Can't get rid of dead algae

[Watermom]

Does the chlorine test have you match colors of pink to determine the reading with 5ppm being the highest value on the scale? If so, that is the Taylor K2005. It is not quite the same as the K2006 (which can test much higher chlorine levels) but if you order the K1515 I mentioned above, you will have the missing test that you will need. It is an add-on kit so not as expensive.

I'm pretty sure your sand filter doesn't use 3-5 lbs. At least I hope not! Most sand filter have between 100-350 lbs of sand. Is there a model number or something so we could look it up? The reason I am so interested in this is because unfortunately, I'm afraid you have a poorly matched filter and pump. You have a mighty big pump for a 24ft AG pool. In the case of pool pumps, bigger is NOT better. What happens is that when a big pump is paired with a small filter, instead of filtering well, the power of the pump simply forces debris through the sand bed and back into the pool. We see this all the time here on the forum. People think they are getting a good thing when they get a big pump but in reality, it is a problem. (Just to give you a comparison -- I have a 27ft AG pool and have a 1/2 hp pump paired with a 300lb sand filter.) It is much better to have a smaller pump paired with a large filter than the other way around.

This mismatch makes it that much harder to clean up a pool so we'll have to keep our fingers crossed that your combo will get the job done.

If you can't attach a pic, another option (though slower) is to email them to poolforum@gmail.com and include your thread # (24371) in the email so the pictures can get posted in the correct thread.

I have let Ben know that I would like for him to pop in on your thread, so hopefully he'll get to it before too long.

[Cleggette]

That made me laugh out loud. I told you I was very new at this. The test kit does make us match the color up after we have added the drops to it.
Our pool is a 28ft x 52
The pump is a optiflo 1.5 hp
Sand filter is a sparco hi rate sand filter
Serial#0518004130200m
There's a number at the bottom 49269842
P/n # 272526
Container id is. Site E
Date 1/4/2013
I looked through all of my paperwork and can't find anywhere where it says how many pounds of sand.

[PoolDoc]

Ok. Let me see if I can summarize.

+ You've had a swamp, and, thanks to your pool store, your swamp is somewhat less swampy, but it now contains a chemical hobo soup, including copper. Your CYA = ~80 ppm

+ You've added floc, cellulose fiber, copper algaecide among other things.

+ At one point the pool was clear, but now it's cloudy.

+ You've got stains, of unknown origin and yellowish in color.

Is all that correct?

Assuming it is, here are some next steps:

1. As W-M told you STAY away from that store; they are using you as their personal bank!

2. Keep your chlorine level up.

3. Do a complete set of tests, and then fill out this form:

http://pool9.net/pf-pool-form/

You can see what you've entered, here:

http://pool9.net/pf-hist-chart/

I'm not completely clear on the CURRENT condition of the water in your pool -- is any algae still present?

4. Do NOT add any more clarifier, floc, or algaecides. Some of those products are incompatible with each other, and there's really no way to tell which is which. (Even we don't know, because the makers try to hide exactly what they put in their products.)

5. Use a tape measure or yard stick and measure as best you can the WIDTH or diameter of your sand filter.

[Cleggette]

As of last night when we brushed it yes there was a yellow algae still in the pool. The only thing I have done to it since Monday is add bleach yesterday and brush it. I will measure the sand filter and do the complete test when I get home. Thank you again for your help. And yes everything you said is right except it isn't really a swamp just a light brownish yellow on the bottom which is now as of yesterday yellow.

[Cleggette]

Hello. Ok the diameter of the sand filter is 62" with a tape measure. I got home just in time to take the readings on the pool before it rained.

CL 7.5
Total chlorine 7.5
PH 8.0
Total alk 150
Calcium hardness 300
CYA 80
The pool is 90 degrees and the pump is running 24/7. Came home today and I can barely see the bottom of the pool.

I filled out the form with all my info about the pool and where I live but I can't find where to input my test results?

[PoolDoc]

So, an 18" sand filter => 27 GPM max flow rate for optimum filtration.

I looked up the Optiflo pumps -- they are 30 - 80 GPM pumps, which is WAY too much for that filter. I spent some time making up the image below.The original image is the Pentair data for the Optiflo pumps. I've overlaid some data for 18" SD40 and 21" SD60 Sand Dollar filters, which are similar to what you have. I got carried away with the curve, which shows the filters clean, and with a 6 psi (14' head) pressure increase as they get dirty. The pressure loss from the piping and valves is not included.





BUT . . . the curves from the pumps SHOULD cross the curves from the filter, somewhere, and they aren't even close.

What does that mean?

Most likely, instead of your filter having 27 GPM moving through it, it's probably got closer to 50 or 60 GPM! And at that flow rate, the dead algae is simply shoved right through the filter sand. It's the classic OVERSIZED pump, UNDERSIZED filter problem so common with AG pools.

And that problem typically shows up exactly like yours has.

The simplest solution is to install a ball valve between the pump and the filter, that allows you to throttle the flow back. Contrary to what most people think, this will actually REDUCE the amount of electricity your pump consumes.

The best solution is to replace your existing pump with this one:

Hayward SP15922S Power-Flo Matrix Above-Ground Pump 1HP 2-Speed @ Amazon

and then run on low speed except when vacuuming or backwashing.

OK. You can't get a pump immediately, so here are some immediate steps.

1. Do the DE test, to make sure that the sand hasn't been washed out of your pump during backwash. (This happens routinely in the BIG pump - little filter situation.)

2. Repair the filter (add sand?) as needed.

3. Install a ball valve between the pump and filter, and throttle the flow back so the filter shows 12 psi or less when clean.

[Cleggette]

Is the DE test the same thing as the cellulose fiber? We did that an nothing came back in the pool or no powder came in the little bubble so nothing is passing through the filter. I definitely cannot afford a new pump right now. How do I install the ball valve and is there no way to get this algae out of there without doing this? This is frustrating. I have had the pool less than a year.