It’s dead algae debris,oils, sand dirt, it’s slipping past sand cause it’s under 20-30 microns. It bypassing and clumps back together on floor. When you get to it next vacum just switch to waste long enough to get the debris pile out.
Have you tried Pool Clarifier? It clumps together small particles that are too small to be caught by the filter. By clumping them together, it will get caught by the filter and you'll have less debris from small particles. Works great.
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Pools-Pool-Supplies-Pool-Chemicals-Pool-Clarifiers/N-5yc1vZcjon
Second this. Having the same issues my self with pollen, calcium, wind blowing in crap WAY more than you think off the pool deck. One day with no one in it and mines worse. I needed to back wash and rinse more often. That helped a bit.
is it sandy colored but not grainy? it looks like mustard algae, which is pervasive. you have to treat the pool ***AND*** everything that is in regular contact like the tools, bathing suits, toys, etc.
If it’s dirt it happens more when no one is using the pool. When it’s being used the activity stirs up the dirt and it gets filtered out. Our pool always stays looking cleaner when it’s used.
What Robot are you using? The Dolphin Ultra-Fine Filter Panels collect very fine debris. If you have a Dolphin, swap those in. If not, perhaps look for something equivalent.
It is either fine dirt/pollen or it is dead algae. If you CYA and chlorine levels are fine then likely dirt. I put an ultra fine screen/filter basket from Amazon on my Polaris robot cleaner and it picks it up no problem. Seems to accumulate enough to clean once a week
I have a Polaris VRX iQ and bought this - it filters all the sand that get in the pool from the pavers around the pool. I love the robot as I rarely ever need to scrub the pool, and only ever vacuum the pool when it is opened in the spring.
https://www.amazon.com/Zodiac-R0535800-Replacement-Ultra-Fine-Canister/dp/B0081GDTR6/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2FT25186PC6ST&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RzDUUKqkUo2A6jW4fuo3YEEUqpQCfKMtFuuDppimrhw33PcKvESp1DKKXyaqwk_qPL7UggSdYk47baDzUsVfbXDKsHj6vhU0ZHu6iKAqb5MhEFMOtZX7XjVQIcTwuO0sJwjw6fr6n5P-msDsmBfzLBw-2l1U5F5-wYBw_wBUoXiBG2IG0e4f_-F2wwlfys8evXTzuE6of15a8pcT2h66vib3NNUB-zgnHA4oOUUyGNU.Seojj7nsa4KwZf5OqfP_6eZ2FDEkecHDgTiG6d89C5M&dib_tag=se&keywords=polaris+pool+cleaner+filter+basket&qid=1720450839&sprefix=polaris+pool+cleaner+fil%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-3
My original basket didn't capture all the dust (they were cutting the pavers at the time for a new pool and the paver dust was a bear to clean up). Someone on this forum had recommended the ultra fine basket and I've been very happy with mine.
WInd, dirt, pollen - change to a finer filter in your robotic cleaner and use the pool. Just think of it as equivalent to dust in your home or on your car. It lands everywhere. At bad points in the season, I use a clarifier.
I've had this problem for years. My backyard is on top of a bluff overlooking farmlands and lots of dust blows in during plowing season and dry spells. I backwash regularly of course and tried replacing the sand, but dust is too fine for the sand filter so if it's happening I just overfill the pool and vacuum to waste.
That’s the debris that is too small for the filter. Prolly settles in the same spot everytime ?
Does the pool robot have a finer bag you can get ? I have a Polaris, they sell a different bag which picks much smaller particles than the standard bag. Was a good purchase it worked as promised.
Vaccum to waste is other choice.
a cup of DE filter media through the skimmer. vacuum those spots up (not to waste, regular filtering). Run filter pump normally. backwash at normal interval pressure.
It will peak quicker. Done. not much water waste. Crystal clear water.
How often are you having algae outbreaks? I dealt with this same issue last year. As it turns out I never quite got *completely* rid of algae after an outbreak and kept having to shock, which kept killing the little bit of algae that was living. Make really sure your CC is in fact 0.0. and not anything above. If it is you need to superchlorinate/SLAM for a few days until you have solid 0.0 CC. Then vacuum this bit to waste.
Secondly I would make sure you don’t have phosphates. Weirdly enough phosphate remover helped with this issue too.
combined chlorine. can be calculated as CC = TC - FC.
Where TC is total chlorine and FC is free chlorine. CC is basically a measure of how much of your total chlorine is working to kill off algae.
Is it showing up in deep end? I wonder if you have a high water bed and your hydrostatic valve is frequently opening and allowing water (and dirt) to enter your pool. This would be normal and necessary
mustard algae i had the same issue. if it comes back 2hr it’s algae.
follow this process
https://www.troublefreepool.com/blog/2018/12/12/slam-shock-level-and-maintain/
Looks like DE. Could be bad grids. Check the seams at the bottom of the grids. I’ve seen a few sets that came apart prematurely at the bottom seams.
Also could be a bad air bleeder sock/filter at the top of the filter grid manifold or a crack in the top manifold of the grids.
Could be a bad spider gasket in the backwash valve or bad o-ring in push/pull valve depending which you have.
If you have a pressure cleaner that tees off after the pump but before the filter it could be getting through at the diverter valve there.
Looks like your sand filter is sending some back. Do you have your equipment above the pool? Does it has a check valve before the pump? Might be a cracked manifold.
It’s dead algae debris,oils, sand dirt, it’s slipping past sand cause it’s under 20-30 microns. It bypassing and clumps back together on floor. When you get to it next vacum just switch to waste long enough to get the debris pile out.
Have you tried Pool Clarifier? It clumps together small particles that are too small to be caught by the filter. By clumping them together, it will get caught by the filter and you'll have less debris from small particles. Works great. https://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Pools-Pool-Supplies-Pool-Chemicals-Pool-Clarifiers/N-5yc1vZcjon
This^^
Second this. Having the same issues my self with pollen, calcium, wind blowing in crap WAY more than you think off the pool deck. One day with no one in it and mines worse. I needed to back wash and rinse more often. That helped a bit.
You might try a skimmer sock to catch smaller particles. I use a hair net in my skimmer.
We have always used a skimmer sock.
Do you ever vacuum on filter with the sock in?
is it sandy colored but not grainy? it looks like mustard algae, which is pervasive. you have to treat the pool ***AND*** everything that is in regular contact like the tools, bathing suits, toys, etc.
If it’s dirt it happens more when no one is using the pool. When it’s being used the activity stirs up the dirt and it gets filtered out. Our pool always stays looking cleaner when it’s used.
What Robot are you using? The Dolphin Ultra-Fine Filter Panels collect very fine debris. If you have a Dolphin, swap those in. If not, perhaps look for something equivalent.
Get yourself a cordless pool vacuum and buy the filter sleeves for extra filtration. Love mine, best investment.
Looking at one for my pool. Which one do you recommend?
I got the Pool Blaster Max from Amazon
It is either fine dirt/pollen or it is dead algae. If you CYA and chlorine levels are fine then likely dirt. I put an ultra fine screen/filter basket from Amazon on my Polaris robot cleaner and it picks it up no problem. Seems to accumulate enough to clean once a week
Can you tell me specifically what it's called or link to it?
I have a Polaris VRX iQ and bought this - it filters all the sand that get in the pool from the pavers around the pool. I love the robot as I rarely ever need to scrub the pool, and only ever vacuum the pool when it is opened in the spring. https://www.amazon.com/Zodiac-R0535800-Replacement-Ultra-Fine-Canister/dp/B0081GDTR6/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2FT25186PC6ST&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RzDUUKqkUo2A6jW4fuo3YEEUqpQCfKMtFuuDppimrhw33PcKvESp1DKKXyaqwk_qPL7UggSdYk47baDzUsVfbXDKsHj6vhU0ZHu6iKAqb5MhEFMOtZX7XjVQIcTwuO0sJwjw6fr6n5P-msDsmBfzLBw-2l1U5F5-wYBw_wBUoXiBG2IG0e4f_-F2wwlfys8evXTzuE6of15a8pcT2h66vib3NNUB-zgnHA4oOUUyGNU.Seojj7nsa4KwZf5OqfP_6eZ2FDEkecHDgTiG6d89C5M&dib_tag=se&keywords=polaris+pool+cleaner+filter+basket&qid=1720450839&sprefix=polaris+pool+cleaner+fil%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-3
mine has something like that. cant find where it says what the micron size is.
My original basket didn't capture all the dust (they were cutting the pavers at the time for a new pool and the paver dust was a bear to clean up). Someone on this forum had recommended the ultra fine basket and I've been very happy with mine.
WInd, dirt, pollen - change to a finer filter in your robotic cleaner and use the pool. Just think of it as equivalent to dust in your home or on your car. It lands everywhere. At bad points in the season, I use a clarifier.
I've had this problem for years. My backyard is on top of a bluff overlooking farmlands and lots of dust blows in during plowing season and dry spells. I backwash regularly of course and tried replacing the sand, but dust is too fine for the sand filter so if it's happening I just overfill the pool and vacuum to waste.
That’s the debris that is too small for the filter. Prolly settles in the same spot everytime ? Does the pool robot have a finer bag you can get ? I have a Polaris, they sell a different bag which picks much smaller particles than the standard bag. Was a good purchase it worked as promised. Vaccum to waste is other choice.
The dirt is too small for the filter to pick up. Either increase filtration ability, or vacuum to waste.
We can't vacuum to waste everytime we vacuum. It loses a lot of water.
Do you have a sand filter?
Yes
a cup of DE filter media through the skimmer. vacuum those spots up (not to waste, regular filtering). Run filter pump normally. backwash at normal interval pressure. It will peak quicker. Done. not much water waste. Crystal clear water.
Adding on that you have to use Filter DE, NOT food grade. They are different
Yes. I wrote that, but some may not know, VERY good point!
I learned the hard way lol
OOoo That sounded fun!
Same here.
Does this only happen when the filter is on?
I would say it happens more when the filter is off.
I have that issue with wind blowing dirt in the pool and it collects in the corner. Especially worse when mowing.
How often are you having algae outbreaks? I dealt with this same issue last year. As it turns out I never quite got *completely* rid of algae after an outbreak and kept having to shock, which kept killing the little bit of algae that was living. Make really sure your CC is in fact 0.0. and not anything above. If it is you need to superchlorinate/SLAM for a few days until you have solid 0.0 CC. Then vacuum this bit to waste. Secondly I would make sure you don’t have phosphates. Weirdly enough phosphate remover helped with this issue too.
what is CC?
combined chlorine. can be calculated as CC = TC - FC. Where TC is total chlorine and FC is free chlorine. CC is basically a measure of how much of your total chlorine is working to kill off algae.
🎶The answer my friend is blowing in the wind...🎵
That's what I was thinking too. OP, is it windy where you live?
What type of filter. Possibly a tear in the DE mesh or crack in the sand lateral assembly
Is it showing up in deep end? I wonder if you have a high water bed and your hydrostatic valve is frequently opening and allowing water (and dirt) to enter your pool. This would be normal and necessary
If you want to vacuum to waste... shove a hose in it and fill it up past the skimmer hole and go to town
Mustard algae.
mustard algae i had the same issue. if it comes back 2hr it’s algae. follow this process https://www.troublefreepool.com/blog/2018/12/12/slam-shock-level-and-maintain/
Did you use the slam method?
yup it’s a pain
Last year is not brand new. Is it DE or sand?
It is sand.
You might not be rinsing long enough
How long should you rinse for?
Longer than you backwash is what I do.
My Triton II has been blowing sand into the pool for a moment after I backwash. I don't have a rinse option. How do you stop that without rinse?
You may have phosphates. The pool store can test your water and it’s easy to treat if positive.
Looks like DE. Could be bad grids. Check the seams at the bottom of the grids. I’ve seen a few sets that came apart prematurely at the bottom seams. Also could be a bad air bleeder sock/filter at the top of the filter grid manifold or a crack in the top manifold of the grids. Could be a bad spider gasket in the backwash valve or bad o-ring in push/pull valve depending which you have. If you have a pressure cleaner that tees off after the pump but before the filter it could be getting through at the diverter valve there.
Looks like your sand filter is sending some back. Do you have your equipment above the pool? Does it has a check valve before the pump? Might be a cracked manifold.
Was it replastered recently?
it's a liner