I think it is the tank and not algae

Now you're makin' progress!:)

The most likely culprit IS the spider gasket. The handle that's labeled "waste", "backwash", "filter", etc. is the multiport valve and the spider gasket is located down inside that.

It is quite possible to locate the instructions for changing that out online. If you can find them, determine if it's a task you want to take on or have someone else do it.

I know you have some algae/chlorine/water issues to deal with as well but I would suggest you fix the valve first (pretty soon) and then post back up and we'll all help you get your pool back to sparkling clear.

Thanks Dave - my water is sparkling now - just has the debris on the bottom. We took of the multiport and located what we think is the gasket - it is the only rubbery piece on there divided into sections and is an off-white color. To me it looked okay, but hubby noticed it had a ridge around the outside with one side being high and the other being low and what looked like a pinch. He is on his way to get one now. If it isn't the spider gasket, do I need a new multiport? It appears to be turning correctly.

Wow, I feel like I finally may win this battle! I'm just frustrated that I repeatedly told the pool store what was going on and they said "everyone is battling algae this year - you just have to keep shocking and vacuuming" - grr.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kbcpa

I'm just frustrated that I repeatedly told the pool store what was going on and they said "everyone is battling algae this year - you just have to keep shocking and vacuuming" - grr.

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Translation-

"You're not alone. Our bad advice and incompetence is screwing all our customer's pools up."

:(

Rangeball,

I was not trying to offend anyone, nor did I mean anyone here was incompetent. I was speaking about our local pool store and that is the only place I mentioned. Yes, I am frustrated that this has been going on for 2 months and I kept telling them the problem occurred when turning on the filtration. They never even mentioned a spider gasket to me, never suggested that I possibly had water going back into my pool when vacuuming to waste. I got that info here and am very thankful for the help I have received here. I have learned more on this forum in the past few days than I have from the local pool store.

I apologize for offending, but I did not make a generalization about all pool stores.

Rangeball,

I re-read your post and may not be interpreting it correctly. If I offended, I'm sorry - do you work at a pool store? Perhaps that isn't what you were meaning and I went on the defensive too quickly. Again, my apologies. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kbcpa

Rangeball,

I re-read your post and may not be interpreting it correctly. If I offended, I'm sorry - do you work at a pool store? Perhaps that isn't what you were meaning and I went on the defensive too quickly. Again, my apologies. :)

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:)

No need to appologize, my translation was for the pool store's comment :)

When I was using them, I heard at least one "everybody has it" type comment every season.

I think you are on the right track, and certainly in the right place for info :)

Okay, our filter required the purchase of a key assembly and not just a spider gasket (Hayward SP714TX). So, we put the new one on and still had water coming back into the pool on waste and some on backwash. When going through the different cycles, the gasket part came loose and we had to take it back off and correct the positioning on it because we were losing water on filter.

So, what else could it be? I'm stumped - there is nothing else in the tank that changes the water flow on the different cycles is there? I can't see that I need a whole new multiport valve because the bulk of it is the key assembly that we replaced which did not solve the problem. I hope they take it back - it was $37.

What else do I need to look for to stop this water from returning to the pool on waste?

Thanks!

If you have determined it's not the multiport, the only thing left is the plumbing after the multiport. Is it possible your ball valves are not positioned correctly?

maybe a dumb question, but i'm assuming this is a sand filter? if so, is the sand nice and soft when you put your hand and run it through it, or is it hard?

You are shutting off the pump before moving the multiport handle position correct?