Results for "filter system"

Filters Medium 45 minutes 275 👍 1

Do I Need DE in My Pool Filter? Diagnosis & Solutions

I turned to three different pool techs about my 2019 Pentair FNS Plus cartridge system and got three completely different answers about adding DE. My kids spend hours in the pool every day during summer, and I want to make sure the water is as clean and safe as possible for them.

I'm honestly not even 100% sure what type of filter system we have - the previous homeowner left some DE powder in the pool shed, but I don't know if I'm supposed to be using it or not. How do I figure out if my specific filter needs DE, and if so, what's the right way to add it? I just want crystal clear water that's safe for my children to swim in every day.…more

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Equipment Medium 45 minutes 816 👍 17

Can You Vacuum Pool on Recirculate? Complete Guide

Pulled a ton of storm debris out of our pool and now I'm trying to decide between normal filtration and recirculate mode for vacuuming.
The pool is so messy that I'm concerned about clogging up our filter system if I vacuum normally, but I also don't want to compromise water quality.

Can I vacuum the pool using the recirculate setting instead? I want to make sure I understand what this does - will it actually clean the water properly or just move things around? My main concern is whether the water will be safe and clean enough for the kids to swim in afterward, or if I need to take additional steps to ensure proper filtration.…more

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Filters Medium 4-6 hours 825 👍 0

Can You Shock Pool Without Running Filter? Safe Method

Spent years shocking my old above-ground pool without running the filter and it worked perfectly, but now I'm questioning if it's actually safe for this new setup. I need to shock my pool but I'm wondering if I absolutely have to have the filter system running while I do it? The pool store mentioned something about circulation being important, but they weren't super clear about whether that meant the filter specifically or just water movement in general.

I'm trying to figure out if there's a safe way to shock the pool even if my filter isn't running - maybe by brushing or using the return jets? Any guidance would be really appreciated since I don't want to mess this up!…more

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Filters Easy 45-60 minutes 560 👍 0

Can I Vacuum Pool to Filter? Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Three different pool cleaning methods later — skimming, brushing, and running my pump for hours — and my water is still cloudy, so I'm wondering if vacuuming to filter works. Is it okay to vacuum debris directly through my pool's filtration system? Want to make sure I'm cleaning it the right way without damaging anything.…more

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Filters Medium 1-3 hours 603 👍 0

Can Pool Filter Pressure Be Too Low? Diagnosis & Solutions

Found out from my wife that our pool filter pressure gauge has been stuck at a weirdly low 6-7 PSI all week and now I can't stop obsessing over it. My 20,000 gallon inground pool has been running fine otherwise, but I'm wondering if this low pressure is something I should be concerned about.

I've heard people talk about high filter pressure being bad, but nobody ever mentions if pressure can be too low. The pump seems to be running, but I'm not sure if the water flow looks as strong as it used to be. Water chemistry has been balanced - chlorine at 2.5 ppm, pH at 7.4, and alkalinity at 110 ppm. Should I be worried about this low pressure reading, and what could be causing it?…more

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Filters Medium 30 minutes 1,644 👍 0

How Long to Run Your Pool Pump and Filter Daily - Complete Guide

Every pool season I feel like an idiot asking this, but I genuinely have no idea how many hours my filter should actually be running daily. My kids swim almost every day during summer, and I want to make sure the water stays clean and safe for them. I've heard different opinions - some neighbors say they run theirs 24/7, while others only run it a few hours.

I'm worried about under-filtering and having bacteria or algae grow, but I also don't want to waste electricity if it's not necessary. Our pool gets heavy use with the kids and their friends, plus we've had some really hot weather lately. What's the right balance for daily filter runtime to keep the water properly clean?…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes to understand 726 👍 0

How Pool Skimmers Work: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Walked out to check my pool skimmer this morning and I'm staring at all these mysterious parts with zero clue how they work together. They keep pitching fancy skimmer upgrades and I don't even know how my current skimmer is supposed to work in the first place.

I see leaves and bugs floating on the surface and sometimes they get sucked into that rectangular opening, but other times debris just sits there. Is there something I should be doing differently, or is this normal? I'd rather understand the basics before these salespeople convince me I need to spend hundreds on upgrades.

Basically, what's the step-by-step process of how water and debris move through a skimmer system? I want to know if mine is working properly or if there's a DIY fix I can try first.…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes 357 👍 0

How Pool Skimmers Work: Complete Guide to Pool Circulation

About to drop serious cash on a new skimmer system for my 20,000 gallon inground pool, but I'm clueless about how these things actually work — am I getting ripped off? Sometimes I see leaves and oils getting pulled in, and there's a basket that I empty, but I'd love a complete explanation of what's happening from start to finish. Does the skimmer work differently depending on pump speed or water level?…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes 228 👍 0

How Pool Pumps Work: Complete Guide to Pool Circulation

My pool pump has been running louder than usual lately, and I'm starting to wonder if I actually understand how this thing works. Ever since we had that power outage last month, the pump seems to be working harder but the water circulation doesn't look quite right. I can see water moving through the return jets, but I'm not really sure what's happening inside the pump itself or how it's supposed to move all that water through the filter system. Is there a simple way to understand the mechanics so I can better troubleshoot when something goes wrong?…more

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Above Ground Medium 2-4 hours 638 👍 0

Above Ground Pool Problems: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Our above ground pool faces the exact same maddening issues every single spring, and we're tired of getting ripped off by overpriced pool store "solutions. Between overpriced chemicals and costly service calls, I'm looking to become more self-sufficient with pool maintenance.

My pool seems to have different issues throughout the season - sometimes the water looks off, other times the pump isn't working right, and occasionally I notice problems with the liner or walls. Rather than guessing or getting upsold every time, I'd love a systematic way to figure out what's actually wrong so I can tackle these problems myself and save some money.…more

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Maintenance Easy 45 minutes 303 👍 1

Can You Vacuum Pool on Backwash? Proper Filter Settings

Already tried everything but my pool filter clogs every time I vacuum, the water won't clear up, AND I can't figure out the right filter setting.
Should I have it on backwash while I vacuum, or use a different setting? Don't want to mess anything up.…more

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Pump Problems Easy 15 minutes 494 👍 0

How to Prime Your Pool Pump: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Looked at my pool pump this morning and there's absolutely no water flowing through it even though it's running. The pump basket was completely dry when I opened it up, and now I'm getting no water flow when I turn it back on. I know I need to prime it somehow, but I want to make sure I do this right without damaging anything. What's the correct step-by-step process to get water flowing through the system again? I'm comfortable working with the equipment, just want to avoid any rookie mistakes.…more

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Heaters Medium 45 minutes 357 👍 1

How Solar Pool Heaters Work: Diagnosis & Troubleshooting

According to what I spotted this morning, my solar heater panels are just sitting there doing absolutely nothing while every "expert" keeps pushing gas systems instead. They keep pushing these pricey gas heaters and telling me solar is "complicated" - probably because there's less markup for them.

I want to understand the actual process of how solar pool heaters function before I make any decisions. Do they really just use the sun's energy somehow? I'm hoping to find a more cost-effective heating solution and maybe even explore some DIY options instead of getting ripped off again.…more

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Equipment Easy 30-45 minutes 290 👍 0

How to Vacuum a Pool: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

My pool guy mentioned that I might not be vacuuming properly, and honestly, I'm starting to think he's right. I've been just dragging this vacuum head around randomly and it doesn't seem to be picking up much debris.

Can someone walk me through the actual proper technique for vacuuming? Like how do you set everything up, get it working right, and make sure you're actually cleaning effectively? I'm willing to put in the work if someone can just tell me the correct way to do this!…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes 517 👍 0

How to Connect Pool Vacuum - Complete Setup Guide

Staring at pool vacuum options online with my credit card ready, but genuinely wondering if I'm about to blow money on something that'll actually work. Need to connect it properly but instructions are confusing. What's the right order to attach everything - the head, pole, hose? And how do I connect to the skimmer without losing suction?…more

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