bleach each day. That will help you kill any algae that is growing.
For tonight, turn off the filter and try to let the stuff settle down to the bottom.
Don't put in the new cartridge yet. In the morning, vacuum what you can to waste. You are trying to get the FLOC out. Don't run the filter before hand so that it doesn't mix up the water. If nothing else, you can just remove the hose from the pool return, aim it away from the pool area and let it go on the ground. Once you are done vacuuming, add the bleach to the water in front of the return with the pump running (reattach the hose first). The the pump mix up the water for 30 minutes and then shut the pump off. Let the pool settle again and repeat in the evening if you can. Once or twice like this should get the majority of the floc out. After a couple of cycles of this, you can put the cartridge filter in.
You will also need to find a good source of bleach or liquid chlorine (same thing). Usually Walmart has a good price on the 10% chlorine in the pool section. or you can check your favorite grocery or hardware store.
.
Forgot to mention: Please fill out your signature with your pool info. It will help us help you. use those above as a example. Then we won't have to ask about your pool and equipment (like the PS should have...)

Just to be clear, my water is no longer green and my fc reading on the test strips is at the top level which say 10. Do I still add the bleach/chlorine each day?

 

[Teald024]

Since the water isn't green, you can go with the equivalent of adding 4ppm of FC. So based on the concentration of the bleach/liquid chlorine, you can add 1/2 to 1 gallon of chlorine per day. This is just to hold you over until your test kit come in.

 

[jkeefauver]

Since the water isn't green, you can go with the equivalent of adding 4ppm of FC. So based on the concentration of the bleach/liquid chlorine, you can add 1/2 to 1 gallon of chlorine per day. This is just to hold you over until your test kit come in.

My local Walmart has the 10% stuff in stock so will pick that up for next few days.

 

[jkeefauver]

Update: So I ordered the test kit, has been shipped. Followed instructions and vacuumed to waste 2x yesterday, ran pump for 30 minutes after each (no filter cartridge). Also added 1 gallon of liquid chlorine (10%). This morning the water is a little clearer but still cannot see the bottom. I have to be gone most of the day today with minions so question...do I keep going with this regiment of vacuum to waste / fill pool / rinse, later and repeat or do I put one of the old filter cartridges in while I'm gone and have it try to remove some of the particulate? I've manged to get the cartridge pretty clean with MA and some cursing but have ordered new one for when this drama is solved. No algae, water is bright blue - just cloudy.

 

[Teald024]

If your still around, if put the old cartridge back in now. You should have most of the floc out. Let it filter your water.

 

[jkeefauver]

Update: Ran all day yesterday with cartridge in. Pool getting clearer very slowly. Still cannot see the bottom but am beginning to see the 3rd step with some clarity. Just switched the filter out with another used/clean one. Test kit should arrive today based upon tracking info. Based on my limited testing capability at present, my CYA (stabilizer) is virtually non-existent but my FC is 10 or above. Pool water is blue and has been for quite some time so I assume no algae at present. I've added 1 gallon of 10% chlorine and have 3 pucks in the skimmer. When the kit comes I will likely need some handholding to get me thru SLAM. First question might be getting the CYA to an appropriate level. I will get the kit, read the instructions I suppose, and get you guys some numbers to look at. Should I be doing anything else in the mean time?

 

[jblizzle]

Not recommended to put tablets in the skimmer as they are acidic. Use a floater.

You have scooped everything out that you can right?

 

[jkeefauver]

Have vacuumed to waste twice. Still cannot see the bottom but believe "most" of anything is gone.