starting up after winter

[PoolDoc]

Darn. Posted the wrong answer to this thread, and now I have to go find the thread that answer belonged to!

Glad you posted your CYA level though: 14 ppm is a good algae clean up level with 50 ppm of CYA.

Anyhow. YOUR answer is . . . .

Intex OEM cartridges filter dead algae VERY poorly. I'd recommend you replace yours with the Unicel cartridge. Not only will it filter better, but if you get two, and clean them properly, they will last all season:

Unicel C-4607 Replacement Filter Cartridge (Easy Set Size A or C) @ Amazon

Be VERY careful -- most replacement cartridges are NOT higher quality, and some are labeled deceptively.

To clean them, you need a small garbage can with a lid and some TSP, like these:

Rubbermaid BRUTE Gray 10 Gal Container w/o Lid @ Amazon
Round Brute Lid For 10-Gallon Waste Containers, 16" Diameter, Gray
1lb Savogran 10621 Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) @ Amazon

You may be able to get all those items locally. Ace Hardware or Lowes may have TSP in the paint section.

Anyhow, fill the garbage can 3/4 with water, add the TSP, and mix. When a cartridge gets dirty, spray it off and set it aside. Add 1/8 cup of bleach to the garbage can, and mix. Then, put the dirty cartridge in and leave it.

When you are ready to use it, rinse it off CAREFULLY. You don't want detergent in your pool. Rinse at least 2x. Then, take the dirty cartridge out and put the clean one in, and restart the process.

Cleaning the cartridges in that manner, you should be able to go all summer with just those 2 cartridges.

(Just saw I told you this before. Did you do it? If you have the Unicel cartridges, put them back in. If you still have Intex cartridges, I'd try to vacuum to waste using a siphon. Do you know how to do that?)

[costo]

I did not order the unicel cartridges as I had 3 new cartrifges I was hoping to start using then buy the unicel ones. Sounds like I need to go ahead and order those. I did get the stuff to clean the cartridges with as you had suggested. I do not know how to waste via siphon, my husbad might but it wouldn't hurt to post if its not too much trouble. I have just been vacuuming into the collection bag that sits in my skimmer bag that came with the vacuum which came with the pool. It fills up pretty quickly so I have to empty frequently should I just keep vacuuming with the vacuum filter oR use the cartridges I have until I get the unicel ones

[PoolDoc]

We're not sure yet, but what we suspect is that forcing dead algae particles through filters that do NOT catch them, breaks them into even smaller particles that are harder to filter.

So yes, I'd recommend getting the Unicel filters.

[costo]

Still trying to clean this mess up until I get the unicel cartridges I ordered. I have been using the vacuum with my pump with and without my cartridge filter. I will get the hose filled with sludge and it will lose suction, I then have to empty the filter that is on the end of the hose in my skimmer basket then start again, as it this isnt bad enought to be doing LITERALLY after 5 seconds of vacuuming i had also noticed dirt going back into the pool once the vacuum filter gets clogged. I did this for a while before I realized I was not making much ground if any with the return of dirty water to the pool. Yes, I was getting rid of a lot of algae but just didnt like the dirty water return. Also, I did add a clarifier and it has cleared up where I can see part of the way into the pool(much more than before). Should I turn the pump off and let this settle and try to vacuum again or see if the pump filter will filter it out? Sounds like i might need some schooling in vacuuming to waste via siphon.....

[PoolDoc]

You can't really do a siphon vacuum with sludge -- it's too heavy and solid.

I started to feel guilty, think maybe I hadn't suggested this:

If you can drain and refill for less than $120, it may be a good idea.If you can drain and refill for less than $120, it may be a good idea.

but I did, in my first post.

Is there a reason why you ruled this out? If you've got layered sludge on the bottom of an Intex pool, you are STILL a long way from cleaned up -- on an Intex at LEAST 10 days.

[costo]

I have actually asked myself that a few times(why didn't I drain). I probably shouldn't call it sludge. It seems to be mostly algae, dirt, bugs and after adding the clarifier some of it has clumped together. Turned the pump off last night and let it settle. This am noticed a few spots where the water is clear and you can see the bottom. There was kind of a horseshoe shape where you could see the dirt and even in those spots the water was still pretty cLear for a ways down. We vacuumed up quite a bit(had to have two people and even then its rough). Going to let it settle and try again

[PoolDoc]

If it will settle, and you can work out a way to get it out, you can clean up more quickly than I indicated.