Maintenance Questions

 Circulation:

• Your pool comes with an energy efficient pool pump. We recommend that you run the filter pump 1-2 hours on and 1-2 hours off during the daytime. In warmer weather, you'll want the pump running more during the daytime than you have it off. 
• Backwash or clean filter if pressure is above 10-15 psi 
• Clean the skimmer & pump basket
• Keep jets facing circular and downward 
• Fill your pool using a hose connected to a municipal water source. Keep your water level above the suction and return, especially when your pump is on an automatic timer, as the pump should not suck in air. You’ll need to backwash the air bubbles out if your pump has accidentally pumped in air.

Cleaning:

• Skim the surface daily.
• Cleaning the Cartridge Filter: Remove and clean off cartridge every few weeks, or when you notice your water flow is weaker than normal, or when the pressure gauge is 5-10psi higher than normal. Use a garden hose with spray nozzle to spray down the cartridge from top to bottom. You may purchase a curved cartridge cleaning tool that attaches to your hose. Do not use a pressure washer! 
• Every so often, you may need to scrub your tank with a soft, non-abrasive brush or sponge to ensure that it is clean of algae and any slimy stuff. 
• Vacuum as needed.
• Cleaning the pump basket regularly is important to the overall maintenance of your swimming pool. Clogged baskets make your pump have to work harder to try to cycle the water. This can decrease the life and stress the seals in your pump. 

Follow these steps:

• Unplug the pump.
• Push and turn the filter valve to closed.
• Remove pump lid.
• Use a garden hose to wash the basket.
• Install pump basket lid and o-ring. Do not over-tighten.
• Make sure filter valve is in the "filter" position.
• Plug pump back in to power.

Chemistry:

• Only use the minimum amount of chlorine needed to keep your pool clean, about 1-2 x 1-inch tablets per week, less in colder months. DO NOT put your chlorine tablets directly in the pool! Place them in a chlorine floater and keep it all the way closed to release the chlorine slowly through the holes in the bottom. 
• Supplement the chlorine tablets with 1-3 cups of liquid chlorine each week (dependant on heat, sunshine and usage), pour in while your pump is on and water is flowing and keep water circulating for at least 45 minutes. DO NOT USE a "Pool Shock" unless it is actually only liquid chlorine. Pool stores may try to convince you to purchase pool shock for your pool, but store clerks generally do not understand the conservative maintenance required for a stock tank pool.
• In cooler months, you're going to need to use less chlorine in your pool. We recommend about one tab per week or less when it cools down. You’ll notice the chlorine won’t dissolve as quickly as it did in warm weather. 
• DO NOT mix chlorine and bromine in water. This can cause a dangerous chemical reaction. If you’re going to switch from one to the other at any point, you’ll need to drain and clean your Gorilla tankZ, and do a line flush.
• Backwashing: After a period of time, dirt accumulates in the sand filter which causes resistance to flow and which makes it necessary to backwash the filter. Conditions for backwashing (only for sand filters):