Can't get pool clear

[Ritter]

I have an Intex Ultra Frame AGP 15'48". We put up last summer. Winter cover blew off in Spring storm and dumped leaves in pool. We first fought the disintegrated leaves in pool...water clear but couldn't get bottom clean. Then we had an algae problem. Now, water is blue but no longer clear. Cannot see bottom. Have shocked. Vacuum daily. Change filter two times a day. Filter has yellowish gunk on it when we take out. Have a filter pump that came with pool. We have used swamp to swim, super shock, liquid shock. Had water tested and they told us we needed PH minus and that chlorine level way too high. Added the PH minus yesterday. Should we drain the pool and start over??

[Watermom]

Honestly, if you can drain and fill, that would be the fastest way to clear it up. If not, we can work with you to try and get it clear but it is really hard to clean up those little Intex pools because they don't have very good filtration. Little pools are not forgiving. Easier to keep them maintained than clean them up if you have a problem.

If you do decide to drain and refill, we can help you get it started out right this time.

Up to you. Let us know what you want to do.

One question though -----Your fill water isn't a metal-contaminated well, is it?

[Ritter]

Not well water. Thanks for the advice. I ordered a drain adapter, so will most likely drain and start over. Will let you know once that is done, for advice on starting fresh. What is the best thing to use to clean the liner once it is drained?

[Watermom]

Go ahead and read the Super Simple Startup Recipe so you can start getting together the things you will need :> http://pool9.net/ssr/
That would be the easiest way to begin since it will be a fresh fill.

(Until your registration is completed, you will need to log out first to be able to see the rest of the forum. So, copy the link and paste it into a browser window after you log out.)

Hope this helps.

[PoolDoc]

membership upgraded . . .

[Pappy]

We have a 15' x 48" Intex. This is our 3rd year with it. I can tell you from experience, drain and refill is the fastest AND cheapest way to clean it up, since you have the cartridge filter AND assuming you have no fill water issues. If you intend to keep the cartridge unit , go ahead and order 2 or 3 of the good cartridges referenced in the Super Simple Recipe, your life will be better. We started the BBB pool maintenance program this year. We've saved a TON of money and enjoyed our pool more.

This year we upgraded to an Intex sand filter. It has made a night and day difference in the ease of maintenance and I strongly recommend the upgrade. Does your pool have the 1-1/4" lines with clamps or the 1-1/2" lines with threaded collars? For your pool, Intex model #801101 would do nicely. It has a 1/2 hp pump and a 14" sand filter. If you have the 1-1/4 hoses, anything bigger than this will activate the vacuum breaker built into the plunger valves and cause a suction leak.

Here's the link to our change over.
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php/23562-Intex-cartridge-to-sand-filter-changeover.?p=117041#post117041

Enjoy your pool!
Pappy