Are two filters better than one?

[Poconos]

If you can see stuff coming out the return jets my guess is there is something wrong with the filter. On the other questions, I usually wait 20 minutes or so after adding DE before I vacuum. It takes some of that time for the pressure to stabilize. I also run with DE all the time, usually. After backwashing I chuck in more DE. Something you can try, when you add DE see if the white stuff comes out the returns. Try a cup or so...won't hurt anything. If it does then the filter has a problem. Could be a broken lateral at the bottom of the sand bed. I see in your profile you're in North Texas. Don't know the Texas Winters but could you have freeze damage? I doubt it. Also, when vacuuming settled silt I've never seen it come out the returns, even with just plain sand. It does get through but I can't see it. Best I can do for now. Keep us posted.
Al

[duraleigh]

Hi, Poolboy,

I completely agree with Al. (poconos) A correctly working sand filter should do a much better job than you're describing.

Sounds like you need to take the top off that rascal and do some inspection. A broken lateral would be the most likely culprit, I think. Let us know what you find.

Dave S.

[poolboyforjenny]

I guess I will get to inspecting the pool sand filter next weekend. Just finished laying 14 palettes of sod. I was afraid there may be something wrong with the filter but i guess i'm trying to check everything else prior to tearing it down.

When i vacuum the silt, the water from the return is cloudy. When the filter is running (not vacuuming the bottom), the return water looks fine. Thats why i thought the silt was so fine that the sand couldn't contain it. Hopefully I will find out next weekend if i'm off. The water chemistry is good, and the water is clear, with the exception of grass clippings from mowing and the silt at the bottom.

Thanks for ya'lls help. Yes i'm from Texas.

tc

[sryan]

I have somewhat the same problem...there is a lot of "dust" in the air by my pool...trees collect it, wind blows, dust in the water! I don't see the dust/dirt returning in the return jet, though. I switched to the zeolite 2 years ago, and that really didn't help me. I'm going to try the skimmer sock this year to see if when I vacuum the dirt will be caught in it!

Good luck.

[CarlD]

We have tons of pollen in NJ--they are saying this is the worst spring for allergies in many years. My sand filter works just fine on it.

I do use Al's DE strategy. A 10lb box should last all summer, even adding a cup each backwash.

While I don't personally use the "slime bag", it should work well. I do use skimmer socks and they pull a ton of junk out before it hits the filter.

Still, a filter problem sounds likely. Also see if you can determine if your pump is too big for the filter--that will cause problems and eventually damage the filter.

[fullhouse]

the skimmer socks work really well. our neighbors have bushes with little flowers that blow into our pool for about six weeks every year and those little socks really help catch them before getting into the filter. we just have to go out and change or clean sock a few times a day during that time. the socks pick up a lot of other fine things, too.

[halds]

One thing you can do also, when you vacuum, set the valve to waste. You do not need to be running that sediment back through a filter that does not work right. AT least with the vacuuming to waste, you are eliminating the stuff that settles


Hal

[kevincad]

I guess I will get to inspecting the pool sand filter next weekend. Just finished laying 14 palettes of sod. I was afraid there may be something wrong with the filter but i guess i'm trying to check everything else prior to tearing it down.

When i vacuum the silt, the water from the return is cloudy. When the filter is running (not vacuuming the bottom), the return water looks fine. Thats why i thought the silt was so fine that the sand couldn't contain it. Hopefully I will find out next weekend if i'm off. The water chemistry is good, and the water is clear, with the exception of grass clippings from mowing and the silt at the bottom.

Thanks for ya'lls help. Yes i'm from Texas.

tc

Vaccum to waste so that it doesn't come back into the pool.

[mspool]

ummm I was wondering how this all turned out as I have the exact same problem with silt and fine dust coming back through the return jet when I vacuum. I am troubleshooting in another area of the forum but thought a reply here might yield a response from the person who started this thread.

[day1]

I have same problem, but think it's from the street that runs parallel to my pool. It's about 15' from pool and separated by an 8' wooden fence. Problem is that it's a low spot where creek run goes behind my property and then under streets. Two streets actually, since it's a divided street and speed limit is 30. I think this because it collects on the coping--above ground pool.
Anyway, I'll try the DE thing, just to get better filtration. Also wondering how poolboy was doing w/ his problem.