Expert: Lynn bellay Date: 7/1/2008 Subject: Pool algae and pump issues
Question QUESTION: Wow where do I start. About a month ago I had very thick green algae in my 25,000 gallon black pebble tec pool. We opted not to drain due to us draining not long ago. We bought brand new system 3 cartridge filters and tried clearing up. It took alot but it did stay clear for about a week. Night before last the algae grew back but not as bad. I went to my local pool store and they told me to use a algaecide which I did, I also put in a clarifier and tonight used 4 1lb bags of calcium hypoclorite for shock because I had zero chlorine. All other values were in normal range. We have been cleaning out the filter like crazy. I am afraid that the algae has ruined my filter because when we clean it out it will be at 10 for maybe a hour and then bounce right back up to 20. Is it possible to ruin your filter by overcleaning it? I have heard alot of people talk about backwashing? I am not sure how to do this or even if I can with our filter. Is there another cause that could be causing the filter to increase the pressure so rapidly? I am getting so fed up with the pool. We are ready to drain it. I didnt want to do this but I just might have to, to get rid of the algae. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
ANSWER: To start double shock your pool after sundown put all vac equiptment in shallow end of pool ,run filter for 3 hours,shut filter off.Clean filter[hose off cartridges],if algae is heavy vac to waste[turn handle to vac to waste,make sure to keep water level up.Have water tested again.Adjust water to correct chemistry.Add algaecide.Double shock again,this will be 2 or 3 days after last shock.Vac again in the morning.If water is not clearing add coagulant and vac again as per instructions.Continue to keep chemistry up.I shock once every 2 weeks,add clearifier every 2 weeks.Lynn
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QUESTION: Thank you lynn. I did do a heavy dose of shock put in the clarifier and the algaecide already. it is now clear today. I cleaned out the filters today also. Any ideas why it keeps jumping up to 20psi so fast? is it just because there is so much junk in the pool to filter out? I will double shock in a few days again. also i am not sure how to vacume to waste? i have never done that before..
Thanks
Answer To vac to waste its exactly regular vacuuming except the handle is on vac to waste or something similar on your particular filter.Make sure you have plenty of water in the pool as this uses water rapidly.When you clean your filters are you soaking them as per directions on bottle?If pressure is going up the filter is dirty.I don't know how much dirt their still is.When vacuuming be sure to move head slowly.Lynn
