Cloudy Pool

[PoolDoc]

I'm guessing you've got a system like this:
http://www.intheswim.com/Pool-Equipm...-Ground-Pools/
and probably an SD-80
http://pentairpool.com/pool-owner/pr...filter-149.htm
and a Dynamo pump
http://pentairpool.com/pool-owner/pr...o-pumps-46.htm

Is that right?

If so, your pump is too big for your filter . . . even if it came that way from the factory. People are impressed with big pumps (Me big man; I gotta gazillion HP pump) but not with big filter (my filter is so-o-o big, it takes 10 minutes just to get to the other side). See what I mean?

Anyhow, big pumps sell; big filters don't. On sand filters, when your filter is too big for the pump, everything is OK while everything is OK, but once you've got to do cleanup, watch out! The over sized pump pushes the dirt or dead algae all the way through the sand. Also, when you backwash an over sized pump tends to wash sand out of the filter, which then lets even MORE dirt through.

First thing: check your filter to make sure it's full of sand.
Second: do something to restrict the flow through your filter. At a lower flow rate the sand can begin to filter out the algae.

Quick and dirty test to see if my guess about your system is right? Buy a small bag of DE, and dump some into the skimmer. Then run around to wherever the water returns to the pool fastest. Wait 5 minutes. If you see white powder blow back into the pool, you've got filter problems like I've described.

PoolDoc

[Dirtboy6]

Yes I have a SD-60 sand filter.. 1.5 Dynamo pump.. In order to check my sand I have to cut the PVC to take the top off.

[PoolDoc]

Darn!

Double-darn, because if you've got an SD-60 with a 1.5HP pump, that filter is WAY over-driven. But, it will only cost a few dollars to do the DE test, so do that first just to be sure before you begin cutting.

PoolDoc

[Dirtboy6]

Is DE a brand or does it stand for something.. If I go to my LPS do I ask for DE?

Thanks

[aylad]

It stands for diatomaceous earth. They'll know what you want. If they don't, then you need to run screaming from their doorstep!

Janet

[Watermom]

Buy the smallest bag you can find.

[Dirtboy6]

Thanks everyone!!!!!! I went by LPS and they only have a 25 lb. bag.. I passed.. I opened my filter pot next to the pump and saw I had a lot of trash.. I hate to say but it was about 1.5 inches thick... I cleaned it out and will give it a couple of days to see what happens.. If anyone wants to whoop me I deserve it.. I am still on the hunt of DE to check filter..