Recent content by Nikki in IL

Yes, you need to drain it and store it for the winter. Vinyl + ice and cold weather aren't a good mix. After draining as much water as you can, it's a good idea to take old towels and dry it as best you can (we always let our sit out a couple of days after draining it to get good and dry). If...

We use a little submersible pump, too. Actually, we've dragged it out several times since we closed the pool to pump large amounts of water off the cover all winter and early this spring. I have to agree with poolgirl22 -- those little pumps are invaluable.

Well, with that much chlorine drop, something is definitely consuming it. Have you changed your filter much during all this? I know you've said you're cleaning it a couple of times a day, but a new one everyday for two/three days would be an easy place to start. Also try cleaning out the pump...

"Shock" level is dependent on CYA level. Here's the link for the chart: pool-school/chlorine_cya_chart_shock. Hang in there...it really does sound like you're getting the basics down! Let us know how it goes.

Jason...I think I got all of your suggested changes -- definitely wasn't thinking straight calling dry acid "ph up"...oops. Take a look and let me know what you think.

That picture needed to be in the collection of pool accessory pictures from last month!

I searched the archives a few weeks ago when I wanted to know the answer to this question, and found several posts who said that the brand of pool didn't matter as much as the quality of the ground prep. You might also ask this in the pump/filter forum and see what they recommend (our...

First, the easy answers..."stabilizer" is the same thing as CYA (cyanuric acid). It is not the same thing as dichlor. Dichlor has CYA as an ingredient, along with other stuff. It's fine to use stabilizer if you can't find dichlor. Go ahead and get some CYA in there now...put it in a sock, tie a...

Thanks, Frustrated Pool Mom. I made the change you suggested, and added an explanation of what was changed and why.

Okay, folks...I've tried to combine a lot of what we've discussed and it's still long (although maybe simpler). Some amounts may not be right...jump in and and correct. So...are we closer? Water Chemistry for Small Pools (e.g. Intex – less than 6000 gallons) This guide covers smaller...

I'm happy to get this together into one document. The last time I'd checked in, though, we were up in the air on a few things. Remembering that this is "watered-down" BBB, I believe most of us are in agreement that the pH and chlorine drop test kit are what think will work, right? Are we...

Okay folks, I’ve waded through the four-five pages of discussion for days and really tried to boil it down into something that both resembles sound pool management and is simple to do (both in acquiring supplies and in daily practice). Coming to a consensus on exactly what to recommend is...

Jason...I have the Intex 18'x4' easy set. Somewhere (can't remember if it was the Intex site or the paperwork that came with the pool) the specs indicated the top diameter is 14' (at the "fattest" part of the ring, if that makes sense). Below the ring (at the top of the water) it's about...

Okay -- give me a few hours as the kids and I have errands to run this morning. I'll add to Paul's this aftenroon and post it.

I can jump in here where Paul is having to leave off (have a good trip!) if you'd like.