Search results

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    Autofill

    I use the wind-up hose timers for all kinds of yard things like deep watering new trees and citrus plants. I even use one for my normal garden hose in the driveway because I've been known to forget to turn it off and the hose sits under pressure all night which worries me it will pop when I'm...
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    Winner, winner, Mustard algae Dinner!

    First thing I thought was it's probably not algae. That's pretty aggressive algae growth for 12C (50F) water temps, especially if the FC dropped no lower than 5 while it was happening. Vitamin C tablet test results?
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    Risk of damage when attempting to reduce CYA

    I kept a 30,000 gallon plaster diving pool completely dry here in Mesa for almost 10 years and never had any issues except the plaster flaking (which was happening even before I drained it). I had it put back in service a few years ago with a new pebble-tech finish and there have been no issues...
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    Greetings from Arizona!

    Welcome fellow Gilbert resident! I'm near Cooper and Guadalupe. I converted to the TFP method a few years ago and couldn't be happier with the results.
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    Pool Water - Settles in layers?

    It's not the "TFP way" but I take my water samples from just below the surface at the pool steps where I have the least water circulation. I test in the evening when the sun has been out all day and the pool pump has been off a few hours. That time of day is also a 23+ hours from when chlorine...
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    Main drain cover half off

    My cover is not compliant but I have no safety concerns because I installed a threaded plug into the bottom of my skimmer basket (where the center drain loops through before going to the pump). That permanently shuts off the main drain and I've had no issues in doing so. I've gained more...
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    Is warranty worth it to buy a VS Pump directly from a dealer?

    Of course they aren't. Most things I buy these days are within fractions of an inch of failing right out of the box. Surge Protector? I have a whole house surge protector at my main panel and this smaller unit is at the pump. Amazon.com: Square D by Schneider Electric SDSA1175 Panel Mounted...
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    Is warranty worth it to buy a VS Pump directly from a dealer?

    Warranties are far too easy for the issuer to get out of with lots of little tricks or loop-holes to negate their losses. I installed my own pump, added surge protection, got the utility rebate and haven't lost any sleep over it. I never, never, never buy extended warranties. They are just...
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    Not happy with tile choice-advice please! UPDATE: Pool is finished!

    Re: Not happy with tile choice-advice please! I would leave it as it is. You are unlikely to ever get an exact match between two separate products. Trying to get it to match now with coatings, sealers and even replacement tile, will only make it more obvious that it was a failed attempt to...
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    #yolo_az New Build!

    My skimmer was placed on the west end of the pool but I wish it were on the east end. Westerly prevailing winds in the afternoons always drives the surface debris to the east end where it slowly sinks or sticks to the tile at the waterline.
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    Small Pool build in NW Peoria, AZ

    I'm over in Gilbert and fill my pool with city water but the makeup fill valve is plumbed with soft water. My home layout offered me a lot of options and being a handy guy (that doesn't like to drag long garden hoses all over the place) I have added 8 outdoor hoses bibs since moving in. Three of...
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    Timers that can't keep time?

    If it is the line frequency varying I would think all of my clocks using that as a reference would show the same error. I do have grid-tied solar panels with an advanced inverter. The local power company is using my system as a test subject to simulate stabilizing the grid during brown outs or...
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    Timers that can't keep time?

    Is there some logical explanation why my modern, digital microwave and stove timers in the house are accurate to within seconds per year and yet my new digital pool timers lose minutes per week? I would think that the 60-cycle A/C line power would provide the time reference like my microwave and...
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    Small Pool build in NW Peoria, AZ

    The recent cooler weather will cause the air pressure to drop somewhat. A warm day with sunshine will cause it to rise. Watch to see if it continues to fall.
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    Skim a round

    I tried the Skim-Around skimmer basket a few years back and it did not fit properly for me either. I bought it through eBAy so I got a full refund. I then got a Pool Devil. I like it much better. What I really like is that I can place it on the opposite end of my pool (or at any wall return...
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    Degrading of Liquid Chlorine

    FYI...I bought 10% HD brand chlorine at Baseline and Country Club on Sept 16th and it was dated only 2 weeks prior. Are you sure your store is not restocking with fresh stuff? I found fresh chlorine all year long last winter in Gilbert/Mesa Home Depots. You still have to watch for old inventory...
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    Question for the guys who buried their chlorine tanks in 100F+ environments

    I never felt it was worth the effort to do more than just provide shade for the reservoir. Mine is in a shed close to the pump. I have a smaller pool and don't keep more than 5 gallons around. I like that it is not buried because I can easily see the liquid level (frosty clear jug) plus I can...
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    Stenner Pump: Variable vs. Fixed rate?

    My pump is variable speed but I leave it at a fixed rate and change the delivery amount as needed with timer instead.
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    comparings non motorized cleaner.

    Depends on your plumbing I guess. I have a VSP and run at about 2400 RPM to clean for an hour with the Navigator and then run much slower as needed per water temps/season for general circulation.
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    comparings non motorized cleaner.

    I've had pools for 25+ years in Arizona. For an 8-year period I owned two homes with pools here. One in Mesa and one in Gilbert. I've had pressure-side cleaners, suction-side cleaners and a new Maytronics robot about a year ago as well. I have gone back to my tried and true Hayward Navigator...
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    Sunpower vs REC Solar Panels

    My comments: -You should really search around on solarpaneltalk.com if you want some expert advise from pros. Warning. They tell it like it is there so prepare for the truth. -PV panels are pretty much a commodity these days and I would put no more value on the heavily marketed SP panels than...
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    Walmart "Pool Essentials 10% Chlorinating Liquid" - Anyone else not able to find it?

    Re: Walmart "Pool Essentials 10% Chlorinating Liquid" - Anyone else not able to find No chlorine. They have to make room for Halloween and Christmas items. The season has already started you know. :(
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    Stenner installation with buried tank for AZ heat

    Another cool solution (pun intended)! A $5 Rainbird timer (6-stations) from a garage sale does all my pool valves and powers the 12VDC chlorine pump too. Bonus is I don't need anything else to program the system like a smartphone or a young brain to figure out all the downloads, upgrades and...
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    Any Good deals on Drums for Stenner?

    I'm also in AZ in Gilbert. My storage area is outside in the tool shed for my chlorine pump. Due to the heat I stick with a smaller container so I don't take up needed space and don't have excess chlorine sitting around being degraded by the high desert heat. I refill from Home Depot stock...
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    Hayward VS pump and external freeze protection

    Are you saying you have a freeze protection device separate from the one that is built into the pump circuit? If so, I believe you will have to set up the pump to be commanded into operation from an external trigger, similar to if you are using a separate master programmer instead of the 8...
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    DST

    I'm very happy that Arizona does not cut 12" off the top of our blanket, sew it on the bottom and then claim we have a bigger blanket. :) I grew up in Indiana back when they did not observe DST and then moved to AZ where they also don't have DST. I've never had to deal with it (except to try to...
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    Pool water hits 93 !

    95 degree water temps last weekend and 1/2 gallon of bleach injected per day (summer) here in Phoenix for my 12,000 gallon pool in full sun. CYA 50
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    adding DE to sand filter

    Not the same. DE is diatomaceous earth. Sparkle Filter Aid is cellulose fiber.
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    PVC Coupler keeps splitting

    Stop threading the fitting in so far. It rarely needs to be as tight as you think. Resist the urge to go "one more turn". :) Also, place a stainless steel hose clamp around the top of the female fitting and snug it up before you thread in the male section. That will give the plastic some extra...
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    Desert Dust Storms

    Sand filter used here in Phoenix and I see no real need to bother with adding DE after my backwashes. Mine pool cleans up just fine after a dust storm but I'll bet the dirt you see on the bottom the next day is just the finest talcum-like particals that take more than a day to settle out. If...