Zeo in Pool after backwash

[rrands]

Hi - I am a pool newbie, and have something happening I am not sure about.

I have a 2-position valve (up for filter, down for backwash), and when I backwash the filter, I use this process:
1. Turn off pump
2. lower valve handle
3. Turn pump on high until sight glass is clear
4. turn off pump
5. raise valve handle
6. Turn pump back on

When I do step 6, some Zeo gets pumped into my pool, and clouds it all up - the pool recovers from this after a while, but I am not sure if this is normal behavior.

Also, if I just open the pump to clean the basket, the system loses prime, and drains the filter into the pool - is that normal? Since it drains the filter out, should I close the valve leading from the outlet of the filter to the pool returns while I am backwashing the filter?


Thanks for the help!


-randy

[thepoolman1]

A 2-position valve on a sand filter is not a good installation. You should have a multi-port valve installed. With the valve you have, whether using sand or a Zeo product you will always have some of the filter media return to the pool until the filter bed is compacted. That is why there is a rinse postion on the multi-port valves.

Any time you open your system you allow air in. This will allow the water to drain. It should not be enough to cause your pump not to prime. Just put the lid back on and start the pump. Make sure that the lid "O" ring is lightly lubricated at all times.

[rrands]

hmm - OK - I *think* I have the right valve listed - it is the T-handled push-pull valve that looks to be standard on the Pentair TR-600 that I got, but I am a newbie, and not 100% sure on that... Should I have gotten something different with it?

What is involved in moving to a multi-port, and what would the difference be?



Thanks!


-randy

[thepoolman1]

A multi-port valve for the Triton is installed to the filter by unthreading the bulkhead nuts on the old valve, removing the valve, then threading the new valve in place. You will have to cut the plumbing from the pump to the valve and from the valve to the pool return and then reconnect after the new valve is in place. Your backwash line may also have to be redone. It is worth the effort or expense if you have it done by a pool tech.

[rrands]

Gotcha - thanks for that. Can you explain what the benefit of the multi-port valve is, please?

Thanks!

[waste]

rrands, welcome to the forum!! The valve you have only allows you to filter or backwash, the multiport provides more functions (at least one of which you need -RINSE- to prevent the sand os Zeo from entering the pool after backwashing). In addition to filter and backwash, the multiport has settings that let you:
1) recirculate the water - ie keep the water flowing through the system without entering the filter (this can be handy if you develop a filter problem, you can have the filter fixed while still circulating the water and chems)
2) lower the pool water by 'wasting' it out the backwash hose without having to backwash.
3) close the valve so as not to lose prime or send 'crud' back into the pool while opening the filter
4) rinse the stuff out of the tank that was liberated by the backwash process to the backwash/ waste line - this is what thepoolman was talking about, the stuff (be it dirt, algae or Zeo) that didn't exit the tank is still in suspension in the top of the tank after backwashing, so it gust gets pushed through the returns if you don't 'rinse' after backwashing & doing a couple of 'bacwash/ rinse' cycles cleans the filter better.
Hope I've explained things ~ clearly, if you need more info please ask, (thepoolman may have other reasons why the multiport is 'better') and the nice and knowledgable folks here will give you their insight.
Again, welcome! :) - Waste

[rrands]

Awesome reply - thank you very much!

Quick follow-on question - I have the Pentair TR-600 - do you know which valve I can get for this that would work correctly?


Thanks!

[MarkC]

I have the same push pull valve as you. When I backflush I repeat the following procedure 4 or 5 times.

1. Turn off pump
2. lower valve handle
3. Turn pump on to remove DE, let run 1 minute
4. turn off pump
5. raise valve handle
6. Turn pump back on for 20 seconds


repeat steps 1 through 6 at least 4 or 5 times. This gets most of the DE out. try that next time.