looks like sand in pool...

[maryberrye]

16600 IG vinyl pool
FC 5.0
CC 0
PH 7.6
CYA 38
TA high at 200 but because it's vinyl we aren't worried about that
Sand filter

We also keep getting something in the pool. Even though the water was crystal clear we kept getting little blobs of something in the bottom, never anything on the sides, just the bottom. We were worried it was mustard algae so took the steps out of the pool, shocked the heck out of it, vacuumed to waste.

What we discovered after more than a week of experimenting was, whatever it is, it is coming out of the filter. If we don't run the filter the pool stays crystal clear with no little blobs. AFter reading this above posts and the description of pollen, I think that's probably what we have. We've always had to vacuum these blobs very slowly or they cloud up and disappear into the water.

Since our filter and sand are only four summers old, we really don't want to have to change the sand, and from reading, it sounds like it wouldn't matter anyway, because pollen will just keep going through the filter. I am intrigued by Carl's mention of adding DE to the filter thru the skimmer. I read the post that he's used only 5# of DE over the last 2 seasons and was wondering, for our size of pool, how much to start with?

I should also add, we live at the end of a cul-de-sac that acts like a wind tunnel blowing everything our way, and are in the heart of the San Joaquin valley in CA, so there's more than enough pollen blowing around to explain our funky phenomenom

Thank you in advance.

Mary

[aylad]

Carl and Poconos, when they use DE in their filters, only add enough to increase the pressure by 1.....I'm thinking they add about a cup, but I'll have to check on that. I would backwash the filter, notice your pressure reading, then add about 1/2 cup of DE and see what that does to your pressure. If you put too much in, you can always backwash it out.

Edit: Here's a link to CarlD's procedure. Hope it helps!
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...g+sand+filters

Janet

[CarlD]

Carl and Poconos, when they use DE in their filters, only add enough to increase the pressure by 1.....I'm thinking they add about a cup, but I'll have to check on that. I would backwash the filter, notice your pressure reading, then add about 1/2 cup of DE and see what that does to your pressure. If you put too much in, you can always backwash it out.

Edit: Here's a link to CarlD's procedure. Hope it helps!
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...g+sand+filters

Janet

Start with 1/4 to 1/3 cup. Wait 20-30 minutes after adding it and check the pressure. Enough to raise it 1 to 2 lbs, max. If you don't get a full lb increase, add a little more. I use about 1/2 cup myself.

If you use to much you'll see drain and return pressure will drop and the dial will go up. Simply backwash to clear it out.

You'll need to add more DE after you backwash--every time. But don't worry--I'm still on my first 10 lb box after 3-4 years!

[maryberrye]

Thanks a bunch aylad and Carl

[heatherc]

we have trouble with pollen on occasion as well...I find using a skimmer sock works wonders to trap the finer particles.
in regards to sand in my pool, everything is back in order now, new sand and all. Looking forward to nice clean water!

[CarlD]

we have trouble with pollen on occasion as well...I find using a skimmer sock works wonders to trap the finer particles.
in regards to sand in my pool, everything is back in order now, new sand and all. Looking forward to nice clean water!

Yeah, I do the same thing. Skimmer socks and DE in the sand filter are two things that give INCREDIBLE bang for the buck in terms of their effectiveness. If I spend $15/season on both combined that's a lot! Particularly in the spring when the pollen is downright vicious, the skimmer socks make a HUGE difference and you don't have to backwash nearly as often.