wsommariva

Release pressure first, then open filter and hose down the filter element. Generally with fresh DE, you start with a pressure of say 20 psi. After use and depending on the dirt, the pressure rises. After say a 10 psi rise you backwash and add about 80 -90 percent of the DE required at start up. You should contact the filter manufacturer and get the operating manual. MOST IMPORTANT, release pressure before you open the filter.

This is what worked for me, what I believe to be iron stains. Stainfree(asorbic acid) followed in one hour by metalfree per instructions. As maintanance, weekly metalfree but a double dose. Single dose did not keep the stains away for the week. My iron just tested at .3

I think I'll stick with the DE

San Juan and Viking are two big ones.

Hang in there. There are a couple of people on this site very good at water chemistry. Wait for their replies. They need to know all your readings. CH, PH, tot alk, etc etc. Some of your readings may be off if one parameter is very high/low. Also if you use liquid reagents to test, check the expiration dates. Old reagents will give you bad readings.

We have a 16 x 32 fiberglass, 10,400 gals. Two kids also. I thought it was a little short when we ordered it and still think so today. I'd like maybe 4 more feet. But, it is your preference. As far as fiberglass, I like it. I think you need same amount of chlorine, etc. Also fiberglass tends to stain, but you can get in under control with chemicals. I have iron in my water. Can't remove iron so you need to treat it with asorbic acid, which is vitamin C. Very important is the installer, maybe the most important. Do your research.

Said to remove smaller particles. Any benefit in using this instead of DE? Thanks in advance

I was indeed a little suspicious when I heard that phosphates were the "new" word in pool care.

How about your phosphate level?

OK, Well I thank you two for the information.

"When the Pool water touches these Titanium / Platinum plates we get the actual electro-physical separation of water molecule (H2o into H2-O). This separation forms free oxygen atoms and hydroxyl (OH). This process is called Oxidation. The OXYGEN takes the place of Chlorine as the sanitizer and Burns up the Viral and Bacterial contaminates in your pool." CLfree literature Comments?

Why do we use a non chlorine system? My wife wanted it and there is nothing I can say to change her mind. Period. If it were up to me I wouldn't even have a pool. But, we have the CLfree, and it works well keeping the water crystal clear. I am now a bit concerned about being properly sanitized. Is there a test that I can use to check for bacteria?

Chem geek question. Would you know if a mainatance (weekly) dose of potmonopersulfate would remove all risks of bacteria/virus transmission.

If you have a copper or copper/silver system you do NOT have a chemical free pool! The metal ions in your water ARE chemical sanitizing agents, just not very effective ones and not EPA approved residual sanitizers. even at .5 ppm copper can turn hair green and stain pool surfaces. The titanium is used to generate oxygen as an oxidizing agent and it is a pseudoscience snake oil. (actually they claim that hydroxyl ions are the oxidizing agent and as far at that goes hydroxyl ions can easily be produced in any solution by adding an alkaline substance such as lye or soda ash. Pseudoscience at its' best! As far as that goes, oxygen is also a chemical. As far as comparing the levels Vs. drinking water you are comparing apples and oranges. You are not drinking your pool, you are swimming in it. For example, the limit for chlorine in drinking water is 4 ppm but most state health departments allow commercial pools to operate at 10ppm chlorine or less. Also there is cyanuric acid present in outdoor pools to protect against the effects of UV light on the chlorine and this chemical is not found in drinking water except as a contaminant so once again, apples and oranges. Here is a page debunking some of the psuedoscience that CLfree promotes http://www.chem1.com/CQ/aquacrack.html#ELYTIC Scroll down to Electrolytic water treatment then down to Other electrolytic processes, completely off-the-wall Though this is talking about the competing Ecosmarte system it is identical to the Clfree system. We don't have green hair and don't have stains. I said I'm not a chemist. Just said it's nice to swim in CLfree water.

You don't need a fiberglass installer, you just need a pool service company. Maybe they don't want to just give you advice, so hire them to service the pool for a year. When the come, ask questions. Also, the pump and filter manufacturer will help you. Call them.

Well, we have had the CLfree system in our pool for three years and it's great. No chlorine or any other chemicals. Copper is maintained at .5ppm to .7ppm which is below the 1.3ppm allowed in drinking water. Titanium is also used. "Natural watercare system?" Don't know if it's possible. I'm not a chemistry expert, but it's nice to swim in. And I don't know about that 98 degree situation but the company is headquartered in Arizona.

Thanks; good news for me.

Are low TDS a concern?

I had a bad phosphate(algae food) problem. Treated with a phosphate remover, two applications. Ended up with what looked like sand on the bottom. Wasn't sand as I don't have a sand filter. I just vacummed it up. Now crystal clear pool.

Sorry I see it's DE. If you have the filter set on mostly drain and you have severe debris on the bottom of the pool, like a dead animal, that could be the problem.

Is it a DE filter sand or cartridge? Seems like the pool store will be able to diagnose and fix. Phosphates can be checked by a water sample. Mine were extremely high and therefore the pressure problem until removed.

Patience. Work closely with the pool store. Could take a few days to clear that pool. Make sure the pump and filter are working properly. What kind of filter do you have? Once you get it cleared you need to maintain the water balance. You'll need test strips or test kits to test CL, PH, calcium hardness, and maybe a couple other things on a regualr basis. I never found a good pool maintance book. But you can go online and find good basic pool guidance.

Is the HP of the new pump the same as the old one? When you first turned the pump on was the outflow strong? As long as the pump has adequate HP and the filter is installed correctly, I think your very dirty water is clogging the filter as it should. By chance did you add a phosphate remover? When I do I get significat pressure buildup and need to backwash for 7 seconds to bring it down until the phosphates are removed.

You ask good questions. We went through the same thing in 2008. One of the most important steps is finding a great installer. Check references, BBB, etc. We found a great one in north NJ. We have a 10,400 gal, some curves, big enough for my family including two kids. About 500 sq ft as it's 16'x32'. If you want to swim for exercise, it's not long enough. The shape is your preference. I know a few people who love their spa, again your preference. Solar panels? Not for me. What is the savings in electricity and the payback period? Will you need a heater for year round swimming? Get natural gas if you can, electric ones are more costly. Zodiac cleaner for $2k? Don't know what this is; we have the tiger shark, cost about $1.1k. Electiic that vacumms the pool. Works very well althoiugh our won't climb the walls (I have a claim in for this) Ozonator? Don't have it as we have a CL free pool. From what I've heard, it uses salt to create clorine and therefore the CL level is lower? In the olden days CL tablest worked really well, so it's your preference and hopefully someone that has one will add his or her comments. Be patient, get a great installer; ask those who have pools if they had good experiences with their installer.

I have not yet tried the Stainfree/Metalfree treatment as I am taking a short vacation. Once I do, I'll let you know the results. I know the Stainfree(asorbic acid) will remove the stains (probably iron/copper). I am hoping that the Metalfree maintanace treatment will keep them away.