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When we closed last month we placed a pool pillow under the cover as we always do. Then my wife asked, what does that actually do? And while we're at it, how big should it be and how much should it be inflated?

I never know what size cover to get for our 25ft round above ground. Is there actually a correct size? What should I be shopping for? They only last a year or two before the grommets tear out anyway. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.

She thinks I just poured a ton of chlorine in. What she doesn't know was that I bought the last 4 cases of 12.5% at our nearby Ocean State and did 2 1/2 days of SLAM (and probably 1 or 2 more to go). It's amazing how if you have the wherewithal to follow those simple directions your wife might...

I measured. I must have measured wrong. I should have measured twice. I added 4lbs and now my CYA is up around 60. Other than emptying half the pool is there a way to get it back down to a manageable number? I'm fine with emptying half the pool, but there's a drought going on.

I need to replace the old skimmer that developed a hairline crack down the side last winter. The Doheny Skimmer System, the Hayward Dyna Flow, and the Swimline 8940 all look similar. Do skimmers all come in a standard size and they'll just fit a 5 3/4 inch wide hole? Or is it going to get more...

I need to replace this water intake assembly. Any advice on what to order, how to measure, steps to take in replacing it, etc. would be appreciated. Our old pool had a plastic dam that covered the intake that seemed to do a good job keeping the water out over winter. But, again, I'm not sure...

3 day SLAM. Perfect clear blue water and good overnight FC levels. Wife is happy. Thanks TFP!!!

We have a sta-rite cartridge filter that I suspect is a problem. First day opening the pool, my wife got in and started vacuuming. That's when I noticed the return water was looking kind of murky, as if the stuff she was vacuuming was passing straight through. I took the filter apart to make...

I'm looking for recommendations to get the pool cover off without spilling any muck from the pool cover into the pool. I've never done this successfully as long as we've owned the pool. This year I've been using a little pump, recommended in these forums, with a weighted end and a squeeze ball...

I stopped by our Ocean State (central CT) today pick up a couple cases of shock. They've swapped out their stock for winterizers, so no more cheap chlorine. I take this as a sign of end of season. We usually go through 2-3 gallons a week so I'll run completely out this weekend. I think I should...

the pool is still beautiful. I wish I'd had wherewithal to do a real and complete SLAM much much earlier. I cannot believe how clear the pool is. I can see the bottom of the far end. That's never happened before. And I have not had to clean the filter once, and the flow and water pressure have...

I could not be happier. You can see from one side clear across to the other.

Over the years my DPD-FAS "Chlorine Only" test tube has stained badly above the 10ml line, possibly DPD or FAS or some byproduct, above the 10ml line. Is there some solvent or something that might remove it and get it back to close to new looking?

Day 5 and I can see the bottom! Hourray!

I started a SLAM 4 days ago and now my wife just reminded me that we're taking a four day vacation starting just over a week from now. All my algae success will undoubtedly backslide. Maybe I should stop this SLAM now, and start over when we get back rather than waste all the chemicals and...

Started SLAM four days ago. Rather than running through a lot of FAS-DPD reagents and the time involved in doing that test, I know from the last couple days of testing every four hours that I need to add 9 quarts of 12.5% solution spread out throughout the day to stay at or slightly above the FC...

Starting a SLAM, testing for FC and CC using the TP-100 test kit, starting with R-0870 powder. The instructions say to fill the chlorine only vial with 10cc of pool water, then add a scoop of R-0870. If it does not turn pink I have no chlorine. And it does not turn pink. But the regular daily...

I took the ladder out today and was appalled at the amount of green gunk that had accumulated in hollows in the side facing the wall. Helpful tips to clean out all the crevices?

I had my CYA right at 50 about a month ago using the TFP 100 test kit. But I've been having problems maintaining the pool so I took a water sample to Leslie Pool. They told me my CYA was currently at 10. So where does CYA go? We've had rain, but not enough to replace 80% of the pool water.

If you've followed me you know I've just had terrible pool problems for a few years. I think I've found the underlying issue. I've been using a Sta-Rite PLM100 cartridge filter, which I didn't realize until this morning has a max 30GPM flow rating, with a 70GPM pump for three years. So chances...

The water return (return to the pool from the pump) normally has a ball shaped nozzle that causes the water to shoot out forcefully. Is there a reason it's there? If it's not there the same amount of water must go to flow through the filter, more or less. It's just gone. What's it even called? I...

It would be great to have an FAQ on how to open an AGP. It seems like such a mystery. We just got the cover off yesterday. There's no really good way to do that. Today we're starting to vacuum the bottom and sides so we can start our SLAM. In a few weeks we're hoping it'll be ready for use. This...

I'm looking at the broken pieces of the nozzle thing shoots water into our above ground pool. Hopefully you know what I'm talking about. It came apart into three pieces (a ball with a hole in it, a cover piece that traps the ball, and and a piece that screws into the wall) when I tried to...

I've always run the filter for another week after covering/closing the pool for the winter, but I have no idea why. Tell me it doesn't make any sense. I don't know anything about pools.

Can someone explain how a variable speed motor will save money? The Pentair site, if it can be believed, says I'll save, in my case, over 75% on the cost electricity. Is it just a more efficient motor? Does it not have to run as many hours? Does it run the same number of hours but at a lower...

We're thinking about getting a new filter for next year. It looks like the Intex Krystal Clear Sand filter Pump for Above Ground Pools, 14" is a good choice. It's a best seller on Amazon with high ratings. It has a flow rate of 2150 GPH and it looks like I only need 1850 GPH for my 15k Gallon...

I'm thinking of superslamming - of bringing ppm up to 15 or 20 for a week. Any downside to doing that?

15k AG pool - We had been using a DE/Cartridge StaRite PLD50, but probably need something bigger. Also, we take it apart and store it in the garage overwinter, so that's a requirement too. Suggestions? And/or what should I look for in a new filter? Do I need to replace the whole filter+pump+base...

How would I check if I need a new pump / filter? How an I tell if the one I have is adequate? We swapped out for a StayRite PLM100 last summer and the pool has just never been good since then. It's so green.... I know with slamming you're supposed to run 24/7, but this filter I get very little...

Do I not need the floaty thing with the chlorine tabs in it? Someone said it adds CYA. Other than that is there a reason to have it? I check chlorine levels daily and add liquid 12.5% as needed.