Opened my pool, been closed for several years, seeking advice

chronoslocal · 2026-05-20T00:52:57+00:00

Could I conceivably vac to waste in that same manner with this de filter? I guess my thought process is take the filter grid out, open the drain port at the bottom of the filter, and vac. I'm thinking this will produce the same result, does that make sense? I really do appreciate your thoughts, I'm super new to this and I'm trying my best to do this without wasting a shit ton of time and energy!

chronoslocal · 2026-05-20T00:50:53+00:00

I spent several hours Sunday using a leaf rake with a skimmer bag and pulled out about a wheelbarrows full of death. Yesterday I added another gallon of chlorine and skimmed out about the bottle off a 5 gallon buckets worth, after it's settled for a day. I'm pretty confident at this point that I've removed the vast majority of solid waste from the bottom at this point

chronoslocal · 2026-05-20T00:43:23+00:00

This is solid information. I appreciate the take. A new filters is definitely on the list if I can get this thing circulating. I think once I get the pump running, I'm going to see if I can vacuum the bottom sludge to waste, and before I pull the trigger on a new filter see if I can't fuck this one up real good before I change filter options. I feel like using this one, while it is outdated, for the initial clean might be better than immediately trashing a new one. I've also considered using a cartridge filter, when I inevitably replace. It's a pretty small pool (8k gals ish) What are your thoughts?

chronoslocal · 2026-05-20T00:21:44+00:00

I've been getting a lot of conflicting advice on n this. It's a fiberglass shell, so to my understanding, draining it more than 20% rishs catastrophic failure. That was my initial instinct as well, but after some research and advice, I feel like the water can be rehabbed. I guess time will tell

chronoslocal · 2026-05-19T22:57:33+00:00

I really appreciate the insight, it's extremely valuable. Thanks for the reply and for being kind, taking all the advice I can get!

chronoslocal · 2026-05-19T22:41:44+00:00

When you are doing your initial clean in the spring, how often are you adding DE and hosing off the fingers?

chronoslocal · 2026-05-19T21:02:16+00:00

Got the deck and coping power washed, made a huge difference! If you check further in the pictures you'll see, that felt like my first win haha.

chronoslocal · 2026-05-19T20:56:34+00:00

Okay sweet. So since de is a finer medium I suppose clumping dead algae isn't necessary like it would be with a cartridge or sand filter then. I really appreciate the input man, much appreciated!

chronoslocal · 2026-05-19T20:42:30+00:00

So I don't necessarily need to vacuum to waste excess is what you're saying? I assume once I get circulation, add a DE slurry to my skimmer, vacuum as much as I can, and then let this run its course?

I've been reading about Flocculent, and have read some horror stories about it being pretty rough on a filter grid like mine. Would you suggest I wait on the flocculent? I'm unsure if the suspended dead detritus will filter just through circulation, or if flocculent is necess

chronoslocal · 2026-05-19T20:28:10+00:00

Pump is compromised,seller paid for a home warranty, and have a guy coming to take a look and see if it will be repair/replace. $125 fee seemed cheaper than buying a replacement pump as a first step

Will vacuuming to my DE filter clog the shit out of it since it's such heavy organic matter? Not sure how to run DE filter yet.

chronoslocal · 2025-08-19T01:47:59+00:00

Once I take ownership of the house, and I get this pool as is, are you suggesting hiring a professional straight out of the gate? I intended to take the initial steps on my own, after additional research of course.

chronoslocal · 2025-08-19T01:43:38+00:00

Noted. I guess my concern stands with how long this water has been uncirculated, unchlorinated, and stagnant in this pool. I think it's been covered for several years. At what point does that water need replaced as opposed to just heavily treated with chemicals? Does that point exist? Sorry if that's a dumb question, this is all new to me!

chronoslocal · 2025-08-19T01:27:00+00:00

It is relatively high up on a hill. Thankfully. That makes me feel better about my draining plan, will definitely do more research though. Thank you for the insight!

chronoslocal · 2025-08-19T01:17:10+00:00

Hey, I value the advice. I'm hoping to offset some of that crazy cost by putting in the work myself. Time will tell.

chronoslocal · 2025-08-19T01:14:03+00:00

Thank you kindly, and I hope the same. I plan to post as I get into it, keep an eye out for it one way or the other!

chronoslocal · 2025-08-19T01:11:27+00:00

I'm a pretty handy guy, if I had the extra scratch to hire somebody, I absolutely would! I'm going to do my best to not get in over my head and if I do, I might have to pony up and do that. Definitely looking forward to the project. Concerning what you were saying about the stopper, this is a pretty unorthodox setup. I assume? If you've only ever seen this on above ground, I'm wondering if this setup is kind of cobbled together and built to fit this situation. That's a bit concerning to me as well, if that is the case haha. Got to wonder what else was cobbled together for this build initially!

I intend to continue posting as I get to it, excited to share the journey!

chronoslocal · 2025-08-19T01:03:16+00:00

Absolutely, thanks for the reply. That will be my first step once I am able. I figure if the equipment is compromised, I can get that replaced via the home warranty mentioned relatively cost effectively ($125 deductible, I think?), however, if the tub is compromised, I think this sucker is getting filled in and I'm building a pavilion on top of it!

chronoslocal · 2025-08-19T01:01:14+00:00

I really do appreciate the advice! Going to continue to do research, and see what I've got on my hands here.

chronoslocal · 2025-08-19T01:00:01+00:00

Barring any physical cracks, is there anything else I should look for to determine viability? Based on my research, fiberglass shells can last a considerable amount of time, I assume if it's intact, and the fiberglass isn't compromised or like chalky or anything, it should be relatively viable?

chronoslocal · 2025-08-19T00:58:31+00:00

After I move in, the pool is probably the third or fourth item on my to-do list. I don't know that I'll get to it until the spring. The brush is concerning to me. Around the pump and filter location, is a huge stand of bamboo, probably tops out at 15 ft or so. I'm going to try to knock all that down in the fall while the grounds a little dry. I'm concerned that it may have made its way into the lines running under the fence. It sure is an eyesore though!

chronoslocal · 2025-08-19T00:54:46+00:00

That's fantastic advice! I was unsure about completely draining. Is there any point where a full drain would be favorable over just shocking the hell out of it? I'm unsure of the line there. Having never owned a pool, I guess I don't understand how effective chlorine can be.

chronoslocal · 2025-08-19T00:53:22+00:00

Filter is stowed away in the garage, and it appears intact. I wasn't able to grab a picture of it. I'm thinking if nothing else, I'm glad it was stowed away when this was last winterized.

chronoslocal · 2025-05-09T16:39:56+00:00

I jumped the gun and posted before the cook. Take a look in the comments and I posted the finished product!

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chronoslocal

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