Hello all, opened the pool this year, quite green, and have been running for three days with all chemicals added. I’m going to test today, but I tried to clean my filters yesterday, and I could not even come close to getting all that nasty fine particulate junk off the filter. Should I try to gently power wash them, or use a chemical bath to get rid of the junk. In the meant time, I ordered and extra set of filters, so I can always have a clean set ready to go
Getting rid of all the algae in my cartridge filter
- Thread starter Jrock817
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 51,986
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Good morning! 
Next chance you get, please update your signature so we can see what type of equipment you have. Make sure to include the test kit you are using. Last time I had to do a major SLAM Process was 2013 when I found TFP. 
Yes, the pleates in the paper cartridges will cake-up a bit, but in my case I just used my garden hose with a fireman's-type pressure nozzle. If it's fresh algae, it will take time. The chlorine is still fighting the live stuff. Once you are closer to the end of the SLAM, the alage material should be more of a grey color as it is dying or dead and rise-off fairly easy like dirt. Once you are done with the SLAM, you could try to soak your carts in some TSP cleaner overnight if you wanted. Good luck with your SLAM. If you have any other questions, just let us know.
Next chance you get, please update your signature so we can see what type of equipment you have. Make sure to include the test kit you are using. Last time I had to do a major SLAM Process was 2013 when I found TFP. Yes, the pleates in the paper cartridges will cake-up a bit, but in my case I just used my garden hose with a fireman's-type pressure nozzle. If it's fresh algae, it will take time. The chlorine is still fighting the live stuff. Once you are closer to the end of the SLAM, the alage material should be more of a grey color as it is dying or dead and rise-off fairly easy like dirt. Once you are done with the SLAM, you could try to soak your carts in some TSP cleaner overnight if you wanted. Good luck with your SLAM. If you have any other questions, just let us know.
I bought a little blue pressure washer off amazon and it's too strong and has an adjustable tip..It will get the junk out but have to be careful and not damage the filter
Just FYI - I'm in MA and I used to think I had an algae-laden green swamp every year I opened. I now don't think it is algae at all. It may not be for you either. Here's why. The water is below 60. Algae doesn't grow well at that temp. Shocking the pool doesn't turn it gray. And the chlorine levels remain high without me needing to add more chlorine, meaning it isn't being used up by organics.
I think our pools are "green swamps" because of all the pollen and fine dirt that gets in there during the fall, winter, and early spring months. You can test this by brushing a section of the pool bottom. In my case, it opens up a nice column of blue water. This implies the pool is murky because of all the Crud on the bottom, sides, etc. Brushing will get that stuff into the water itself, making it even murkier.
This is all to say - it may not be algae. You still will have a huge dirt/debris issue, but possibly not algae.
Best way to clean the filters is to get a nozzle on your garden hose and have at it. Cleaning cartridge filters stinks.
I think our pools are "green swamps" because of all the pollen and fine dirt that gets in there during the fall, winter, and early spring months. You can test this by brushing a section of the pool bottom. In my case, it opens up a nice column of blue water. This implies the pool is murky because of all the Crud on the bottom, sides, etc. Brushing will get that stuff into the water itself, making it even murkier.
This is all to say - it may not be algae. You still will have a huge dirt/debris issue, but possibly not algae.
Best way to clean the filters is to get a nozzle on your garden hose and have at it. Cleaning cartridge filters stinks.
I just went through 2 days of getting rid of my dark green crud. I had opened the mesh safety cover enough to start circulation, 3 days prior. I agree with Joshi about the crud.
First it was so dark and murky I couldn't see the bottom. I tossed in the robot and set him to work, pulling him out every 2 hours to hose him off. I too use a firehose type nozzle. During that time I balanced the chemicals. Start up was 0 CH / 7 PH / 35 TA / and I didn't measure CYA as the water is 43°. After 8 to 10 hosings I removed Harvey [the name we call our robot] and brushed the whole surface. I then added chlorine for the night. The next morning the pool looks great. It would sparkle if the sun was out. I can see the bottom through the raindrops breaking the surface. Harvey Wall Banger will go back to clean up anything left over.
It only took about 30 hours....
First it was so dark and murky I couldn't see the bottom. I tossed in the robot and set him to work, pulling him out every 2 hours to hose him off. I too use a firehose type nozzle. During that time I balanced the chemicals. Start up was 0 CH / 7 PH / 35 TA / and I didn't measure CYA as the water is 43°. After 8 to 10 hosings I removed Harvey [the name we call our robot] and brushed the whole surface. I then added chlorine for the night. The next morning the pool looks great. It would sparkle if the sun was out. I can see the bottom through the raindrops breaking the surface. Harvey Wall Banger will go back to clean up anything left over.
It only took about 30 hours....
I use a large tote and with chlorinated water. Put the filter in for a few minutes then wash. I actually do a two step cleaning. First chlorinated water then rinse, then into a tub with purple power cleaner, then rinse until water doesn't foam, then dry, then back in. Luckily my filter housing holds 4 large cartridges and I have a pool robot so I don't sweep much. I only wash in the spring after opening and fall after closing.
What kind of tote do you use? I have 4 large filters and trash can only holds 2 and then they are only halfway covered.
I use a sterlite 45 gallon. Put them in and rotate them top to bottom or just let 3 soak and the 4th while I'm rinsing the other three.