First test readings of season

[michael3]

I read some posts about people changing there impeller to slow the water flow, is that a good option? right now replacing the pump really isnt doable financially. could I maybe go with a 1 hp impeller?

[BigDave]

I share Watermom's suspicion that the pump may be too big for the filter. Would you please (and if you already have , I'm sorry for asking again) give us exact manf. and model for pump motor and filter?
Recirc is fine if you want to - I don't see that it matters much if you don't have to backwash your filter very often. I'd like to hear that the pool water has gone from greenish to blue /gray. Once the algae is dead, I'd try to let it settle if possible and vac to waste.
Last year we saw several instances of oversize pumps pushing dead algae right through undersized sand filters.

Are you comfortable installing a valve between the pump and the filter to throttle flow and make the filter more effective?

[michael3]

Thanks BigDave, No problem with giving you that info again, its a Hayward Powerflo LX pump 1.5 hp says (70GPM) on it. Sand filter is a Hayward S200 and for the first time I read the filtration is 44 GPM ? Yikes so the pump is way way to big. Every since we paired these 2, 3 seasons ago we have always had great water but we started with good water, never tried to clean a swamp before. The pressure valve runs pretty constant at about 17psi on filter or recirculate, and about 10 on backwash. I of course run pvc plumbing and I do have a manual shutoff valve between the skimmer and pump, would that work or do I want it between pump and filter. I tested the water a few minutes ago and my FC was 32 and CC less than.5

[BigDave]

I missed the post about changing the impeller - that would work. I don't know if it's available for your pump but you could go down to 3/4 or 1/2 hp.
I think you could also throttle the flow with the suction side valve if that valve can be partly closed. You'll need to listen carefully for cavitation as the pressure on the suction side of the impeller gets lower and lower.
If the pressure is 17 on recirculate, what is it on filter?
After you get a little clearer - or kill the green, you might try to put a little DE in the skimmer and watch for it to come out the return. If it doesn't, you could try putting enough DE in to raise the filter pressure by 1lb. This can help filter finer particles. This should probably done in conjuction with getting your flowrate through the filter down. Probably want to wait on the DE till the green is gone.

[michael3]

BigDave, pressure on filter is the same as on recirculate is runs 17, runs about 10 on backwash. I closed the valve between my skimmer and pump alittle bit, the pressure on the gauge dropped to about 10 psi, but the flow coming back into the pool felt just as strong, and it sounded like it was putting alot of pressure on the plumbing lol. I posted under the pump forum about my sand, I put new quikrete pool filter sand in from home depot, the size of the sand is .85-.425, the sand filter says use .45-.55mm is this about the same? wondering now again if I damaged a lateral when I put new sand in. I cant tell if I`m blowing sand in the pool, I can still only see about 8 inches down.

[michael3]

I just went out to pool and decided to look at the old sand that came out of my filter, and the new sand that had blown out the backwash pipe when I first put it in, the new sand was alot finer was no where the size of the old sand that came out. Think I will empty the sand filter and double check the laterals and again replace the sand, this time with pool store sand and not pool filter sand from home depot. I know the pump is to big for my filter but this has to help I think lol

[michael3]

I havent had a chance to change the sand yet, I tested my water at 10:30 last night and had a FC of 32.5 and CC of less than .5( it didnt even need a full drop to clear it), this morning at 8:00 I tested and FC dropped 1 to 31.5 and CC was still less than .5 Water is still a lime green color and very cloudy, cant see over 8 inches down. When I added all those bags of shock Xtra blue, I think it was 12 of them over a span of a week, copper was .26% of the ingredient. Is there a chance I`m dealing with a copper issue and not an algae issue? FC has been at or slightly above 30 for going on 5 days now

[Watermom]

Yes, I think it is likely. I'm going to ask Ben to have a look at this thread and get his take on it.

[michael3]

Thanks watermom, it's so frustrating, to think I am the cause of this mess lol. I was reading on a very similar site that uses BBB method that when copper is the reason for the green water, it's usually clear green and a seqesturant? Lol will help with the color. Well ours is green and cloudy, I'm almost thinking its a copper(green water) and cloudy is the dead algae that won't filter out with my mismatched overpowered pump/filter and maybe wrong sand. Sorry for long post

[PoolDoc]

+ Post your pH, alkalinity and CYA test results, and tell me how you tested.

+ Do NOT use any more products with copper

+ List -- exact names of product and manufacturers -- all specialty pool chemicals used this season: algaecides, clarifiers, sequestrants, phosphate products, etc.