New Pool - Flow doesnt seem right

[jeremyweber]

Hi,

We recently bought a new house with an in ground pool. Ive been busy trying to get everything set up and believe I have done so correctly. However, one thing I have noticed is that flow rate to the pool and the suction at the skimmer dont really seem to be strong. I cant tell for certain because this is our first season with the pool.

I have noticed two things - If i turn the filter valve to recirculate it seems the flow is much, much stronger. Is this normal? Also the owners manual for the filter states to open the air relieve valve when starting until a steady stream of water comes out. I get a very weak stream here as well. When opened the pressure gauge drops to 0 and backup to a little more than 10 when closed.

Can anyone advise me as to whether or not it working correctly or perhaps to improve flow?

Pool Setup
32x16 Inground
Hayward Microclear Vertical Grid DE Filter
Hayward Pump - Not sure at the moment of the model but I know its rated for 24 Sqr Feet. I believe its from the High-Performance Pump series...
2 feeding lines
4 Return lines, 2 in the stairs, one across from it and one in the deep end.


Anyway,

Thanks

J

[waste]

J, welcome to the forum, sounds like your filter may need to be cleaned. You might want to try backwashing it, if you are unsure as to how to do this just ask and I'll walk you through it. If backwashing doesn't do the trick I've got some other ideas. Keep us posted - good luck!

[jeremyweber]

Thanks for the help, Im hoping you have some ideas, as this has been the most fustrating day, and I if cant resolve it, Ill need to call in some pros.
At one point, I was thinking &#**# it - just cover the thing back up.

Heres what I have done today.

1. Disconnected everything. Cleaned all the threads where pipes connect.
2. Took apart the filter and cleaned it out. There was a lot of gook.
3. Put everything back together.
4. Attempted to vacuum leaves from bottom of the pool, which broke the basket.
5. Went to the store, got a new basket.
6. Tried vacuuming again,

It seemed to be working fine. I am no longer seeing any air collected in the strainer that is connected to the pump. Pump pressure starts at 10 and gets to 20/25 fairly quickly ( 30 minutes or so. ). When the pressure gets to 20/25 there is a noticable decrease in the flow.

Additionally vacuuming is tough. The water is so green and murky right now, its hard to make out anything in the deep end. And it seems that the suction is only good for 10 minutes or so.

Questions

1. It says to backwash for 2/3 minutes on the filter. Is that the right? We are on a well, so water is precious.
2. Should I add more DE everytime I backwash?
3. When I turn the valve from backwash to filter, there is a lot gurgling and I can see lots of air bubbles.
4. As stated in my first post, the stream of water I get when I open the air relief valve is just a dribble. Is this normal?

Someones got to help me save face... You see I originally was going to have someone open the pool until I found out what they charged. I figured I had done our above ground pool at the prior house before and it was no big deal. I really dont want to have someone comeout but I am at my wits end.

Unless of course anyone on this board is from CT, thinks they can help and has a free afternoon, I would certainly supply the pizza and beer...

[waste]

Sorry I can't help you right now, sometings come up in my personal life that can't be ignored - I had 1/2 a response written, but can't do the follow through. Real quick, you're not backwashing correctly, yes add more de after backwashing, don't worry about the 'gurgulling'. I'll expand tomarrow, but I've gotta go right now . Sorry

[jeremyweber]

Eagerly waiting your reply, although I cant for the life of me figure out how I can be screwing up backwashing.... With that said, you would not believe the things that I can screw up.

Heres how I am doing it now.

1. Turn pump off
2. Turn valve to backwash.
3. Turn pump on
4. Wait until water is clear.
5. Turn pump off
6. Move handle to filter.
7. Add more DE.
8. Turn pump on.

Just for the record, I also have dial-a-flow controls on the pipes into and out of the pump/filter. Dont know if that matters or not.

Thanks again and I really appreciate it.

[rmeden]

I repeat the steps a few times seems to help get more of the DE out.

Don't forget to tear down the filter and clean it every few backwashes.... I just did mine... it was a mess! (after backwashing)

I know you're supposed to turn the pump off when changing the valve, but I usually don't.. it's only between positions for a fraction of a second.

Robert