Can find cause of all the dirt/sand in the pool

[poolrx]

Pool bottom was clear today. Not sand/dust. I vacuumed yesterday am the regular way, didn't backwash. That info was received after I had already vacuumed, I was going to do that this am with the DE and backwash. The only other correlation that I can make is that it also seems to happen when it rains. Would that be possible that the rain is causing this dust somehow? Either pushing it from the surface to the bottom so the filter can't get it out or brings down more pollen from trees. Sounds extreme to me but I guess anything could be possible.

Happens all the time when it rains here. Even more noticeable when no one is in the pool for a day. The current from the return will basically push it to the same spots each time. If you chemical levels are in line, try to vacuum as needed and enjoy the pool.
You mentioned you had the pool for 4 years. Have you had this occur before or just this year?

[nicole12]

This is just the first year, although last year I had a sand leak problem so it could have happened then and I wouldn't have noticed as much because it would have mixed in with the larger pieces of sand.
Also this summer we've gotten so much rain. Grass is still green without any sprinkler watering. Usually by this time the grass in our backyard is burnt.

[poolrx]

This is just the first year, although last year I had a sand leak problem so it could have happened then and I wouldn't have noticed as much because it would have mixed in with the larger pieces of sand.
Also this summer we've gotten so much rain. Grass is still green without any sprinkler watering. Usually by this time the grass in our backyard is burnt.

Nicole, I hear you with the rain! I truly think it is just that. When I had the mustard algae it was on the ladder and across the whole bottom of the pool. I would vacuum at night and the next morning it was basically all over again. If the sediment is basically in the same area and you have one of the "eyeball" returns you can try pointing it in a different direction and see if the sediment "moves" to a different spot b/c of the current change.

[matt4x4]

Denanbob, it does look too white to be dirt - probably is DE.

[denanbob]

Denanbob, it does look too white to be dirt - probably is DE.

I think it is (was!). We vacuumed it up and then it was back the next day but not as heavy. Waited a couple days and vacuumed again last night. This morning there is not a speck to be found. I imagine it was just excess DE that the filter didn't need. I was worried my filter was malfunctioning, but now I think probably not.

[matt4x4]

Could also have been one of those "weird startup things" that happens - like the sand washing out of a newly loaded sand filter.

[nicole12]

Took a picture of the dust/dirt this morning. The pool was loaded with it. I was thinking about something else also. My filter runs at 16psi. When I remove the return plug to install panty hose or to fool with the "eye" the filter psi goes to 10. I wonder if that then changes the gpm enough that the filter can't handle the power from the pump and that pushes fine dirt into the pool. Again just grasping at straws. I've had the panty hose on now for a few days and the pool has been without dust/dirt. It hasn't rained so that is ruled out.

This morning I added 1 cup of DE vacuumed and the backwashed. So we'll see what happens next. I also vacuum with the skimmer basket in and the skimmer sock on. This stuff is so fine that it goes right through the skimmer sock...there was a tiny bit of filter sand when I vacuumed but not enough to even be measured.

I've attached a picture.
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/attachm...3&d=1152713785

[nicole12]

[Tredge]

nicole12

Thats EXACTLY what mine looks like. I dont have any DE in my system at all.

[duraleigh]

Nicole,

This thread is rambling all over the place with guesses and no progress.

1. You have never posted any test results....probably irrelevant but it's always a good starting point.

2. Have you actually picked this stuff up between your finger and thumb and determined it's not algae? (gritty, not slimy)

3. Just as an aside, when you put DE in, and then backwash, you are washing the DE right back out.

4. Why do you put DE in your filter? (I know the theory.....I'm interested in why you think this pool needs it and how long you've been doing it)

5. When you fixed the sand issue last year, what was that issue and how did it get fixed?

Those answers will help get us back on track (hopefully)