I think it is the tank and not algae

[kbcpa]

We have been battling dead algae on the bottom of the pool since we opened it in May. We have vacuumed to waste numerous times, but the stuff returns the next morning when we restart the filtration system (above ground pool). The local pool store said my chlorine was very low and I really super shocked it this weekend. My water is crystal clear (and has been all season), but the dead algae was still on the bottom of the pool. So, once again we vacuumed to waste and the stuff has reappeared within hours. Could it be the valve control thing on top of my tank? That is the only other thing I think it could be - that somehow the algae is still dropping back into the tank and not actually being sucked out. We have noticed this year that when backwashing, we don't have near the pressure we had last year and the water has yet to come out dirty - all season. However, when using the rinse function, it occasionally runs dirty. In the past, we would backwash once per week and the water would run dirty for a few minutes.

Someone please help. I'm at my wit's end and my water bill is through the roof. We have dealt with dead algae in the past and one vacuuming to waste took care of it. We have been vacuuming to waste for two months to no avail.

Thanks,

Kim

[CarlD]

Kim:
Please read the stickied threads at the top of the "Pool Chemicals and Pool Water Problems" topic,
the "Using Chlorine and Chlorinating Chemicals" topic
and the
"Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry" topic.

The do a search for threads on battling algae.

That will save me a lot of typing.

[kbcpa]

My specific question is about the filter - not algae. Could there be something wrong with the valve that is causing debris to go back into the pool even on waste and why is my backwashing not as strong as it used to be?

[kbcpa]

I forgot to add that the stuff reappears within minutes sometimes. I think I have a filter problem and would like some opinions before I go spend major $$ on a replacement part.

What is a spider gasket - what does it do and do I possibly need one? All sand was replaced about a month ago and all the laterals thoroughly cleaned. The sand had a layer of grayish gunk on it that would not backwash out - all backwashing this year has been clear which I find very strange.

[CarlD]

The 6-way valve has a bunch of chambers in it to direct the water in various directions. To seal those chambers there's a cover (on the bottom of the valve) and between that cover and the valve is the rubber spider gasket--so-called because it looks like a simple spider's web. You want to use plenty of silicon gasket lube on it when you install it.

[kbcpa]

Thank you Carl! So, it is possible that the problem lies in the filtration system then. Will this cause the backwashing problem I described also? Is my water just recirculating and not filtering? What is happening to the stuff I'm vacuuming to waste - my pool is draining when we do this, but my only guess now is that somehow the dirt/algae is getting back into the pool rather than flowing out with the water. Am I on the right track?

Again, thanks so much for the help. All I have heard from the pool store is that I have algae in my water. Possibly, but if that much algae was dying out and dropping to the bottom within minutes I don't think my water would be sparkling clear.