using the bbb chart

[sobrien2]

I am adding a 121 oz of bleach each evening to keep the cl level at 20ppm till my tester comes in, can anyone tell me why areas of dirt keep showing up on the floor. Is this algae that is decaying in the water?

[PoolDoc]

Sorry, you didn't get a helpful reply.

I assume the problem is still going on? If so, FEEL the dirt particles.

=> If it's sand from your filter you'll be able to feel the particles. If it's sand, try using the "rinse" position on your filter valve (assuming it has that position; most do) for 15 seconds after you backwash. Then turn the handle to "FILTER". Sometimes, if the pump is pushing sand OUT of the filter during backwash, some of the sand will get into the pipes, and then into your pool once the FILTER position is again used. The RINSE position can avoid this.

HOWEVER, you'll need to watch out for sand loss: if it continues to occur, you'll end up with a filter that can't filter!

=> If it's NOT gritty (like sand) but will sweep away, there's a good chance it's mustard algae. Let us know, and we'll help you with that.


By the way, I've upgraded your forum privilege level.

[sobrien2]

I have continued to run the cl at 15 +ppm, waiting for the rest of my test kit to arrive. I had the same sand looking issue last year. I always rinse following a backwash and I have not backwashed following a vac and the sand still is showing up. Its not in great amounts, but in the creases and bumps of the liner. Any Ideas?

[PoolDoc]

Is it sand?

Get some and see. If it REALLY is sand, it's almost certainly from your filter.

[sobrien2]

I just checked it, it is not gritty and if you move your foot or hand over it , it goes away. Its a very light brown and only in small depressed areas or where the liner is wrinkled.

[Watermom]

Could it just be dirt? In most every pool, dirt likes to settle along those very areas that you mentioned --- in depressed areas or in wrinkles or seams in the liner.

[sobrien2]

I was hoping so, it gathers every 2-3 days and I am running filter 24 hrs. Is it normal to run it 24 hours?

[Watermom]

You don't need to run the pump that much. I typically only run mine about 8 hours per day and some people do less.

If it is dirt, you have to be very careful when you vaccum to move the vac head REALLY slowly. Otherwise, the dirt just gets into the suspension of the water and you don't see it. But, then, when the water quiets back down, it redeposits back on the floor and gets in those same nooks and crannies as before. It happens in my pool if I get in too big of a hurry while vacuuming.

Try to vacuum and go extra slow and see if you can get it out. Not to say you're not going to get more because you will. There is no way to have a perfectly pristine outdoor pool all the time. Believe me, I try! But, there is always going to be dust and dirt blowing in the air and there are always going to be leaves and bugs.

Let us know a day after you vacuum if it took care of it.

[Watermom]

Also, just to verify ----- you did try the 'overnight test,' right?

That is where you test your pool in the evening after the sun is off of it, and then again in the morning within an hour or so of sunrise. If you lose no more than 1ppm of chlorine overnight, then most likely it is not algae.

[sobrien2]

yes its hard to tell with out the add on to my tester im waiting on so i have run it at 20 ppm since we talked.