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  1. pjt

    Installing SWG myself-plumbing setup

    If you're replumbing, consider adding a heater bypass.
  2. pjt

    Target ph or CYA first

    Be smart about puck usage. Don't let your CYA get much above 50.
  3. pjt

    TA and CH levels

    No. TA of 50 is perfectly fine. I wouldn't add any baking soda. You'll have pH stability in the high 7s, which is also perfectly fine. If you added baking soda, you'd eventually need to add MA to counteract the pH rise, eventually bringing you right back to where you are now. Avoid getting...
  4. pjt

    Target ph or CYA first

    Your pH and TA look great, and CYA 40 is fine for your climate. It's critical now to abide by the FC/CYA chart. For CYA 40, your target FC is 5-7. Aim towards 7 and consider 5 your FC floor. What kind of puck? (Trichlor or cal hypo?)
  5. pjt

    Website problem?

    I have a similar problem where new links take me to my profile page (it's been this way for months). Only happens with Chrome. Firefox is fine.
  6. pjt

    Low CYA = Chlorine Loss

    Yes. 50-60 would be suitable for our climate. As noted above, pass an OCLT first before bumping up your CYA. Have you thought about a SWCG?
  7. pjt

    Weir Causing Vortex in Skimmer?

    Probably not. It's critical that the rock is bigger than the hole in the bottom of the skimmer to prevent it from getting sucked into the pipe by accident. There's plenty of area on the sides of the skimmer basket, so it shouldn't affect operation.
  8. pjt

    Those that run a VS 24/7. Whats the best method to test on what your % output is?

    PoolMath will generate an estimate of FC production. Go to "Effects of Adding" --> "Chemical Additions" --> "SWG" You can fine tune your output based on testing. With CYA 70, your FC should never be close to 3. Target range is 5-10, so think of 5 as your FC floor.
  9. pjt

    Water not Flowing due to Cartridge Filter

    You have a DE filter, not a cartridge filter. That often suggests algae. How are you testing?
  10. pjt

    Moving to SWG, where to install, design strategies

    If you're doing some replumbing, I'd remove the tab feeder, install the SWCG, and install a heater bypass.
  11. pjt

    Not sure about balance

    PoolMath is just a calculator. If you give it a target, it will tell you what it calculates is required to achieve it. Don't blindly follow its output.
  12. pjt

    Draining Pool In Torrential Rain?

    Are you operating 24/7? When the pump is off, acidic water from the tab feeder will damage the heat exchanger of your MasterTemp.
  13. pjt

    Pool Math with Borates

    If you're interested in borates, use granular boric acid since it's much easier to add.
  14. pjt

    Not sure about balance

    pH in the high 7s is fine, even 8.0 if your CSI is OK. You can add a tiny amount of MA to get your pH back into the high 7s. TA of 50 is perfectly fine. Don't. You're correct. Don't add any baking soda. Add just a whisper of MA. Otherwise, you'll end up on a baking soda/MA seesaw. You're...
  15. pjt

    Draining Pool In Torrential Rain?

    Are you still using that tab feeder? If so, it will slowly destroy your heater when you have the pump off. There should at least be a check valve to give you some protection. I'd suggest removing it and installing a SWCG.
  16. pjt

    Double checking me pls

    I would consider 1.5 gallons to be on the safe side, plus another gallon when they're done swimming. 30 kids will deplete your FC rapidly.
  17. pjt

    Featured How do I read this pH color on TF-Pro kit comparator block?

    A consistent background is key. To get good backlighting, hold the block in front of your computer monitor/tablet/phone with a blank white screen displayed. Also, try holding the block sideways or upside down. Sometimes that helps distinguish colors better. I also use two old hotel keycards to...
  18. pjt

    FC and CYA and Total Alk

    Did you perform/pass an OCLT? If not, you need to.
  19. pjt

    High Alkalinity, Decent pH, high Cya

    Your CYA is low, not high. Update your signature with your new and improved test kit.
  20. pjt

    Shock or not?

    Turn your SWCG off for a couple days and let the FC drift down, then retest and adjust your SWCG output.
  21. pjt

    Target ph or CYA first

    The water needs to be better than just seeing the deep end. Is the water crystal clear? If not, maintain the SLAM. Here's the clarity you should see: https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/how-clear-is-tfp-clear-lets-see-pics-only-please.207215/...
  22. pjt

    Pentair IC60 - Transfer guts to new housing?

    That's almost identical to the crack on my cell. https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/ic60-freeze-damage-repairable.224605/ The patch is unbelievably strong and bonds nicely with the cell's PVC. Yes. Maybe 1" wide centered on the crack. Here's what my repair looks like today (it's not...
  23. Screenshot 2024-05-28 232503.jpg

    Screenshot 2024-05-28 232503.jpg

  24. pjt

    Pentair Home - SWG Setting Issue (maximum 20%)

    Might be setup as a spa though?
  25. pjt

    Tracking Drop Test and SWG Salt Levels Separately

    Hey neighbor, I'm surprised you need baking soda. Most non-trichlor pools will never need it. I'm a little NW of you and our fill water TA is 330. What do you have in Katy?
  26. pjt

    Pentair Home - SWG Setting Issue (maximum 20%)

    You're probably have "SPA" selected, which limits SWCG production to 20%. Turn that off and turn on the "POOL" circuit.
  27. pjt

    Chlorine use in south texas

    How are you testing? In our climate, that would be about right for peak summer chlorine demand. I typically see FC daily demand of 4-5. Get a SWCG. It's by far the cheapest, easiest, and most convenient way to chlorinate, especially for our climate.
  28. pjt

    Heavy rain in Texas - low TA

    How are you testing? How are you chlorinating? What's the TA and CH of your fill water? Where are you located in TX? Assuming you have a recommended kit, during the TA test are you continuing to add drops until there is no additional color change?
  29. pjt

    IC40 salt level low, Taylor drop test much higher

    Confirm you used a 10 ml sample.
  30. pjt

    Chemical levels

    For the FC test, use a 10 ml sample so each drop is 0.5 FC. Saves time and reagents.