Pool Opening Problems.

[TheGoose]

Thanks for your response. I suspect that I need to add sand, but I hate to take everything apart. It's a PITA. I really should have put some unions in last time but I didn't.

Did you see the pics I sent you a few days ago? Do you have any concerns on my set-up? I realize my back-wash line is kinda open ended. I had another pipe that ran down and away from the filter but the kids "misplaced" it for me. I will get another up ASAP and I'm also gonna install a throttle valve.

The starting pressure is normally about ~18-20 psi. I've seen it get as high as 30. I usually backwash about 28. Right now my filter is running about ~25 psi. I would have already backwashed but I'm afraid I'm losing sand everytime and also I heard that a "plugged" filter actually filters better. Also I can tell by looking at my return jets that there is plenty of flow. When the filter gets plugged you can't see the surface ripple.

Thanks for the advice on the wiring. I do all my own wiring and I do have a dedicated ground to the pump. I will make sure that the switch is grounded also. I might just get the timer instead.

[PoolDoc]

Sorry, here are the pictures:

[PoolDoc]

I'm trying to work out a way to offer re-design help to members, but we're not there yet.

Right now, what I'd recommend is get to leave the plumbing alone, for the most part, but get the timer and sand taken care of. You just need 1 more union (pressure side of multi-port, near filter) in order to lift the multi-port valve. Having the messed up back wash, makes it easy for now.

You can install this check valve:

King Brothers Inc. KC-1500-S 1-1/2-Inch Slip PVC Schedule 40 Spring Check Valve, Gray @ Amazon

to assure positive pressure at the suction inlet of the Polaris booster. If you do, you'll need to remove the Rainbow feeder and check valve -- if that's the old 10# spring valve, it's a VERY significant energy waster! If it's a newer model with a light spring, then you won't need the check from Amazon, since the Rainbow valve will assure positive pressure at the Polaris suction.

[TheGoose]

The "housing" is new....I replaced it ~2005. The "body" of the new one cracked. I still had the original and swapped out the "new" column/body part for the original. The actual part that is in-line was replaced about '05 or so.

The "foam" in the top picture is from the SWCG when I run it higher. It definitely makes an abundance of bubbles. I have not been using it as of late per the advice on this forum.

I'm keeping the pump off tonight to see if anything will settle out of the water.

The water is much better than what you see in that picture. It is more of a whitish/blue tint now, not green BTW.

[TheGoose]

4-25 #'s
FC = 9
CC = 1.0
pH = 7.4 (added borax)
TA = 90
CH = 225
CYA = 60

Water clarity slightly better.

I ordered the dual speed timer BTW.

[TheGoose]

Today's numbers:

FC = ~5 with OTO.
pH = 7.5 I've been bringing pH up slowly.

I didn't test for anything else since those numbers don't seem to fluctuate much. I test them about 1-2 times per week.

Pool water is SLOWLY getting clear. I can just barely see the bottom of the pool in the shallow end. Water color itself looks great. The pool seems to be holding chlorine, I'm not adding much if any. I did add some water today so I'll need to re-check the numbers probably tomorrow.

Two speed timers installed and running great. the motor is really quiet on low speed.

[TheGoose]

Today's numbers-

FC = ~5 as measured with OTO.
pH - 7.2-7.4

I went swimming today. The water has a very nice color to it, all the other chemistry is in good shape...but the water is just CLOUDY.

After donning a mask and looking around underwater I am thoroughly convinced that my sand filter has failed in some way. Either the sand has been backwashed out or the valve is leaking by somewhere. There is just a lot of particles in the water. Stuff that is visible to the eye, not just real small stuff. The pump has been running 24/7 and on low since last week. I'm gonna have to take the top off again and see what the sand level is.

Going by the "grocery store" philosphy what kind of sand do I need? I usually buy the pool store stuff but I'm pretty sure that I can get some from the lumberyard that will do the trick.

By the way I used the DE trick and didn't see any results. I also did not notice any DE blowing back into the pool, so I'm at a loss on what to do next. I'm ready to go back to full on DE, I consider the sand filter experiment failed. Unless I can resolve the "problem" of sand being backwashed out.