PSI seems low

There was another PSI post but it was in regards to another issue,

I just moved into a new home with a small in ground pool. We have a ton of directions on how to make to do the various things needed for the pump system along with order of how to do them. My Wife and I wanted to use the vacuum this morning and of course misread the directions and confused the the one next to the pool with the filter basket.

Anyhow I think we got it setup correctly again and primed the system. However I am only reading about 5psi.

The system is a Hayward star clear plus and believe its only a 3/4 horse power.

How high should I be on PSI and how do I increase it if needed?

Lastly the strainer in the basket next to pump door wouldn't pop open using the directions. I swore the home owner showed me how to get into it and clean it without priming the system?

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I'll let someone else who knows more about pumps help you with this but wondered what kind of filter you have. Does it need to be cleaned or backwashed? It may be more involved than something as simple as this, of course, but it is always a good idea to check out the possible easy fixes first.

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

Thank you for the welcome and reply!

The filter listing says "Super Star Clear" I am not sure which model though, hoping the filter has it listed. Previous home owner said it lasts for about 2 years and it still has a year left. (its cartridge style).

I suppose I might as well add my chlorine level is very high at the moment. (bright orange) Will this drop on its own with sunlight?

One thing I am worried about is the PH level. It is very low at the bottom of the scale. I am kind of confused on what to add and how to raise it up to the range its suppose to be? It did rain yesterday fairly heavy for an hour or so. Would that of lowered it that much? Will it bounce back or do I need to add something?

Thanks again!

I'll let someone else help you with the pump/filter issue.

What kind of a test kit do you have? What kind of pool is it?

Low pH is a critical problem. If it is reading at the bottom number on your scale, it could be much lower. Readings below 7.0 are acidic and can damage your pool! The most concerning thing is that you are getting such a low reading while your chlorine is high because typically when the chlorine is high, you get falsely high pH readings. You can use 20 Mule Team Borax (laundry aisle at Walmart) to raise it. What is the volume of your pool?

Your chlorine will come down on its own. How quickly depends on what your CYA reading is.

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Originally Posted by Aleforge

Lastly the strainer in the basket next to pump door wouldn't pop open using the directions. I swore the home owner showed me how to get into it and clean it without priming the system?

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I can't imagine how to clean the pump strainer without priming unless you have valves to isolate the equipment. Do you have a valve on the suction side of the pump? If that's mostly closed, you'd have low pressure in the filter. Is this an above ground pool?

Also, like Watermom said, low pH is critical and one of the few "fix it right now" situations we see. Put some Borax in the pool, but a few boxes, start with one, let it dissolve and mix then measure pH again.

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