Pool Filter Sand Replacement

[kosmonooit]

So yesterday I pop off to my local pool shop to ask if they sell glass to replace my sand. They guy tells me no, but if you wanting to move from sand and have looked into other options have I seen this? So I say no.

It's called clinobrite. I then say ok let me go do more research. I am starting to think there are a lot of new options out there. 

So, is anyone using Clinobrite? 

What other options are out there?

Stick with the tried and tested is my cynical advice after having been led down a new fangled (and expensive) 'media' solution which turned out to be an  expensive dud as mentioned, Silica sand is just one step away from glass after all.

 

And there was no comeback, and the 'experts' turned out to be idiots.

Edited November 11, 2020 by kosmonooit

[capediver]

Stick with the tried and tested is my cynical advice after having been led down a new fangled (and expensive) 'media' solution which turned out to be an  expensive dud as mentioned, Silica sand is just one step away from glass after all.

 

And there was no comeback, and the 'experts' turned out to be idiots.

This.....sometimes there is nothing new under the sun....

[Gen]

This.....sometimes there is nothing new under the sun....

I think turning the pool into a potato patch will do the trick and solve all my issues

[kosmonooit]

I think turning the pool into a potato patch will do the trick and solve all my issues

Or a fish farm like my mate Steve!

 

One thing that is oft overlooked, and the case of many murky pool issues,is the cyanuric acid level, the stabiliser.  This is often built up to very high levels by the use of 4-in-1 and 5-in-1 floaters (its cumulative) so the chlorine then becomes ineffective. Only solution is to flush water and add fresh until the level drops.

 

And then used unstablised chlorine so same problem does not happen again. I buy boxes of unstablised tabs and use them in plastic spa floater things.

[The Ouzo]

Or a fish farm like my mate Steve!

 

One thing that is oft overlooked, and the case of many murky pool issues,is the cyanuric acid level, the stabiliser. This is often built up to very high levels by the use of 4-in-1 and 5-in-1 floaters (its cumulative) so the chlorine then becomes ineffective. Only solution is to flush water and add fresh until the level drops.

 

And then used unstablised chlorine so same problem does not happen again. I buy boxes of unstablised tabs and use them in plastic spa floater things.

i mix and match. A couple of months on non stabilized floater then one month of stabilised.

But finding the non stabilised is not that easy

[Long Wheel Base]

i mix and match. A couple of months on non stabilized floater then one month of stabilised.

But finding the non stabilised is not that easy

Agreed, I used to do similar and used kleenklor but I haven't been able to find it for a while. So now it's just month mate and or hth floater +. I also used a weekly maintenance thing from riaan pool. Called hyperfloc. Just pour a little bit in every Saturday, seems to help so far.

Edited November 12, 2020 by Long Wheel Base

[Long Wheel Base]

So I decided to pull the trigger and try the clinobrite. Got it yesterday morning, did the job as soon as I got home. Lets see how it goes. Looks wise, it is very similar to the sand, maybe a bit more like flaky as opposed to roundish. 1 bag was R295(vs R120 for a bag of sand), it apparently lasts a lot longer than sand before needing replacement. You use the same amount of bags as you would sand so 3 in my case. A bag is 25 kg whereas sand is 40kg.

My pool was a little bit mirky the last few days so did an extra floc treatment so lets hope it clears in the next day or so.

[Gen]

 

 

So I decided to pull the trigger and try the clinobrite. Got it yesterday morning, did the job as soon as I got home. Lets see how it goes. Looks wise, it is very similar to the sand, maybe a bit more like flaky as opposed to roundish. 1 bag was R295(vs R120 for a bag of sand), it apparently lasts a lot longer than sand before needing replacement. You use the same amount of bags as you would sand so 3 in my case. A bag is 25 kg whereas sand is 40kg.

My pool was a little bit mirky the last few days so did an extra floc treatment so lets hope it clears in the next day or so.

How is this working out for you?

[Long Wheel Base]

How is this working out for you?

So far I am still backwashing about the same as before so there is no difference there for now. But I am now shopping a bigger filter. I currently have a 3 bag filter and my pool needs at least a 4 bag so the "experts" reckon it doesn't matter what filter medium I have, my filter is too small and can't cope. My pool is clean(at the moment at least) but I run my pump 24/7, as soon as I skip a day it starts to turn bad. Thing is I test my water and I also take it to the pool shop and it is always with in the limits. My other issue is the stupid bubble cover, it doesn't let the kreepy work properly. This weekend I cut it into 4 pieces and currently have 1 piece removed and so far the kreepy has worked perfectly since I did it on Saturday so it seems this may help allowing the kreepy to move easier(I removed the quarter that is by the weir). Funds are tight at the moment due to SAA not paying us much so will do the bigger filter asap and then a bigger pump in a few months, don't have the cash to do it all at once.

[The Ouzo]

So far I am still backwashing about the same as before so there is no difference there for now. But I am now shopping a bigger filter. I currently have a 3 bag filter and my pool needs at least a 4 bag so the "experts" reckon it doesn't matter what filter medium I have, my filter is too small and can't cope. My pool is clean(at the moment at least) but I run my pump 24/7, as soon as I skip a day it starts to turn bad. Thing is I test my water and I also take it to the pool shop and it is always with in the limits. My other issue is the stupid bubble cover, it doesn't let the kreepy work properly. This weekend I cut it into 4 pieces and currently have 1 piece removed and so far the kreepy has worked perfectly since I did it on Saturday so it seems this may help allowing the kreepy to move easier(I removed the quarter that is by the weir). Funds are tight at the moment due to SAA not paying us much so will do the bigger filter asap and then a bigger pump in a few months, don't have the cash to do it all at once.

I used these guys a few years back when I bought a new filter, they were the cheapest at the time

https://www.infinitypoolspecialists.co.za/

 

On the pump, I managed to source a reconditioned pump from a pool shop in boksburg, there are on atlas road but I just cant remember the name they go under now, used to be called Hippo pools

[Long Wheel Base]

I used these guys a few years back when I bought a new filter, they were the cheapest at the time

https://www.infinitypoolspecialists.co.za/

 

On the pump, I managed to source a reconditioned pump from a pool shop in boksburg, there are on atlas road but I just cant remember the name they go under now, used to be called Hippo pools

Thanks, I have seen a few 2nd hand filters for sale for around R1500. I am probably going to go that route. The pump, yeah I will also probably get a used one and give it a decent overhaul, will be good as new.

Those prices are not bad at all. My local pool shop quoted me in the region of R8k incl vat for 4 bag filter, 1.1kw pump and all attachments so it's about the same as infinity. If you get it from more retail places like builders you looking in the region of R12k

[The Ouzo]

Thanks, I have seen a few 2nd hand filters for sale for around R1500. I am probably going to go that route. The pump, yeah I will also probably get a used one and give it a decent overhaul, will be good as new.

Those prices are not bad at all. My local pool shop quoted me in the region of R8k incl vat for 4 bag filter, 1.1kw pump and all attachments so it's about the same as infinity. If you get it from more retail places like builders you looking in the region of R12k

the biggest thing that goes on the pumps is the mechanical seal. Its so damned easy to replace once you have the pump out and its cheap too.

[Frosty]

My pool has been off since the week leading up to Christmas. The pipe from the motor to the control valve blew off the top of the pump the day before we left for holiday. The amount of water gushing through was a sight to see. Thankfully the earth leakage did its job and tripped the DB but the pump house was full of water.

 

Not wanting to risk another “leak”, I decided I’d rather come back to a green pool, than a blown motor and other potential water damage.

 

Tomorrow I get a new pump and motor, and some additional piping that has the least amount of bends/joins in it. Once it starts filtering, it recovers quite quick. I guess that’s one advantage of having a 7500L splash pool (3x2).

 

Since the beginning of 2020, I’ve replaced the pump (in March), my stove/oven, geyser element, control panel for the solar geyser, earth leakage circuit breaker, alarm battery, transformer for the alarm system (twice), 52 down lights (50W halogens to 5W LED), installed an off grid solar system and battery and the washing machine is next. Hopefully the repairs are done for a while; I need to invoke Rule #12 again soon.

[Gen]

My pool has been off since the week leading up to Christmas. The pipe from the motor to the control valve blew off the top of the pump the day before we left for holiday. The amount of water gushing through was a sight to see. Thankfully the earth leakage did its job and tripped the DB but the pump house was full of water.

 

Not wanting to risk another “leak”, I decided I’d rather come back to a green pool, than a blown motor and other potential water damage.

 

Tomorrow I get a new pump and motor, and some additional piping that has the least amount of bends/joins in it. Once it starts filtering, it recovers quite quick. I guess that’s one advantage of having a 7500L splash pool (3x2).

 

Since the beginning of 2020, I’ve replaced the pump (in March), my stove/oven, geyser element, control panel for the solar geyser, earth leakage circuit breaker, alarm battery, transformer for the alarm system (twice), 52 down lights (50W halogens to 5W LED), installed an off grid solar system and battery and the washing machine is next. Hopefully the repairs are done for a while; I need to invoke Rule #12 again soon.

What n gemors that could've been. Ha ha ja nee....it never rains but pours.

 

Argh we have a big pool here at home 11x5 and it drives me up the wall sometimes.. down at the coast we like you also have a small splash pool..when we get there and if the hose came out and wasn't able to suck up everything that the net didn't keep out and changed colour it's a matter of a quick backwash and rinse, a cup of chlorine... and it's blue and clear after one cycle. I dont know why stupid big pools are so difficult and I am here to see to the damn thing every day..I am currently at war with it. [emoji2368][emoji2959]

Edited January 26, 2021 by Gen

[Long Wheel Base]

What n gemors that could've been. Ha ha ja nee....it never rains but pours.

 

Argh we have a big pool here at home 11x5 and it drives me up the wall sometimes.. down at the coast we like you also have a small splash pool..when we get there and if the hose came out and wasn't able to suck up everything that the net didn't keep out and changed colour it's a matter of a quick backwash and rinse, a cup of chlorine... and it's blue and clear after one cycle. I dont know why stupid big pools are so difficult and I am here to see to the damn thing every day..I am currently at war with it. [emoji2368][emoji2959]

The oke that owned my house before had worms in his head when he built the pool. It looks really nice being so big but it is hard and expensive to keep clean(and warm as well for that matter). I got a quote to have it made smaller and decided to just struggle with it until I win the lotto OR, I wanted to have it made one level and just keep the same surface area as I thought it would be easier but clearly the pool builders just want to try make plenty money so I am thinking of hiring cells, emptying it into the cells and getting lots of sand to fill up the bottom then re-marbalite it and then empty the cells back into the pool. So what if the "repair" leaks, it will only leak into the old deep end section. I can't even stand in my deep end, it is just over 6 ft deep.

[The Ouzo]

The oke that owned my house before had worms in his head when he built the pool. It looks really nice being so big but it is hard and expensive to keep clean(and warm as well for that matter). I got a quote to have it made smaller and decided to just struggle with it until I win the lotto OR, I wanted to have it made one level and just keep the same surface area as I thought it would be easier but clearly the pool builders just want to try make plenty money so I am thinking of hiring cells, emptying it into the cells and getting lots of sand to fill up the bottom then re-marbalite it and then empty the cells back into the pool. So what if the "repair" leaks, it will only leak into the old deep end section. I can't even stand in my deep end, it is just over 6 ft deep.

If you want I can give you the number for the guy that re-did my pool.

We went through about 6 different pool companies for quotes and he was the one guy that was willing to listen to what we wanted and easy to deal with.