filter/pump problems - pool newbie

[ryanm]

Dave,
I need to get the other levels correct in the water for the chlorine to work though right? I've got the pH and alkalinity right now but the cyanuric acid is very low. I need to get that up first right or should I just start putting a ton of chlorine in?

Back to the filter, I hooked up the vacuum this weekend and it seemed to be working and all but then I noticed little bits of leaves were coming back into the pool. Also when I put DE into the skimmer it seems a good amount of it comes into the water. Could my filter elements be messed up?

thanks
Ryan

[duraleigh]

Ryan,

I have sand, not DE, so cannot comment accurately on the filter. That said, NO filter should be putting ANYTHING visible in your pool....you should only see clear water returning. Other will advise on how to inspect/correct your filter problem but you do have a problem.

Secondly, apply your Cl dosage at dusk, when the Sun is off the pool. It will be very effective against organics when there is no Sun to kill it. With no CYA, you should bring your Cl level up to 10-12ppm at dusk and then test the next morning. Any drop in Cl during the night will indicate that you're still fighting algae. (don't be surprised if most of it is gone). Repeat that procedure each evening until your pool is clear.

Are you holding off CYA for a reason?

Since you have not posted test numbers, I assume you do not have a test kit. That's essential for getting and keeping your pool sparkling.

[ryanm]

I did put a bucket of stabalizer in Sunday night and Monday morning. I tested the water tues and the CYA was still low. I've been getting my water tested at the pool store for about 2 weeks now and only the last time did they tell me I needed stabalizer. I'm going back to the store tonight or tomorrow to get more shock and have it tested again. "shock" is what I should put in right? And pretty much do a crap load? I can't overdo it right?

thanks
Ryan

[mama's_pool]

Ryan,
I previously had some of the problems you describe. I had to resort to using a Floccing agent to get the dead algae/particles to cling to each other and fall to the bottom, making it easy to vacuum them out of the pool. One year, the water was so bad (we had a tree overhead and winter cover sprung a leak), the water looked as thick as playdough! I shocked constantly, and used a gallon of algaecide by the time i was done. The process took about a week. From totally green, pasty-looking to cloudy to finally clear. What i found out that year was it was best to vacuum to clumps off the bottom and out of the pool rather than recycling the water. I eventually needed about 3-4 more inches of water, but it was the Floc that worked for me. I then kept a bottle of Floc on hand.