Mother of all algae problems

[Backglass]

Well, I got finished with my daily power hour of scooping the bottom, and I'd say about 70% of it is done at the portions that are not the diving section. I still occassionally get the errant broken toy pistol, BB riddled soda/beer can, softball, and one diecast school bus

Another thing, there is some brown red stuff, like denser than water matter that settles to the bottom and gets stirred to the surface every time i follow a path that nets me a lot of pine needles, seeds, etc.

For the deepside, I just want to throw my hands in the air and give up!

There is about 1,000 gallons of the aforementioned soupy matter, the kind that clogs the net mesh so it's really hard to lift out! I also need a clever way to dispose of this crap, whether I drain the pool or not.

PS the blue thing is a booster pump.

Actually my dad said the filter broke, so maybe it's a matter of replacing the filter, about 3 bills for a decent sized one, or I can get the current fixed.

You have your work cut out for you, but hey...your an ambitious 16-year old with lots of free time! You can do it! Where is the US are you by the way?

Step 1 - You must get water circulating and filtering. You can pull bags of junk out of the pool, but it's multiplying as fast as you pull it out.
If this means finding a used filter or buying one new this is job #1...don't even attempt to repair that old hunka junk! Once that piece is in place we can start working on the water, beginning with a "Hiroshima magnitude" shocking. You will then spend at least two weeks vacuuming and brushing daily...hope your up for it!

The booster pump must have been for a pool cleaner or perhaps for the slide.

The valve is an older "push/pull" type. You pull it up to back wash and push it down to filter. It should be replaced with the filter though as it's probably shot, if not frozen in place. Besides you are going to NEED a waste setting...thats for sure.

Now...Go find a filter young man!

[Colino]

Naw.. the valve still opens and locks, goes up and down, although it does say to lube twice a year.

How do I vac a pool? Can I just rip out the good pump out of the pack and set it up near the pool, stick a hose at the bottom of the pool and feed it back, occasionally emptying the pump basket?

[Colino]

How does this look mang?

inyopools()com/Products/02200066039336()htm

[Backglass]

How does this look mang?

inyopools()com/Products/02200066039336()htm

Thats a great filter...I have the side mount version of the same one. But since you are on a limited budget, I will bet you can get a used one for under $100 if you check Craig's List, your local "Penny Saver" newspaper, garage sales, etc.

Especially as we near the end of the season.

[Colino]

BG

Is it healthy for me to detach my net from the pole and go down under my self and start scooping?

[Colino]

I went and did it anyway, the shallow third of the pool is completely scooped at the bottom, save for sand and small rocks I can't pick up. The semi deep third of the pool, is about halfway done. As for the slope and the deep end, that'll take a longer time. Much longer time.

[Guest]

Go take a shower now!

As far as being safe??? I know I wouldn't do it!
EEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

Does the pump work? I thought I read that you had juice? If so, change out the sand and start that baby up!

[Backglass]

BG

Is it healthy for me to detach my net from the pole and go down under my self and start scooping?

NO. Unless you are in a wet suit, it is not safe to swim/bathe/wade/scoop in whatsoever and even then not a good idea. Please stop doing it before you get sick.

Again, I admire your resolve but until you get water circulating & filtering you are swimming against the current.

Have you checked out Craig's list for your area? What IS your area and I will do it for you!

[Colino]

Sorry, but I already completely scooped the shallow and semi deep sections.
All done! Just a few flyaway pine needles, sand, and a couple of roofing nails remaining. Done by my standard, I just want see through water. I got a pool scrub, and did the steps. It's quite hard to brush though, so I did it in the water.

I'm going to attempt the deep side out of the water, and come school time, I'll buy bleach, when I get paid for lunch!

My area is houston, but I can wait to get a new sand/pump!
[/u]

[Colinod]

Man I gotta log in so I can edit!

But the auto login feature doesn't work.

Anyway, I meant to say new sand filter/pump.

I also found out my pool ph is 7.4, but I didn't
get a test kit with the brush. Is pool sample analysis free at any place?

And Pool user, my pump does not work! the motor is good, but yesterday I primed the pump, and ran it with the filter cap off (Both the skimmer and main drain valves were open). I didn't see water rush into the filter, though it does stir around.

Though I won't know for sure unless I isolate the pump from its surrounding plumbing and make sure it can suck up a sample of water.

[Colinod]

The pump definately does work. I primed it real good and made sure both valves were really open. took about a gallon of water in all to prime it.

The pump then procceeded to dump the priming water into the tank, the priming water only. The pipes are definately clogged with something then. When I push/pulled up the valve, played with it a little, some water started to pour out of the booster pump. It wasn't pressurized (Or filtered, it poured a blade of grass onto my palm) though, so I attempted to turn it on. The motor to the booster pump was seized or something.

[Backglass]

OK...I searched the Houston Craig's List for you.

HERE is a pump & filter for $160 in Deer Park. The filter is undersized for your pool and the pump is for an above ground pump so you might have some priming issues...but it's not a bad deal. You could probably show up with $125 cash and get them both.

HERE is a cartridge filter & pump for $125 in Richmond. Older...again show up with cash and get a deal.

HERE is a catridge filter for $50 with a free chlorinator. No pump though.

HERE is a 2hp pump for $100 in Clear Lake.

HERE is a 3/4hp pump for $60 in Magnoilia.

[mr_clean]

just remember one important thing about pump size before you buy one.

check your pipe size and count your return lines in pool becuase:

if you only have 1 1/2'' pipes and your pump is to big it will cavatate meaning only fill halfway in pumpbasket and this can lead to burning out pump/motor and other problems.

count your return lines and measure pipe size I realize your going with older used equipment but still an issue.

for used:
if it's 2'' pipe normally more return lines 3 or more it can use bigger pump 1 1/2 to 2hp, but if only 2 or less return lines 1hp at most

with 1 1/2'' pipe 3 or more return lines max 1hp, 2 or less 3/4hp or 1/2hp. This is only with used. With new you have to shrink taking in these factors.

Backglass my hat is off to you helping this person by going above and beyond the call of duty:lol:

[Colinod]

I didn't realize how important inlet pipe size was. So what is the max pump inlet PVC pipe size? I don't want to reduce pressure too much.

[mr_clean]

your pipe size will 1 1/2" round or 2" round.

the cavatation problem can happen when to much flow do to power from pump/motor can not circulate back fast enough.