First test readings of season

[PoolDoc]

@stma, I'm moving your posts back to your thread. Let's discuss Michael's pool here,
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?20216
and your pool, there:
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?20437

@Michael3: you may want to reconsider the partial drain -- if you drain 1/2 of your pool, and refill, your pool will be LESS cloudy, but it will still be cloudy. Unfortunately, once you get a cloud of particles that won't settle and won't filter . . . it can take a VERY long time to remove them unless you install a DE filter. Even if you drain 90%, you are likely to have a 'hazy' pool when you refill.

Of course, you do not want to drain more than you can safely do -- with an AG pool, you may be able to drain 100%, but with partially buried, or oval pools, you may only be able to drain 80% without risking pool damage.

Also, I would encourage you to make SURE you're good to go, on refill. You got where you are, thanks to algae and additives. You want to make sure you're prepared to avoid a recurrence. For example, if you are going on vacation in 2 weeks, you might want to hold off on the drain till you get back. You'd hate to drain, refill, and then re-cycle due to algae while on vacation!

At a minimum, you probably want:
+ A K2006 + any refills needed.
+ A bucket of undiluted dichlor (Sams Club or Amazon)
+ Floater and some tabs, if you have a vacation to manage in the next few weeks.
+ 2 - 4 quarts of polyquat

Everything else, you should be able to get locally.

[michael3]

Thanks Ben, I really dont want to do the drain/refill. I just got my shut off valve installed between pump and filter, got psi reduced down from 17 to 10 and the flow into the pool has slowed. Will keep the chlorine up and run it like this and see what happens. At what pressure do you think it would be ok to try and add alittle DE to the skimmer? Cheapest I have found that stuff is lowes and they want $24 for a 24 lb box, I dont need that much lol

[PoolDoc]

You can add DE at any time. But test it first: if it blows through the filter and out the returns, you need to work on filter (slowing flow, adding sand) before adding more.

Buying small amounts of DE is hard, and if you want to clean up a cloudy pool, it may end up taking quite a bit anyhow, since filter runs may be very short. If you store the leftovers in a covered plastic bucket, it will last indefinitely.

[stma]

Michael: Just dumped in the DE Powder..... Took about a cupful+ to get the pressure up 2 PSI points... I'll let ya know the results...

[stma]

How did you do with new sand ?? Hopefully, that was your problem the entire time.... I too changed out my sand a few weeks back,,,, but i guess you dont wanna hear that it made no difference in the cloud !! : > I t did pick up a ton of crud out of the water though..
Let me know how you make out... Hopefully I'll post some good news pertaining to the DE powder now in my filter.... the PSI went up 50% so I know it didnt blow through the laterals and back into the pool.....
Thinking the DE will be the final straw in this scenario... i already started looking at winter covers to close this chapter in my summer : >

[michael3]

Got the new sand in, no loss on backwash put 1/3 cup of DE slurry in and psi went up 1. Then the storm hit lol waiting on it to pass so I can go check on it

[michael3]

Thanks for all the help Ben, I went out after the storm and pressure had risen about 6 psi and it being late I back washed. Pressure back down to 10. Going to wait till morning to add more DE. I'm actually optimistic about this, I know it will take time. A question I have, when I backwash and the DE comes out and hopefully dead algae, can I see it? From what I saw on my backwash it wasn't real cloudy, and I back washed for about 2 minutes