Chem log, to see....

[RedwingT]

Charlie I have been dealing with basically the same thing when it comes to the algae for about the last month. I've succumbed to keeping it covered unless we are going to be using it and chl at 30 for the last week. I vacuum out the algae before use and with the chl levels that high I seem to be keeping it at a minimal. It's not a huge problem, nor has it ever been this summer, but it is there in some of the wrinkles and a bottom seam. No slime at all either. Someday's I think it's just dirt and I'm going mad! lol But it has to be algae because when it's disturbed it disappears. Not to mention the brown filter I just changed a few days ago. Those Unicel filters sure do a whole lot better job then the Intex ones! Next year I am getting a bigger filter/pump that's all there is too it. I'm also going to invest in a solar cover so come this time next year the water isn't so cold you don't want to go in it!

Good luck and congratulations on the promotion.

[Charlie_R]

Thank you.

One of the problems we have with these Intex pools, is the flaps at the seams. When I take ours down this fall, I am seriously considering cutting the flaps as close to the heat welded seams as possible. Maybe this will discourage algae from hiding where we have trouble getting to it.

I ordered the 2500gph from Amazon this morning. As noted in my last post, the 1000gph leaves much to be desired.

since I've been battling this algae, I've been brushing the pool twice a day, and that seems to be helping. Keeps the water stirred up for a short while, and maybe brings more of the algae into contact with higher concentrations of chlorine.

[Charlie_R]

New pump arrived today. Installed it this afternoon. What a HUGE difference! Instead of a lethargic circulation from the original pump, I now see water moving all the way around the pool. Now to buy the Unicel carts for this new pump.

Oh I guess I'll need another update on my pool chart... to Intex 633EG pump and filter unit.

[RedwingT]

I think I need to look around Ebay and Amazon to find one. Does the one you bought have a timer on it? I ask because I came across one labeled as a 633T but in the product description it is model #56633EG. I was just wondering if the "T" stands for the timer? It say's 2500 GPH, not sure if its the same one as you have.

Pretty great price too! (I love free shipping!)
I run my pump (637R) now 24/7 and still have probs. I can only imagine the algae bloom if I didn't!

*After reading more I see I would need the conversion kit-Did you order that also or did you use the DIY method? How difficult was it to convert? I seen some used PVC pipe and had no problems as apposed to using the adapters with leaking and loosing suction. I know nothing about plumbing, so I am at a loss! lol *

Those Unicel filters are by far superior to the Intex ones. You will notice a difference the first time you use them.

[Charlie_R]

Here's the one I ordered: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o00_s00_i00 As far as I can tell, the T would be for Timer, yes. The EG seems to mean Electronic timer, with GFCI.

It came with new bulkhead fittings, valves and hoses, and suction/return screens. Good deal for the money!

All that is required for you to use the larger fittings is remove the smaller ones that the 637R needs, and CAREFULLY cut the hole larger to fit the new fittings.

We did ours without a partial drain, by using a large plastic bowl held to the side of the pool while removing the old. Then covered the hole from the outside after enlargement long enough to get the inside portion of the new fitting to the hole. Then the bowl back over the hole, and tighten the ring nut to the fitting, with the valve in place on it. Didn't lose more than a few gallons of water this way.

Yes, I'll be buying the Unicel carts next payday. These Intex branded ones, you can almost see through the filter material, it's that thin. Lets a lot of fine material blow through.

One of the things I really like about the 633 is it's a pressure feed to the filter, instead of a suction through the filter. If I can find a good spot on my filter canister, I'd like to add a pressure gauge, maybe two. One before the filter, and one after. Call it a differential gauge set-up. There actually are gauges made for this purpose, but would require a bit of small tube plumbing, and those gauges get rather expensive.

Agreed on the algae thing. After only one day with the new pump, the much superior water flow had helped kill the algae I do have. Swept the pool several times today, and each time less of the brown crud settled back out. With the smaller pump, it seemed like the brown crud increased.

I don't think you will regret buying the larger unit.

[RedwingT]

Thanks for the info! I love the bowl idea, very clever!

I haven't decided if I'm going to order now or wait until next year. I'm kind of afraid if I don't order now the price will be back up beginning of season thou.

I don't know that I have the confidence to be cutting the holes bigger. I'm going to think about it for a few more days before making my decision. I know it's necessary if I want better flow/circulation as I'm confident that is why I can not totally get rid of this algae. I'm also taking the pool down Labor Day Wknd so would only be using the new pump for a week or so. Not sure that justifies ordering now.

I'm assuming the skimmer that came with your pool isn't adaptable to the new pump fittings? I love the skimmer and use it daily since all of a sudden out of no where we are having a Flying Ant invasion! Started a week ago and it happens almost exactly the same time every day. They land in the water faster than I can hand skim them out, VERY Strange! Every cpl of days I clean out my filter and put it back in. You wouldn't believe the amt. of ants that are in there. The first time I changed the filter out and left the dirty one sitting outside, the next day I went to throw the filter away and as the ants were beginning to dry out they began to fly away. That was even after I poured bleach thru the skimmer the night before I pulled it to help with the algae problem.

I'm not even using my SWCG since I drained, moved and refilled the pool. I just finally got the water balanced in the last cpl of wks and just couldn't justify dumping 120lbs of salt in for maybe 4 weeks of swimming. Those bags are heavy and kill my back, hands and wrists which are already messed up from redoing this pool the second time. Like once wasn't enough! I wish my body was still as young as my brain thinks it is. lol

Ok now I'm just rambling! Thanks again for the info and I'm glad the conversion went well for you & good luck I hope this is the answer to your algae problem.

[Charlie_R]

I think it would be a good idea to order the pump now, and have it on hand for next year. When you set it up again, you can do the conversion before filling.

The bulkhead fittings have two sets of threads inside the pool, so all the inside things will still work with them.

[Charlie_R]

Ok, this is getting annoying. Since I am having a constantly recurring loss of cl overnight, I took it to 35ppm last night. First test this morning showed 25.5ppm, for a loss of almost 10ppm. This is ridiculous. So I am going to try 50+ppm, and risk a bit of liner fading.

It is important to me that I learn to get it right, because this may be the only time I drain for overwinter.

As noted in previous posts, The liner will be cleaned up of as many flaps of extra liner as I can safely do, giving algae less of a place to hide. Those flaps along each seam are difficult to clean out, and keep clean. And may be the source of the recurring problem.

Anyone have any thoughts/feedback?

[Charlie_R]

Ok, I've got the FC up to 50, and I actually have measurable CC of 1, along with a chlorine smell to the water. It would appear that anything less is just holding it down to an "it's still here" level. We'll see how much I lose overnight.

[aylad]

If you smell it, then it's working on something! Might want to check it again before you go to bed, because if you're smelling it, then you've already lost some to CC.....