really cloudy water

[tarak]

I didn't I just put it directly in and at 1:30 this is what I did

took another cup out, added 3/4 then 1/4 nothing came out of return that I saw and pressure only jumped to 16, Then I backwashed, I'm now adding more water cause all the backwashing I've been doing lately has brought my level down

[Watermom]

Ok. Sounds like your filter is working properly. Sometimes the pressure rise isn't immediate. I know when I put it into my filter, I might not see the pressure rise for 20 or 30 minutes. You can continue to use it. It may help to clear your water.

[tarak]

Just a quick mention, our water was so cloudy that we couldn't see the bottom of the pump when you looked in it, I was just out there and for some reason I looked at it and I could actually see the whole basket in there and even the bottom, then I looked over the pool REALLY good and I think I'm beginning to see what looks like our 3rd step, I wonder if this is a sign of good things, or just wishful thinking on my part

[tarak]

Thanks Watermom, You all have been such a wonderful help, I was so lucky to have found this forum, I was at my wits end and feeling helpless, now I feel like the kids will be swimming soon.
How often should I be adding the DE? I don't wanna over or under do it.
I will be testing PH and CL again this evening and adding borax and bleach as necessary.
thank you again

[PoolDoc]

Add DE after each backwash.

[tarak]

ok todays totals of DE have included 1/4 cup nothing from return no pressure increase, 1 cup a lil out of return and a pressure increase from 15 to 18, 3/4 cup immediately followed by 1/4 cup with a slow pressure increase to 16, 3/4 with a pressure increase to 18
I just now tested my water it's 7:30pm here in Tn and my Ph is holding at 7.6 and my CL is at 1.0 maybe a lil higher, I haven't added anything other than the DE since last night(when I added borax and bleach) and water is still cloudy, it's been 1 week since adding any clarifer( per my comments with pooldoc earlier about clarifer)

[PoolDoc]

You gotta understand, clearing water even with an IDEAL pump and filter is not a fast process.

The large country club pool I service has (3) 72" filters, for a total of 85 sft sand surface area. Your filter probably has about 0.8 sft. So, while this pool has about 18x as much water, it has 105x as much filter area. That would be like putting SIX pumps and filters on your pool, instead of one! And it would STILL takes a week to go from slimy green to mostly clear.

You're in a situation where the only fast fix is to drain and refill! This is why I tell people constantly that it's so much easier to avoid algae than to clean it up.

Pool stores LOVE this, because they probably sell 2/3 or even 3/4 of their chemicals cleaning up messes. And the most profitable sales come when pool owners "just can't take it any more" and buy expensive stuff that promises miracles. Of course, the products don't do what they promise, but there are so many 'flavors' of miracle products out there, that the pool store can sell you a new one every month for 10 seasons!

Anyhow, adding DE to your sand filter helps filter fine particles out, that otherwise will go through the Intex filter. But you don't need to backwash every hour. Let the pressure rise at least 6 or 7 pounds before you backwash.

Good luck!

[tarak]

Thank you again for all your help!
I know I sound impatient, but really I just want to make sure I'm doing everything right, I've only bought like 3 items from the pool store then I realized " yeah ya'll are full of it" and started doing my own research and talking to other pool owners, that's how I was able to get rid of the algae on my own, then I found you guys and learned a lot more, like using borax and bleach and DE.
Like I said before we are TOTAL newbies this our first year opening after a winter, the pool was installed late june of last year so yeah total newbie but trust me I've definitely been schooled and won't be visiting the pool store again unless I absolutely have too.
Again I can't thank you enough for your help and appreciate all you do for us pool owners old and new

[Watermom]

This must be a record. In a 40 post thread, I can't believe that neither one of us has suggested that you get a Taylor K2006 test kit. You need it. Nowhere in this thread has a CYA level been mentioned because you have no way to test for it. It is a critical piece of the puzzle. You won't be able to buy this kit locally but can order it through this link:> http://pool9.net/tk/

A chlorine reading of 1ppm is way too low.