Recent content by Backyard Luddite

Re: Winterizing AGP-Full take down-What to do with dirt area There isn't a full 4" banking/edge around the entire pool or I would gladly pursue the ice skating rink option!!! The pool was set up in a drainage portion of my yard for several reasons. Not the best option, but it worked for many...

Really-no replies to what to do w/Crop Circle dirt area? Sorry for the second post (topic title "Winterizing AGP-Full take down-What to do with dirt area?") has nearly a 100 views, but no replies. Maybe all the AGP enthusiasts that have taken their pools down for the season are taking a...

My current challenge is what to do with the 4 inch deep 14' circle in my yard over the winter. My concern is if I leave it bare won't animals (deer in our area), rain, snow, etc., help soften the 4 inch "wall" and cause more issues when setting up the pool next season? I spread, taped, and cut...

After researching how long the hose draining option would take, I used an extra sump pump we have to easily drain the pool over 8-10 hours vs. several days with the garden hose option. Research detailed the first half of the pool draining with a hose goes well, then the less pressure (with...

Pool water looks great as usual. All water tests have been normal. The only change in my filter system is that I have not been using the SWG side of my combined Sand & SWG filter due to manufacturing issues. Instead, for the last month, I've been using the 50 lb. sand filter on FP mode...

It's certainly an option, but this is a brand new control unit - Intex sent a new one - so the new one has less than 30 hours run time. No calcium buildup noticeable. But I'll try it to see if it helps. Other forum posters write that cleaning the plates helped - others say no. I thought with my...

Pump flow is always very strong. I thought it might be flow-related because the SWG mode worked fine for a while when the outflow ball valve was decreased significantly to direct water out of the fountain. The system shut down when I turned off the fountain. I decided to try multiple flow...

Very interesting discussion! I also have the Intex combined Sand and SWG filter system. My question is on the SWG. After I got everything (new Intex pool and filter) installed and modified (inwall skimmer, hard plumbed everything, PVC fountain, etc.) my Intex filter system worked great. Then a...

I used plumbers teflon tape on the plastic threading of the Intex SWG and now have a small leak. Actually I've had a leak on two different connections. I'm wondering if it's causing more problems than solving a potential problem - especially when you have to undo the connections to clean the...

I'm testing with a Taylor K-1005 test kit. I got it (and extra CYA reagent) before I found TFP. I'll definitely order the K-2006 from TFP next season. I had a different initial water balancing process because I decided to put an inwall skimmer in after I had begun filling the pool. I had to...

My CYA level has been as high as 70 but its averaged in the 50s for a while - 55 today. I've used approximately 1/2 the 4 lb. container of CYA I bought a month ago. I added 6 oz. (dry weight) just a couple nights ago. I thought I'd have CYA going into next season, but to keep the CYA level at...

Thanks for encouraging me to hook up the cart filter! I just finished setting it up and I feel much better now that water is circulating. I tested my water and the chlorine had dropped a bunch since Tuesday: 1) FC of 1, a TC of 1 -- so a CC of zero (BTW, I've never had a CC that wasn't zero)...

My Sand and SWG combo was working great for the first 3 or so weeks. I started hearing a louder than usual noise coming from the motor so I shut it off and called Intex. They immediately said they would send a new Control Station for me to replace by taking off 4 screws in the motor housing. I...

First I want to thank many forum members who were instrumental in helping me with my pool setup. It's been a full time FORCED hobby for the last month. Now that we are enjoying the pool every night after work I wanted to post a couple photos and give some tips from my experience. Two photos...

Re: How long can I go before not adding anything to new pool I have some questions regarding total CYA level. Many TFP posters recommend CYA levels of 70 before turning on SWG. I've been gradually getting my FC numbers up (unfortunately wasting time as some of you correctly suggest) and think...