So I gave the cartridges an acid bath(muriatic) and let them sit about 5 minutes. Sprayed them down and reassembled the unit. The pressure was lower but not at 10psi. Should I repeat the bath? Thank you! Brian
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So I gave the cartridges an acid bath(muriatic) and let them sit about 5 minutes. Sprayed them down and reassembled the unit. The pressure was lower but not at 10psi. Should I repeat the bath? Thank you! Brian
Dunno what your pressure was with CLEAN, NEW cartridges, so I can't say.
But, what I can tell you is that cleaning with muriatic acid is NEVER the first thing to clean with, and usually isn't needed at all. It won't remove grease and people goo . . . and reportedly (I've never confirmed this) can 'set' the grease so that you cannot remove it.
Probably your filter has some "how to clean" instructions that you'd be better off following.
PoolDoc, I don't think I received a "how-to" manual when I got the pool installed. The instructions on the filter system do not give any specific cleaning solution to use. The installer instructed me to spray the filters clean with water. I basically do as I am told. The psi for clean filters is 10 on my meter. Anything over 20 is dirty. I have been cleaning the filters at least once a week. 35,000 gallon pool w/ 4 filter elements and the pool is 5 months old. Before I gave a 50/50 part muriatic bath, the psi would go no lower than 30 psi. After the bath the psi was 15 but worked its way back to 20 within a few days. Could you please tell me what the first thing to clean with is? Thank you. Brian
What's the make & model of your filter?
Where are you located ? (or, better: what are the results for hardness, alkalinity, silica, magnesium, & sulfate on your water company's most recent test result -- you can probably find this online; you may have to call.)
How is your pool being treated? (No Baquacil or Softswim, I hope!)
The Filter reads: There are 4 Filter elements.
115 Sq. ft.
460
NSF
Jandy moorpark, Ca
A0558000 - R0554600
Looks like you may have a CL460 -- take a look at this page:
http://www.zodiacpoolsystems.com/Pro...ge-Filter.aspx
and see if that's correct.
The filter manuals are available on that page, if that is the correct filter model.
Thank you PoolDoc, It looks like I have the CV Series. The manual tells to wash with soap and water. Should I use dish soap? Do I put the filters in a bath? What approach would you take if this were your pool? Brian.
Here's a full set of instructions from Unicel:
http://www.unicelfilters.com/pool_ow...rine_users.asp
Again -- though I haven't confirmed it personally -- I have often seen in pool literature statements to the effect that soaking in acid BEFORE washing in soap will permanently 'set' the grease and oils so they cannot be removed. Here's what Unicel says, "WARNING: Failure to remove all oils and cleaning solution before acid soaking will result in a permanent restriction of water flow and cause premature cartridge failure.".
So . . . the bad news is, you may need new cartridges, now. I'd try cleaning them. But if it fails . . . well, now you know why.
My question is why is the filter run cycle so short? You should not need toe cleaning the carts once a week or more!Quote:
Originally Posted by bri3180
Either your carts are gunked up (from acid washing before degreaging them--unlke PoolDoc I have seen this occur and can confirm this), there is an abnormal amount of 'crude' in your pool being filtered out (such as plaster dust from curing plaster or a constant algae problem), or the flow rate might not be correct (a pump issue). I would be interested in seeing a full set of water tests.
Let me start from the very beginning. The pool is a fairly new install. A few days after it was completed we had lots of rain and the muddy water poured into the pool. It took a week of brushing, vacuuming and cleaning the filters to get the mud out. It took about two weeks total to get the pool blue again. In that time I laid two pallets of sod and another big rain came in. Sure enough I got more muddy water into the pool. The over flow drain in the pool led straight into the saturated muddy soil and the water was back flowing into the pool. That problem is now taken care of. Anyhow, I have been having filter problems since.
At this time I do not have anything other than the Cl and pH test kit. I am at a lost though. I soaked my filters in cartridge cleaner over night, rinsed them off this afternoon and reinstalled them into the capsule. My pressure went from 10 psi to 20 psi in under an hour. One thing that I did notice while rinsing the filters was that in between the pleats, there is build-up in the crease. I was able to scratch some out with my nails. Could this possibly be the issue? Must I scrape every crease along all four filters which are about three feet tall? Or did I ruin the filters with the acid bath? Thank you for the suggestions.
So there is no turning back once you acid wash before degrease? Do people commonly make this mistake? I spent months asking questions to people in the business and nobody seemed to know any solutions.Quote:
Originally Posted by waterbear
Whether the damage is permanent or not, depends on what was on the filter when you acid washed it. But, I think the mistake is pretty common . . . as is destroying filters by 'cleaning' them with a pressure washer.
The pool industry -- like many others -- is not notable for the knowledgeability of its members. But, do keep in mind that most people in the pool business don't clean filters -- they build pools, finish plaster, sell chemicals, etc. And, they may be able to do those things quite well, without knowing a think about cartridge filtes.
Also, keep in mind, that many (most?) pool industry members don't LIKE pools or swimming, themselves.
If properly degreasing the filter does not solve the problem then replace the cart.Quote:
Originally Posted by bri3180
Simple.
Today I put two cartridges in another degrease bath and I used my fingers to dislodge the "gunk" between the pleats. Before I finished the first cartridge, the solution in the bath was completely cloudy. I have not done the same to the other 3 yet. I was wondering if I am wasting my time with these filters or if I should continue cleaning between the pleats or just replace. As soon as I get this figured out, I will like to tackle the chemical aspect of the equation. Thank you again for your response. Brian