Newbie, I think I know the answer but....

[Watermom]

Is it live algae? If so, live algae will clog a DE filter fast. Kill the algae first. Give some more info about your pool (type of pool, volume, size of pump) and give some current water testing results taken with a drops-based kit. Then someone here will try and help.

Welcome to the Pool Forum, by the way!

[healthservices]

Pool is about 18k gallons so it is not a big pool. Gunite and plaster pool. I have to figure out how large of a filter I have. As for the algae I think most is dead now. but what is there is greenish brown and looks kind of like diarrhea, when you try to scim it off with a net it breaks off into pieces and goes right through the net.

As for a test I have yet to do one yet.

[healthservices]

I just went back outside and back washed it again. what comes out is white and not discolored. pressure is back down to 13-15 for the time being. I only put 2 scoops of de this time since I'm running out. Pool looks fairly clean except for the floating algae, and it being cloudy. I'll just use the skimmer to see if I can get the floaties out.

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Could my Grids be plugged up and need a acid wash? If so why would the tank pressure be so low (13-15 psi) when I start off with a fresh charge of DE?

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Or maybe my pump is bad? But why would it go to 25 psi?

[PoolDoc]

As Watermom pointed out, DE filters clog almost instantly when live algae is present; you have to add enough chlorine to kill ALL before you are going to get adequate filter performance. With a gunite pool, there's no problem with high chlorine even if you have no stabilizer.

So do this:

#1 - Add 7 gallons of plain 6% household bleach tomorrow morning, and
#2 - Add 10 gallons of plain 6% household bleach tomorrow EVENING.

Meanwhile, if your filter has a valve with a "Recirculate" setting, use that, till the algae is dead.

[healthservices]

So when do i know if the algae is really dead?

I'll be getting a couple gallons of liquid chlorine this morning.

If the picture will upload this is what it looks like today after about 6-7 back washes
.

Hopefully by months end i will be able to take a dip in the pool.

EDIT by mod: Send your pics to poolforum AT gmail DOT com and reference the URL of this thread and we'll get them added

[healthservices]

Duh, I just noticed you said bleach and I'm used to using the 'bleach' and 'chlorine' as one in the same. Can I go with liquid chlorine and will I use the same amounts?

Thanks

[Watermom]

You can use liquid chlorine. Unless it is also 6% (and I doubt that it is), you'll use different amounts. Tell us the percent sodium hypochlorite and we can calculate a dosage for you. An easy rule of thumb that may help you judge is that in 10K gallons, the percentage of chlorine will add that amount of ppm to your water. Example -- in 10k gallons of water, a gallon of 6% will add 6ppm, 12.5% will add 12.5ppm, etc.

[healthservices]

ok my

FAC is 0
TAC is 0
PH is 7.8
TA is 80
CYA is 20
TDS is 700
Phosphates is 0

I added some acid right now to change the PH

[PoolDoc]

FAC is 0
TAC is 0
PH is 7.8
TA is 80
CYA is 20
TDS is 700
Phosphates is 0

I added some acid right now to change the PH

Hint: the FAC = 0 is what's most important in that list.

[healthservices]

You can use liquid chlorine. Unless it is also 6% (and I doubt that it is), you'll use different amounts. Tell us the percent sodium hypochlorite and we can calculate a dosage for you. An easy rule of thumb that may help you judge is that in 10K gallons, the percentage of chlorine will add that amount of ppm to your water. Example -- in 10k gallons of water, a gallon of 6% will add 6ppm, 12.5% will add 12.5ppm, etc.

I'll have to take a look, if I remember correctly Chlorine is not that much more and is at 10% I have some powder shock and chlorine, and currently put three lbs in the pool at the request of the pool supply center. so I'll do a check again later tomorrow.

The Kreepy Krauly is staying on now and has stayed moving for 3 hours now. Yay!