Need some advice on swimming pool filter

Hello All, I'am having a hard time getting the pool water clear, can not see the bottom of pool from the alge. I've shocked this pool 3 time's and added algecide, the sand filter i have just isnt doing the job. Has anyone tried that other stuff in their sand filter? I think it is called zeobright. Whenever i vacum my pool i can see the green alge passing right through the sand filter and coming back into the pool from the return!! What can i do? I know what i want to do!! Any input will be very helpful.

Have you changed the sand in the filter? We had that problem a few years ago and changing the sand did the trick.We replace it every 2-3 years. Edited to add: Are you backwashing the filter as needed? If the water is really icky, you'll have to backwash and rinse more often.

Yes i just put new sand in it, still no luck! I have to be doing something wrong! Just cant get the water to clear up

had the same problem also and changed the sand as well as cleaned the housing real good, then indeed had to back wash it a zillion times to get all the alge clear as it had been closed up for several years prior.

Pool water should be replaced every 10 years I am told. the liquid clorine from the pool stores really did the job on the alge but it took time, lots of backwash, and patience. I actually put my dry-suit on with the hooka and cleaned the bottom with the pool vac hose for the thick stuff at first

I agree nothing as big as algae should pass through filter sand. I do believe your filter is contaminated with algae and it does grow in dark places. Clean filter insides and change sand and dump a couple bottles of Clorox bleach (chlorine) in the pool (shock it) and you should be ok. When we get some constant sun that should also help kill the algae but keep an eye on Ph the sun tends to delete chlorine. Soda ash will help maintain ph.

Bill S.

Hit it hard with algaecide and get some "flocculant". I forget the brand name that I used to use. Just ask at the pool store. The algae is so small it will just pass through the filter. The floc will bind all those bits together and they'll sink to the bottom. Then just vacuum as normal.

theo wrote: I think it is called zeobright.

I use Zeobest. Heres the link....
http://www.americasbestpoolsupply.com/p ... media.aspx
I love it and would never use plain sand again. Shop around, you might be able to find it cheaper, but keep in mind, it was expensive.
But it sounds like you need to dump your pool water and clean the liner out with bleach. That much algea would strain any filter media.

DVC500 at last wrote:But it sounds like you need to dump your pool water and clean the liner out with bleach. That much algea would strain any filter media.

If it is an above ground pool, I would not drain it. You are pretty much guaranteed to need a new liner if you do. I would not use Clorox, go to the chemical supply house and get the 12-15% bleach (shock).

We have a really small pool, like 4 ft X13 ft. Just thought I'd mention it because this was excellent chance to provide yet another reason coal is great. The old man ran one hose from the hot water so the kids could play in it while it was filling. Was little chilly that day. Just let it stoke for a while and turned it off for the most part and let the idle keep the temp up, didn't need it screaming hot.

Sorry, back to your regularly scheduled topic.

We had the same problem this year. Tried everything you;d normally try. Pool expert ran a special test for Phosphates and "it was off the chart". Apparently phosphates promote algae growth. $40 bottle of Phosphate "stuff", three days of back washing, vacuuming out to waste, we are in good shape again.

Maybe ask your pool place to check for phosphates? just a thought...

I would first try clarifier, follow directions on bottle, run filter continually & after a day backwash. Another product is lump alum, fill pool to very top, add alum to skimmer basket, run filter overnight. Water should clear up but you will need to vac pool using the "drain" setting on your filter. Both clarifier & alum grabs suspended particles, with clarifier the particles become big enough for the filter to catch, with alum particles sink to the bottom of the pool. A good tip, when draining the pool at the end of the season run the pump using the "backwash" or "rinse" setting, it helps clean the filter.

Most sand filters work better when they have "a little" dirt in them. I was going to switch to Zeobrite until I learned not to backwash the filter excessively clean. As soon as the backwash turns clear I stop the cycle.

Changing the spider gasket on the multiport valve made a huge difference on mine. Gasket wasn't chewed up, just had hardened up and didn't seal 100%

djackman wrote:Most sand filters work better when they have "a little" dirt in them. I was going to switch to Zeobrite until I learned not to backwash the filter excessively clean. As soon as the backwash turns clear I stop the cycle.

Changing the spider gasket on the multiport valve made a huge difference on mine. Gasket wasn't chewed up, just had hardened up and didn't seal 100%

You're right about the spider gaskets. I forgot about that. The past few years ours have been swelling and getting distorted and if they don't seal on the multiport valve correctly, it doesn't filter because the water is leaking through. Our first gasket lasted for ten years, then we started replacing them at least once a year. They are definitely not he same quality they were, I could venture a guess where they are being manufactured now, lol.

djackman wrote:Most sand filters work better when they have "a little" dirt in them.

Some suggest a little diamataceous earth added through the skimmer will tighten them up too.

When you vaccuum up that much stuff, you've got to go filter to waste....................