I think it is the tank and not algae

We have been battling dead algae on the bottom of the pool since we opened it in May. We have vacuumed to waste numerous times, but the stuff returns the next morning when we restart the filtration system (above ground pool). The local pool store said my chlorine was very low and I really super shocked it this weekend. My water is crystal clear (and has been all season), but the dead algae was still on the bottom of the pool. So, once again we vacuumed to waste and the stuff has reappeared within hours. Could it be the valve control thing on top of my tank? That is the only other thing I think it could be - that somehow the algae is still dropping back into the tank and not actually being sucked out. We have noticed this year that when backwashing, we don't have near the pressure we had last year and the water has yet to come out dirty - all season. However, when using the rinse function, it occasionally runs dirty. In the past, we would backwash once per week and the water would run dirty for a few minutes.

Someone please help. I'm at my wit's end and my water bill is through the roof. We have dealt with dead algae in the past and one vacuuming to waste took care of it. We have been vacuuming to waste for two months to no avail.

Thanks,

Kim

Kim:
Please read the stickied threads at the top of the "Pool Chemicals and Pool Water Problems" topic,
the "Using Chlorine and Chlorinating Chemicals" topic
and the
"Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry" topic.

The do a search for threads on battling algae.

That will save me a lot of typing.

My specific question is about the filter - not algae. Could there be something wrong with the valve that is causing debris to go back into the pool even on waste and why is my backwashing not as strong as it used to be?

I forgot to add that the stuff reappears within minutes sometimes. I think I have a filter problem and would like some opinions before I go spend major $$ on a replacement part.

What is a spider gasket - what does it do and do I possibly need one? All sand was replaced about a month ago and all the laterals thoroughly cleaned. The sand had a layer of grayish gunk on it that would not backwash out - all backwashing this year has been clear which I find very strange.

The 6-way valve has a bunch of chambers in it to direct the water in various directions. To seal those chambers there's a cover (on the bottom of the valve) and between that cover and the valve is the rubber spider gasket--so-called because it looks like a simple spider's web. You want to use plenty of silicon gasket lube on it when you install it.

Thank you Carl! So, it is possible that the problem lies in the filtration system then. Will this cause the backwashing problem I described also? Is my water just recirculating and not filtering? What is happening to the stuff I'm vacuuming to waste - my pool is draining when we do this, but my only guess now is that somehow the dirt/algae is getting back into the pool rather than flowing out with the water. Am I on the right track?

Again, thanks so much for the help. All I have heard from the pool store is that I have algae in my water. Possibly, but if that much algae was dying out and dropping to the bottom within minutes I don't think my water would be sparkling clear.

Kim,

In "waste" position, NO water should reenter the pool. Can you not verify that by placing your hand over the return eyeballs? There is no other reentry point for the water other than the returns.

Can you see the water exiting the pool in the "waste" position?

Hi Dave,

Yes, water is exiting the pool, but within minutes some of the stuff is back on the bottom of the pool. We can vacuum to waste and see some stuff reappear immediately. Then, if we shut the filter down and restart it a few hours later, it looks like it all reappears around the outer edge of the pool (in the line of circulation). The backwash thing has me stumped too. In the past the water would come out with a lot of force during backwashing and there would always be some dirty water come out weekly. Not this year - we have about half of the pressure when backwashing and absolutely no dirty water coming out. A couple of years ago we had a huge algae bloom after a heavy rain and the water was totally green. We shocked and cleared it up and vacuumed the dead algae to waste one time. One time was all it took. My water has been clear all year. This stuff was on the bottom when we took the cover off in May and we still can't get it out. There is absolutely no slimy feeling anywhere in the pool and the water is clear. That is why I think it has to be the filtration system.

Thanks!

I suspect the filter as well but your answer is not clear to me. Let's try it another way.

If you put the filter in "waste" or "backwash" position and turn on the pump, can you feel or see water going back into the pool?

Oh my, I feel like such an idiot! Dave, I just went out to check, and yes - on waste I can feel a lot of pressure coming back into the pool. There is some on backwash, but not as much. Duh, why didn't I simply stick my hand in front of the return jet two months ago????? We couldn't see any water coming back in, or at least didn't notice it.

So, what to do to fix this? Is it a spider gasket? My tank is just 2 or 3 years old.

Thanks so much!

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?

Yes, it is a sand filter. The sand was just replace about 6 weeks ago thinking that would alleviate the problem.

As far as the handle, in the past we didn't turn the pump off before turning it - didn't know too (yes, although it says to right on the thing). We do turn the pump off now.

So, I called the pool store where we bought the assembly and the lady was so nice (not the place that kept telling me I had algae and to shock). She said that it sounded like the hoses were hooked up incorrectly. And, she was right - we had the hose from the pump connected to the place where the water is supposed to go back into the pool. The hoses were reversed. This was the problem all along. Hubby switched them this evening and when he did, some crud blew back into the pool. He checked all positions on the valve and there is absolutely no water going into the pool on waste and backwash. We'll vacuum to waste tomorrow!

Okay, pool idiot of the year goes to......me. I feel so stupid.

Sorry, but you will not receive the "pool idiot" award.:(

YOU FIXED IT!!:D :D That's all that counts.

On a sobering note, you will continue to have algae issues in your pool.....the filter alone won't fix that.

When you get a chance, post a set of test results and we'll help get your pool clear. You would do well to buy Ben's test kit @ Poolsolutions.com...you'll use it for Summers to come as well as this one.

Hi Dave,

Dang, just made room for the trophy too - LOL!

I plan on buying Ben's kit. Exactly what do you mean when you say I'm still going to have algae? Please don't tell me that dead stuff is going to find its way back into my pool after I vacuum to waste this time! I know that algae will appear if I don't keep the chlorine and other chemicals at a sufficient level. I think I'm okay on that because the water is sparkling - it is clear and has been all season. No green stuff or slime anywhere - just the dead stuff that has been on the bottom since May.

Quote:

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Exactly what do you mean when you say I'm still going to have algae?

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Well, I'm speculating based on your other posts asking about funky smell and the fact that these organics have been in your pool since May. That coupled with the use of test strips makes me think your Cl levels have probably not been constant. All that info implies to me you currently have or will soon have organics (algae) in your water.

After all that, keep in mind I am GUESSING...I could be completely off base. The only way to resolve it would be a full set of test results (not strips) from the pool store to include FC, CC, pH, Alk, and CYA.

BTW, I should've added "Congrats!" to fixing your multiport hook-up. You did nice work sticking with it 'til you got it figured out.:)

Thanks Dave,

I had the water checked at the pool store last week and total alkalinity was low - got it fixed. Had it checked again and free chlorine was low so we did a major shock over the weekend. I have just used strips since then. The smell is gone. I'm going to order Ben's kit today and probably take some more water to the store tomorrow and post the numbers.

Again, thanks for everyone's help and support!