First post- other forums won't answer

[cfclay]

Hello folks- I'm on my third pool in ten years having moved a lot. I've picked up some equipment I'm nursing through until I move again and I'm stumped.

I purchased a used doughboy filter and 1 hp pump in August. Used in maybe 6 weeks then closed pool. I covered the pool- but it didn't remain covered. No leaves- but a funk of algae was there when I cleaned last month.

I filtered to waste and it seemed things we going good. While I'm trying to go from green to clear I notice my return port (from Intex it looks like a strainer)-- has bugs and debris in it. It appears my water is simply recirculating.

Everything worked fine in August- why not April? I've backwashed, vaccumed to waste, rinsed- everything. No one can really pinpoint this. Any suggestion?

[Watermom]

Can you give us some more information, please? What kind and volume is your pool? What kind and size of filter is it? I have a feeling that perhaps your pump is too powerful and is simply forcing debris back into the pool. We see that a lot on above ground pools.

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

[cfclay]

Thanks for your help. I have an intex pool 22' x 52", a - 1 hp Hayward pump, and a doughboy sand filter that I believe is several years old: http://www.lomart-parts.com/manuals/pumps-filters/MMSTR1926_97.pdf

I bought it used last year and used it six weeks before we closed pool. I thought it worked fine. I took it apart today to look and see if the laterals were clogged. It actually doesn't have laterals but more of a "lower deck" I think it's called. I found some odd things- found some debris like hair was actually sucked down into the sand several inches. I think there was some gummy debri in the intake on the lower deck- something like maybe the Molykote 111 that I used to coat the o-ring between the valve and the filter housing. I didn't have the tools to unscrew the nut to pull out the lower deck, so I'll have to examine that tommorrow.

I can't determine from the manual I've posted above that the 1 hp pump is too large.

[Watermom]

Which model is your filter? I was trying to see how much sand it held but couldn't tell without the model number.

[cfclay]

There is a link to the filter on my message, it is Model 1900 — Item No. 0-1702-019 and holds 225 lbs.

[PoolDoc]

Sounds like your filter is 'channeled' or has grooves in the sand that allow the water to bypass most of the sand. Also sounds like your sand if fouled.

Do this:

1. Being dosing with 1/2 gallon of PLAIN 8% bleach added manual EACH evening. You can do this while the pump is NOT running.

2. Remove all the sand from filter, and carefully inspect your filter parts, comparing them to the manual. Replace what's needed.

3. Refill with new clean filter sand.

4. Try again.

The bleach will 'keep' your pool, while you're working on the filter.

[CarlD]

In the sand filter when you look at the parts, look for cracks and breaks, It should look like an upside umbrella, a little.

[cfclay]

When I took it apart today- I saw sand in the "deck", but I never saw
Sand in the pool. Take a look at pictures... It was definitely pool sand from a pool store. I ordered an o ring for it- after that, I'm not sure what direction to go.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/svk82us48xy80bl/2014-05-18%2019.32.02.jpg