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Assuming that your pool is now full of water and you are ready to begin preparing it for use, the first thing to consider is the circulation system. When your pump is running it draws water from the pool via the suction fittings such as the main drain(s) and skimmer(s), see Understanding your Pool, and pushes it through your filter, heater and chemical feeder before it is returned to the pool via the inlets. As water flows through the filter, particles that are suspended in it are captured and retained within the filter media – this removal of particles is essential and is how your water clarity is achieved and maintained. As the water is only filtered when it is being circulated, we would recommend that you run the pump for a minimum of eight hours per day, and for best results 24-hours a day during the swimming season. There are generally three types of filter used for swimming pools – cartridge, sand and diatomaceous earth (D.E.), although D.E. is not commonly used these days. Cartridge filters are normally found, although not exclusively, on smaller above ground pools while in-ground pools usually have sand filters.
Cartridge Filters
Inside the cartridge filter you will find a cartridge element that the pool water flows through. As the water passes through the element the particles and debris are removed and collected within the folds of the cartridge. As the collected matter builds up, so the water flow through the element diminishes to such an extent that it becomes time to clean it. This is straightforward, turn off the pump, remove the
element from its housing, hose thoroughly with a garden hose, don’t use a pressure washer as it will cause damage to the element, then soak overnight in a solution of Blue Horizons Filter Cleaner or AquaSPArkle Cartridge Cleaner.
Sand Filters
The advantage of sand filters is that you don’t have to remove and clean cartridge elements making it easier and less time consuming to maintain your filtration system. In place of the cartridge element the filter tank contains specially graded silica sand and as the water flows through it particles are trapped and retained, thus creating clear water. As more and more particles are retained so the flow of water through the filter slows down and the pressure within the tank increases, you will notice this on the pressure gauge, which is usually on the multiport selector valve or the top of the filter tank. To remove the particles trapped in the sand you need to backwash the filter, typically we would suggest that you backwash the filter weekly or more frequently if the pressure gauge indicates a need to.
When you backwash a sand filter the flow of water through the filter is reversed, (rather than the pool water entering the top of the filter and percolating down through the filter sand before going back to the pool), the water comes into the filter through the bottom rises up through the sand, dislodging debris on the top. The backwash water goes to waste, and not go back into the pool.
The backwash procedure is straightforward, firstly make sure there is sufficient water in the pool – the level should be about halfway up the skimmer opening, then turn off the pump, if there is a valve on your waste line make sure this is open, turn the multiport selector valve to the backwash position and turn the pump back on. On the
multiport selector valve there will probably be a sight glass, you will see that initially the water in the sight glass is dirty and /or cloudy, once the water in the sight glass is clear, about 2 – 3 minutes, you can stop the backwash by turning off the pump.
After the backwash turn the multiport selector valve to rinse and turn the pump on again, wait until the water in the sight glass is clear again, 20 – 30 seconds normally, turn the pump off. If you opened a valve on the waste line you should now close it. Turn the multiport selector valve to filtration and turn the pump back on, the backwash procedure is now complete.
Although backwashing the filter removes debris caught in the filter sand it doesn’t actually clean the sand, so to maintain the filters efficiency it should annually be chemically cleaned using Blue Horizons Filter Cleaner as per directions printed on the product label.
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