Opening Pool....Filter Builds Pressure Right Away...Is Normal?

[NullQwerty]

Hi all. I had started a new thread because this one was specific to the filter and I needed a plan of attack on how to open without the filter. I probably should have kept it as one and regret that now (sorry bbb). That thread is at http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=1803 I'll continue on there from now on.

So, the last thing I had said was that I would vacuum to waste, but quickly found out that without a waste line, that's asking for trouble (where do I put all the water...it would kill my lawn, right?).

I did start bumping and draining at a higher PSI. Ussaully at about 20-25 PSI there was little to no water flow in the pool. That's when I did it, but unfortunately it only took a 1/2 hour or so for that to happen. I went through another 25 lb bag of DE this way, and without a seperation tank and waste line, I had to come up with another plan of action...and quick.

But then I found out I was mistaken in my thinking and it is safe to add certain chemicals to the pool despite not having the pump running. So, tonight I went to the pool store and bought 5 gallons of liquid chlorine shock and poured it all around the pool (did at about 5:00 pm this evening). Also, at the suggestion of the pool store guy, I have three 3" chlorine tablets in floaters.

I also bought the acid wash to clean the filter (just for good measure). I plan to do that in the morning.

So, in the morning I'm going to retake my readings. and see where I am.

My readings prior to adding the chemicals were:
Saturation Index: -0.7
TDS: 500
CYA: 70
Tot Chlorine: 0.3
Free Chlorine: 0.3
pH: 8.2
Demand Drops: 2
Total Alkalinity: 36
Adj. Total Alk.: 15
Total Hardness: 82

bbb...Didn't know about the Live Algae factor. Most people I've talked to seem to be shocked when they I hear I've gone through 50 lbs of DE, but it's nice to know that in fact it's not actually that uncommon. Also, I hadn't heard of the finger cleaners, but I definitly will pick that up. Thx