White cloudy water

[bb158]

Doc, Thanks for the advise. The algae is dead and appears that most is gone. What i have now is a very fine silt looking stuff. When it settles it is almost black, not the brown you see with dead algae. It is like the filter is not stopping the fine particles. Someone told me that sand can wear out where the particles get smooth and rounded. Is this true? Would replacing the sand help? Thanks again for the assist. -bb

[PoolDoc]

That old claim that sand wears out has been around for years, but I've never seen any evidence that it's true.

What does happen is that pools are build with undersized filters and oversized pumps, which (a) forces dirt THROUGH the filter and (b) causes sand loss on backwash. Check your filter's sand level. If it is low, (a) refill and (b) install a valve between the pump and filter and throttle the flow back, to maybe 1/2 of normal. Then, vacuum your pool.

[CarlD]

Most sand owners will tell you just the opposite: Old sand filters better than new sand. As more junk clings permanently to the sand and doesn't backwash out, it actually filters MORE than new sand. I'm in my 11th season with the same sand, and our other long-time sand owners have gone much longer. I do add a little DE after I back wash, and use skimmer socks, especially in May and June when the pollen is very, very heavy. The sock catches the pollen, so much that it looks like yellow spackle!

I did have to replace my pump this season, but not my filter or sand. Went with another 1hp 2 speed Hayward Super Pump.