Just recently bought a house with an above ground pool and we have been fighting algae for awhile now... we opened the sand filter this evening (we plan on changing the sand out) to drain it and it was filled with algae! Should we go ahead and drain the pool and change the sand out and start fresh? Or should we keep pouring money into the pool and hope it will clear up? Thoughts, directions, any help is very much appreciated!!
Algae in Sand filter
- Thread starter Newbiepoolowner2016
- Start date
Welcome to the forum. First off, algae can't grow inside the filter---------NO sunlight in there! NO need to change your sand---it doesn't wear out. You should visit Pool School and learn how to properly SLAM your pool and stop throwing money at it needlessly. You're gonna need one of our recommended test kits to accomplish this. Please add a signature line in your profile listing your pool and equipment specifics.
Welcome to TFP!
Any algae in your filter got there from your pool. To kill algae in your pool you need to follow this process SLAM Process. I use the TF-100 from TFTestkits.net. It is the best value, here's why, Pool School - Test Kits Compared
Any algae in your filter got there from your pool. To kill algae in your pool you need to follow this process SLAM Process. I use the TF-100 from TFTestkits.net. It is the best value, here's why, Pool School - Test Kits Compared
Hi and welcome
No need to change your sand, it was already a couple of million years old before it went in the filter, a few more years wont hurt it at all
BTW algae is not caused by lack of filtration, but by lack of chlorine
I would however suggest though that you deep clean you filter. I do this to my filter once a year now. Who knows how the previous owner looked after it and at least then you will know your proper clean pressure. Backwash when you get to 25% above the new clean pressure. Instructions are in this post on how to deep clean:
http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/73192-Deep-Cleaning-a-Sand-Filter
The best way to clear a pool reliably and cheaply is with a SLAM as posted above. You need a fas-dpd chlorine test to test the high levels of chlorine, which is why we recommend those test kits mentioned above. You make big ongoing savings by using basic supermarket/big box store chemicals to get rid of the algae and following our easy maintenance regime
We clear 100's of dark green/murky swamps every year, we can clear yours
Keep asking questions and do some reading up in pool school or look at some 'green to clean' or slam posts on the forum. This post has a collection of a few older ones FYI http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/72516-Recovering-my-old-inspirational-links
No need to change your sand, it was already a couple of million years old before it went in the filter, a few more years wont hurt it at all
BTW algae is not caused by lack of filtration, but by lack of chlorine
I would however suggest though that you deep clean you filter. I do this to my filter once a year now. Who knows how the previous owner looked after it and at least then you will know your proper clean pressure. Backwash when you get to 25% above the new clean pressure. Instructions are in this post on how to deep clean:
http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/73192-Deep-Cleaning-a-Sand-Filter
The best way to clear a pool reliably and cheaply is with a SLAM as posted above. You need a fas-dpd chlorine test to test the high levels of chlorine, which is why we recommend those test kits mentioned above. You make big ongoing savings by using basic supermarket/big box store chemicals to get rid of the algae and following our easy maintenance regime
We clear 100's of dark green/murky swamps every year, we can clear yours
Keep asking questions and do some reading up in pool school or look at some 'green to clean' or slam posts on the forum. This post has a collection of a few older ones FYI http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/72516-Recovering-my-old-inspirational-links
YUCKY! Is the sand as "hard packed" as it looks?
If the sand is loose you can do the deep as linked to above.
If your wallet wants to get lighter you can buy new sand but you really do not need to. Chlorine can and will clear the sand and pool up.
Here are your steps:
Find TFP-done
Order test kit-?? (see siggy below for the best value on test kits)
Deep clean sand- let us know what you decide to do about the sand
SLAM the pool-we can and will help you along the way!
Kim
If the sand is loose you can do the deep as linked to above.
If your wallet wants to get lighter you can buy new sand but you really do not need to. Chlorine can and will clear the sand and pool up.
Here are your steps:
Find TFP-done
Order test kit-?? (see siggy below for the best value on test kits)
Deep clean sand- let us know what you decide to do about the sand
SLAM the pool-we can and will help you along the way!
Kim
Like others, I do not believe algae can grow in your filter. It can certainly grow in your pool, however, and then be sucked into your filter and it can live for a while.....I don't know how long that is.
The real point is the algae is growing in your pool because you do not have enough chlorine. Get adequate chlorine in your pool and the problem is solved.
To help your filter, deep clean it and check the level of sand. It should be about 2/3 full in the filter body.....yours looks low.
read "The ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry" up in Pool School........it'll get you started understanding what we teach.
The real point is the algae is growing in your pool because you do not have enough chlorine. Get adequate chlorine in your pool and the problem is solved.
To help your filter, deep clean it and check the level of sand. It should be about 2/3 full in the filter body.....yours looks low.
read "The ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry" up in Pool School........it'll get you started understanding what we teach.
I have a couple more questions....
1. Do we need to level out the sand? Right now the sand is around the sides of the filter....
2. Is it okay to deep clean the sand if it is packed if not is there a way to unpack it?
3. Should we scrape the algae out or let the chemicals do the job?
1. Do we need to level out the sand? Right now the sand is around the sides of the filter....
2. Is it okay to deep clean the sand if it is packed if not is there a way to unpack it?
3. Should we scrape the algae out or let the chemicals do the job?
That algae did not grow in your filter, it grew in the pool and has been deposited into the filter.
Common algae, like that in your pool, relies on photosynthesis to grow.
http://allaboutalgae.com/what-are-algae/
Unless you are putting sugar or starches into your filter, that algae did not grow there.
Deep cleaning the sand should loosen it up, and expel most of that algae. a proper SLAM will rid the pool of it completely.
When you are done with the deep clean, the sand should level itself out somewhat.
If you cannot loosen that sand up with a good deep cleaning, or it continues to clump into hard balls, it should be replaced.
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And please add your pool info into your signature, it really helps us with troubleshooting, and will eliminate many repeat questions.
Common algae, like that in your pool, relies on photosynthesis to grow.
.AllAboutAlgae.com said:
http://allaboutalgae.com/what-are-algae/
Unless you are putting sugar or starches into your filter, that algae did not grow there.
Deep cleaning the sand should loosen it up, and expel most of that algae. a proper SLAM will rid the pool of it completely.
When you are done with the deep clean, the sand should level itself out somewhat.
If you cannot loosen that sand up with a good deep cleaning, or it continues to clump into hard balls, it should be replaced.
- - - Updated - - -
And please add your pool info into your signature, it really helps us with troubleshooting, and will eliminate many repeat questions.
We are going to work on cleaning the filter this evening. And then start on taking care of the water tomorrow.
Sounds like a great plan. Ask any questions you may have along the way, we're all here to help.
Remember, you will need a FAS/DPD chlorine test kit (FC & CC) that also includes testing for pH, TA, CH, and most importantly, CYA. Knowing these levels is the key to a crystal clear and well sanitized pool.
The TF Test Kits TF-100, and Taylor K2006 contain all these testing agents (both made by Taylor), and the best value for the money is the TF-100.
TFTestkits.net
The XL option will give you more of the reagents you will quickly use, and the Speed Stir makes testing fun and very accurate and repeatable.
That's a green pool alright.....
Is that a puck floater or thermometer I see? If you are still using pucks you are just driving up your CYA.
Is that a puck floater or thermometer I see? If you are still using pucks you are just driving up your CYA.
That is a puck floater. We initially started using chlorine tablets per direction of a local pool supply but we haven't had success. We have stopped using them and now are on track to go through a cycle of SLAM.
That's a great "before" pic - I'm looking fwd to following another good SLAM story!
Buy a kit ASAP!
Buy a kit ASAP!