to add de or not to add de

[mikemedic]

Hello all,
I am still fighting my green pool.
All my numbers are in line and I keep up the shocking.

I have one question:
I converted form a Hayward De filter to a Hayward Sand filter
The Ec65 to the 244 t sand.
I sure miss the DE's filtering capability but know the sand will do the job.
How many extra days will it take on avg to clean the green.
I have been very agressive with keeping the free cl up according to the chart
Would anybody suggest me addind some DE to the sand filter? I have a brand new sand filter 250 lbs of sand and I read here sand takes a while to break in.
I don't want to clog it up or anything and I just put 32 ounces of polyquat in today. I ran the filter on recirc for a while today to mix up the poly
Any suggestions?

[GreenLight]

I just converted from the EC65 to the S244T also. You mentioned 250 lbs. of sand - shouldn't you have 300 lbs. in your filter? That's what I put in mine.

[mikemedic]

yes your a correct
I did put 6 /50 lb. bags in
Sorry total of 300 lbs of sand
Mike

[gregugadawg]

why did you guys go from a d.e. filter to a sand filter

[GreenLight]

why did you guys go from a d.e. filter to a sand filter
For me, it was because of ease of maintenance. With the old DE filter, I had no way to backwash. It was old and leaky. I was a nightmare to open with its 15 bolts holding the top on. I could go on, but I will just stop here...

[gregugadawg]

ahh old school, the new d.e. filters do have backwash valves on them now so the only extra maintenance is reapplying the d.e. but that is neither here nor there. You could add some d.e. to coat the sand bed, typically you would add enough to see a 1psi increase in pressure. Just be sure to monitor your filter pressure regularly as the pressure will go up much faster than with the sand filter.

[duraleigh]

Good morning, guys,

I am a BIG sand filter advocate. Anecdotally, I have twice filled my pool with murky pond water. My sand filter and plenty of Clorox (NOTHING more) has cleaned my pool water to an absolutely pristine condition.

Mike, post up some numbers and test your Cl level frequently. I am not kidding, 95% of the water clarity problems on this forum can be solved with adequate amounts of chlorine. Most people simply don't realize how quickly it is consumed by organics and/or the Sun without adequate CYA.

Mike, the DE will be washed out as soon as you backwash, (which should be often in this clearing process) so I don't see it offering much benefit. I truly believe your issue is chlorine but without test results, you and I are both just guessing.

Greenlight and Mike both, there are thousands and thousands of crystal clear pools out there that only use sand. It is a proven medium that, plain and simply, works. Additionally, you will find it the most trouble-free filter you can operate.:)

[mikemedic]

Ok here are my numbers
PH-7.8
Free CL- 20
CYA is now down to 90..Yaay! was 150
CC-1
Alk- 110

Free Cl went down to 8 after draining half the water then filling last night
Dumped bleach to raise the Free CL to 20
Tested this am.
WIll test again tonight
Pool still green
I't got me frustrated, it's going to be 90 degrees in West Virginia today
Happy Memorial day everyone
Any suggestions would be appreciated
Mike

[duraleigh]

Hi, Mike,

Thanks for the numbers. Very helpful.

With your CYA of still 90 (good work, tho) I would carefully calculate enough Cl to raise it to 25ppm. I would hold it at 25ppm as consistently as you can and I believe your water will clear soon.

A real indicator that you still got "bugs" is that CC of 1. The 25ppm will get you to breakpoint or "shock" value and get the CC to less than .5, which is what you want.

I believe you may be closer than you think. It sorta sounds like you been getting almost up there with the Cl, but not quite. Go ahead and knock it out of the park with the 25ppm. Calculate carefully (don't go too high) and add it a dusk this evening......it'll be somewhat more effective at night.

Keep us posted. :)

[mikemedic]

Ok, off to buy more bleach
My question was
DO I add in the 90 degree heat today to get it to 25 ppm or wait till tonight , test the free cl and add according
Makes me antsy cause my pool is usually pristine clean
Mike

[duraleigh]

Either way in your case. The Sun always burns up some Cl...less in your case because of the CYA of 90.

That said, I am such a cheapskate, I add my Cl in the evening to get the most bang for my buck.

As a learning tool, go ahead and put it in ASAP. Then, test your Cl at dusk this evening. See what you've lost during the day and add enough to get right back to 25.

Next, get up early tomorrow AM (watch out for those adult beverages during this Memorial Day:D ) and test your Cl again......comparing your daytime loss to your nighttime loss. In your case, it may not be that much difference.

Keep us posted.