Let’s see your water after removing winter cover!! *PICS THREAD*

The CYA will be the same but the PH and FC may be different.
I was going to just test the CYA using last night’s water sample. Then I’ll test everything else with a new (cold) sample right after. I’m adding borates to my pool today so I’ll definitely be testing the pH/TA with a new sample here shortly. I despise the CYA test and the cold water temps just make it more annoying lol. The bottle has been sitting since yesterday evening, so it should be plenty warm. No rain or anything since then.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Newdude
I stopped adding poly when I close. With closing really late when water is in low 50’s and opening with water still in 40’s never should be an issue. Just close it at slam level and u should be good.
I never use poly. The thought of letting the FC drop to half SLAM level and then adding Polyquat which will eat up even MORE chlorine would have my anxiety very high, especially with how unseasonably warm our winter was. I close really late, too — early November.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Newdude
My FC was 9ppm when I opened (I let the pump run a few hours before testing). I closed SLIGHTLY above SLAM level and used a solid cover, but was still surprised my FC was so high upon opening lol. I could never go the Polyquat closing route. The low FC would drive my OCD crazy!
Me Too Girl GIF by Hollie Kitchens
 
I was going to just test the CYA using last night’s water sample. Then I’ll test everything else with a new (cold) sample right after. I’m adding borates to my pool today so I’ll definitely be testing the pH/TA with a new sample here shortly. I despise the CYA test and the cold water temps just make it more annoying lol. The bottle has been sitting since yesterday evening, so it should be plenty warm. No rain or anything since then.
Just fill the little squirty bottle & put the cap on then stick it in your pocket for a little bit. Presto! body temp sample.
 
No offense to anyone who does use it, but I don’t really see the point or how it’s extra insurance? Waiting until mid to late fall when the water gets cold and bringing FC to SLAM before covering and opening (early) is pretty much a guarantee for clear water if everything was clean/balanced at closing. I bought Polyquat years ago and ended up giving it away (unopened) to someone on here.
 
Last edited:
Omg! I never would’ve thought of that. I have those cheap hand warmers also. I bet that would work well?
I don’t see why not although probably not necessary.
When I am impatient I hold it in the hot tub a minute 😂
 
You have a beautiful pool! My water was a little over 55 degrees F when I opened. I’m curious….since your water temp is so low, did you just let your water sample warm up inside before testing CYA? I wanted to test mine again yesterday but the water was only 53 so I let the sample sit overnight. Wondering if it’s still good for testing? 🤔🤔 I should know this by now lol
I fill a large cup with hot water. I put sample cup in that water and warm it up to 70. Then test.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
I never use poly. The thought of letting the FC drop to half SLAM level and then adding Polyquat which will eat up even MORE chlorine would have my anxiety very high, especially with how unseasonably warm our winter was. I close really late, too — early November.
Yah I close so late and open so early I don’t sweat it at all.
 
View attachment 562921View attachment 562922View attachment 562923View attachment 562924

Definitely gonna need a good vac run. That'll have to wait because my vac head is too tight in the new pro tuff pole so I have to request an adapter.

PLENTY blue tho.
Horrible cloudy water on opening. Shame. Shame. Should have opened 2 months earlier. Lol

Kidding. Stellar water already! But those worms! When I opened this year I ran the bot under the cover all day while at work I came home to a bot that had worms hanging out all over any seam on the unit. It looked like worm murder scene.
 
Many close early and the PQ lasts longer than chlorine. So for them it makes sense because the FC was never going to last long enough anyway.
Even when I close close to slam level with all the rain we get and the water I take out I still dose liquid 1-2 times in winter to keep it clear. Just in case. I throw my pump in the deep end with a 4 foot hose. Let it whip and pour liquid over it. That stirs it up in 2 hours throughout the pool. Nice and easy. Little bit of extra insurance if it’s a warmer winter.
 
Horrible cloudy water on opening. Shame. Shame.
I KNOW. I'll have to bite my tongue the 53 times somebody is blaming their mesh cover this spring. They won't want to hear that their approach is the problem. So I don't even try anymore.
all the rain we get
I started hanging the pump in bucket to drain more of the rain water up top. It really helped retain some chemicals at the bottom. Previously I pumped from the bottom and was mostly zeroed out in the spring and this year I was only down 1/3 for salt and CYA.

20240113_134640.jpg


Once lowered, I sunk the bucket to the bottom and toss the hose left, right, and center for 20 mins each on the cover to mix.
 
I KNOW. I'll have to bite my tongue the 53 times somebody is blaming their mesh cover this spring. They won't want to hear that their approach is the problem. So I don't even try anymore.

I started hanging the pump in bucket to drain more of the rain water up top. It really helped retain some chemicals at the bottom. Previously I pumped from the bottom and was mostly zeroed out in the spring and this year I was only down 1/3 for salt and CYA.

View attachment 563920


Once lowered, I sunk the bucket to the bottom and toss the hose left, right, and center for 20 mins each on the cover to mix.
Interesting. Interesting that is very hard core. When I pump out water I put it on my bench seat in deep end which is what maybe 17 inches deep from bottom of tile. I zero out every single winter if I didn’t add. Cause when I measure in winter I’m always like 2 or under by Jan ish.
 
that is very hard core.
It takes 2 mins to set up and I carry all the needed things out there in the bucket. (Rolled up flat hose, string, extension cord and pump). After draining a foot and assuming there was a decent amount of top mixing, the top water still tested 0 FC and 0 salt so it was still all rain or stratified water.

I am sold it's the way to go.
 
If I may ask a stupid question, we purchased our house last year and did a major overhaul on the pool, ran from August to the end of October with no issues. Now it's time to open the pool and I am firstly hoping that I winterized it correctly. But all of these photos have me wonder, do you SLAM a pool when you open and it's clear?
 
If I may ask a stupid question, we purchased our house last year and did a major overhaul on the pool, ran from August to the end of October with no issues. Now it's time to open the pool and I am firstly hoping that I winterized it correctly. But all of these photos have me wonder, do you SLAM a pool when you open and it's clear?
Not a stupid question at all!! What are your water test results? We can go from there. 🙂

EDIT: Oh, and what are you using to test your water?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mdragger88

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.