I think it is the tank and not algae

[kbcpa]

Thank you Carl! So, it is possible that the problem lies in the filtration system then. Will this cause the backwashing problem I described also? Is my water just recirculating and not filtering? What is happening to the stuff I'm vacuuming to waste - my pool is draining when we do this, but my only guess now is that somehow the dirt/algae is getting back into the pool rather than flowing out with the water. Am I on the right track?

Again, thanks so much for the help. All I have heard from the pool store is that I have algae in my water. Possibly, but if that much algae was dying out and dropping to the bottom within minutes I don't think my water would be sparkling clear.

[duraleigh]

Kim,

In "waste" position, NO water should reenter the pool. Can you not verify that by placing your hand over the return eyeballs? There is no other reentry point for the water other than the returns.

Can you see the water exiting the pool in the "waste" position?

[kbcpa]

Hi Dave,

Yes, water is exiting the pool, but within minutes some of the stuff is back on the bottom of the pool. We can vacuum to waste and see some stuff reappear immediately. Then, if we shut the filter down and restart it a few hours later, it looks like it all reappears around the outer edge of the pool (in the line of circulation). The backwash thing has me stumped too. In the past the water would come out with a lot of force during backwashing and there would always be some dirty water come out weekly. Not this year - we have about half of the pressure when backwashing and absolutely no dirty water coming out. A couple of years ago we had a huge algae bloom after a heavy rain and the water was totally green. We shocked and cleared it up and vacuumed the dead algae to waste one time. One time was all it took. My water has been clear all year. This stuff was on the bottom when we took the cover off in May and we still can't get it out. There is absolutely no slimy feeling anywhere in the pool and the water is clear. That is why I think it has to be the filtration system.

Thanks!

[duraleigh]

I suspect the filter as well but your answer is not clear to me. Let's try it another way.

If you put the filter in "waste" or "backwash" position and turn on the pump, can you feel or see water going back into the pool?

[kbcpa]

Oh my, I feel like such an idiot! Dave, I just went out to check, and yes - on waste I can feel a lot of pressure coming back into the pool. There is some on backwash, but not as much. Duh, why didn't I simply stick my hand in front of the return jet two months ago????? We couldn't see any water coming back in, or at least didn't notice it.

So, what to do to fix this? Is it a spider gasket? My tank is just 2 or 3 years old.

Thanks so much!

[duraleigh]

Now you're makin' progress!

The most likely culprit IS the spider gasket. The handle that's labeled "waste", "backwash", "filter", etc. is the multiport valve and the spider gasket is located down inside that.

It is quite possible to locate the instructions for changing that out online. If you can find them, determine if it's a task you want to take on or have someone else do it.

I know you have some algae/chlorine/water issues to deal with as well but I would suggest you fix the valve first (pretty soon) and then post back up and we'll all help you get your pool back to sparkling clear.

[kbcpa]

Thanks Dave - my water is sparkling now - just has the debris on the bottom. We took of the multiport and located what we think is the gasket - it is the only rubbery piece on there divided into sections and is an off-white color. To me it looked okay, but hubby noticed it had a ridge around the outside with one side being high and the other being low and what looked like a pinch. He is on his way to get one now. If it isn't the spider gasket, do I need a new multiport? It appears to be turning correctly.

Wow, I feel like I finally may win this battle! I'm just frustrated that I repeatedly told the pool store what was going on and they said "everyone is battling algae this year - you just have to keep shocking and vacuuming" - grr.

[tenax]

maybe a dumb question, but i'm assuming this is a sand filter? if so, is the sand nice and soft when you put your hand and run it through it, or is it hard?

[MarkC]

You are shutting off the pump before moving the multiport handle position correct?