AG pump/filter question - have a lot of suction at the skimmer and return

[bbink]

First post so I hope this is routed to the correct place. I have a 24' round pool. Last year while I was travelling for work my wife and son decided to 'flock' the pool. Only problem was that instead of vacuuming to waste they vacuumed with the filter on. From that point on things with the pool got ugly. Ran into an algae problem that couldn't be cleared up.
Don't know if my suction problem started at this time or not. I have a LOT of suction at the skimmer (and the return line to the pool).
The filter has been backwashed dozens of times, I also put a filter cleaner through it. Can't say that the filter cleaner did much as the water that backwashed out was clean in the glass bowl. The waste water was nice and foamy though :-)
I have so much suction right now that the new skimmer basket I put in is actually bending into the pipe i.e. the bottom is bowed out. Also have found that the eye and ring are missing from my return(guessing that the high pressure blew it out). I've just started getting the pool ready to open and still have an algae problem.
The filter, pump and sand are about 3 years old. Could I have a channeling problem in the sand? I know there are posts that the sand should seldom be changed so I'm not sure if I need to or not.
I put chlorine in yesterday and plan on testing the water tonight. Once I get the chlorine and ph near normal I'm going to add a bottle of 'kills all algae'. Still don't know what to do about the 'pressure' problem as I am afraid to leave the pump on when I'm not at home to monitor it since it will clog the skimmer basket so easily. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

[PoolDoc]

What you are describing doesn't make a lot of sense -- and I don't have time to puzzle it out, at the moment. But you're likely to get better answers if you can take some pictures (email them to me at poolforum AT gmail DOT com ) and let me post them AND if you will get the pump and filter make and model number and post them.

Ben

[Watermom]

Also, don't know what a bottle of "kills all algae" is, but don't add it!!

[bbink]

Filter and pump is a Jacuzzi 192C, holds 200 lbs of sand and has a 1 hp motor. The algacide I bought is from Home Depot and contains 3.33% copper. I would like to correct one thing after reading my original post. I do NOT have suction at the return, the suction is only at the skimmer. I apologize for making it sound that way. Pictures of pool will be sent via email. Thanks for the quick response!!

[Watermom]

Do NOT add any product that has copper in it! Chlorine is not what causes blonde hair to turn green, contary to popular belief. It is copper! I hope you haven't added it yet. Take it back and see if they will refund your money.

[bbink]

I'll take it back, any recommendation on what I should use as an algacide?

[bbink]

Just thought of something, could the ring and eye missing from my return be causing my 'high' suction at the skimmer? I'm sure when those parts were there they created backpressure which is no longer there. I have no clue what type of return I have. Are above ground returns a standard size? do I need to drain below the return level to replace it or can I take a shot at getting the old one out and the new one in with water pouring out?

[Watermom]

I'll let someone else answer your equipment questions. But, I can tell you that you do not need any algaecide. Most of us never use any except maybe at fall closing. Most years I don't even use it then.

[CarlD]

Most returns for AG pools are a standard size. Now you are saying you have HUGE pressure at the skimmer but very little at the return? It doesn't usually work that way--the pressure has to go somewhere or it blows back. When you originally said you had excessive pressure at both the skimmer and the return, that sounded like a damaged filter that's not slowing down the flow by forcing the water into the sand, ie no resistance.


But now it's not so clear.

Carl

[bbink]

The return pressure is also pretty high. I know the filter is working as I am backflushing every other day and it is dirty coming out. If time allows I'm going to see if I can pick up a new return and get it installed this weekend. Once that is done I will go back to battling the algae, just read the post on the forum on pool chemicals so I'll use up what shock I have and shop for bleach, baking soda etc.

[PoolDoc]

Catching up on unposted photos - these two from bbink nicely show the color change in algae from successful shocking. The first shows the untreated algae; the second shows the algae a few hours after shocking. Please note that the tannish green color of the algae in the second photo is typical of injured, but not DEAD algae! If you stop treating at that stage, the algae can come back in hours!

Pre-shock:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KKKTP6tAek8/ThoH93rd6WI/AAAAAAAAAWw/U39y2Fg7lPU/s800/pool_before_treatment-ed.jpg

Post-shock:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nUZlrGhCYa8/ThoH9c3x6GI/AAAAAAAAAWs/Yyv30OTf4BU/s800/pool_after_starting_shock-ed.jpg