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Ok, I can understand your issues handling chlorine, whether it be a liquid (bleach) or a solid (trichlor), but honestly, your argument against using SWG and CYA is misguided. Most of the folks who have already replied are experts with many years of using proven methods in the field. I would...

Be careful when handling the Muriatic Acid. Wear protective eye gear, clothing and gloves, and don't breathe in the fumes. Some folks say to pour downwind, but I just simply hold my breath when first pouring out of the jug (wind direction can change suddenly). Extra care must be used if pouring...

You might want to check it a few times a week from now on. Personally, I clean mine out daily, especially since we have a surrounding garden and lots of trees, and use a skimmer sock.

Acid is heavier than water. Even if you pour it over the return jet, some will find it's way to the bottom before it is all thoroughly mixed in your pool water. Therefore, it is important to get the acid mixed and diluted as much as possible before it can sit on the pool bottom for any extended...

I personally prefer not to have the pool on a timer for any period of time while it's unattended...unless a neighbor is available to check on things and can shut the system down in case of a malfunction. I have used the shock method before leaving on vacation and it has worked for me. If away...

Ha! Talk about OCD...I will mix a five gallon bucket of water per half jug of Clorox and THEN pour over the return. Probably needless and waste of time, but like a dad worrying about an infant's bottom, I don't want to even risk a possible rash on my nice smooth vinyl liner.

There are pool cover pumps with a shut off float that works like a typical sump pump. Once the water level retreats to a level below the float, a switch will cut off power to the pump. I don't know if this arrangement will fit your 4 inch pipe, but it might be worth a look.

You don't have to settle for either, if you don't mind using the liquid chlorine. Have you used it the past (wasn't clear on that)? A bit more work intensive, but not a big deal. Just buy the standard Clorox bleach (buy when on sale if you can) and use the pool calculator under pool math to...

Well, for the most part; but the chlorinator does have it's place in the chemical maintenance of the pool. I'll use one when I'm away for several days, otherwise the pool will start turning green from algae formation. I'll also use the tabs when I want to RAISE the cya level when I find it is...

I have been using the telescoping painter's pole for many years. They are much more durable than the flimsy aluminum poles found at the pool store. You'll have to rig up a connecting end to allow your pool accessory items (brush, leaf rake, etc.) to be attached. I chose the path of sawing off a...

Just make sure to keep an eye on the water level if you are going to experience periods of heavy snow. Built up snow and ice on your cover will cause it to sag putting a lot of pressure on it. I try to make sure the water level is just below the coping so that the cover will not sag as much...

Deleted. Found the answer.

The question was answered from the perspective of an INGROUND pool user. The idea being that the effects of water freezing inside the skimmer box would be mitigated by the contraction of the plastic gizmo as the water inside the skimmer freezes and the ice begins to expand. The foam pieces of...

I purchased the same Austin's liquid shock a week ago at a local Christmas Tree Store, and discovered that the concentration listed did not coincide with my dosing and test results. I did not get the amount of free chlorine in the pool indicated by the pool calculator when dosing with the...

There have been previous discussions on this site regarding the use of H2O2 in pools and spas. I don't remember exactly when, but you can google: INURL:troublefreepool h2o2.

Re: muriatic "not recommended for fiberglass, vinyl-liner... Muriatic acid in its typical concentration could cause problems with a vinyl liner IF not applied correctly. Whereas you could typically just pour it into a concrete (gunite) pool directly, you wouldn't want to apply it that way if...

I used to have that problem (ph rising over time) when using only liquid chlorine as my sanitizer/oxidizer. Since the liquid chlorine we use in our pools is inherently alkaline, its continuous use without taking counter measures will result in increased ph levels. As others have indicated...

I never use an algaecide when closing the pool. The key is to limit the amount of sun light that can get through the winterizing cover. On closing I add liquid chlorine to shock level, run pump for 24hrs, use a solid cover to close, and open in the late spring to a pool full of clear water...

Acids can cause harm to equipment if not properly applied. Since I have a vinyl covered pool, I take the precaution of first diluting the acid before adding it to the pool and slowly pouring it into the deep end right over the return to get it circulating quickly. I follow up immediately with a...

I found out from experience that perception plays a large part on how clear one's pool water appears to be. I had a DE filter for a couple of years but got tired of the maintenance headaches and switched back to a sand filter. However, I began using a zeolite filtrate instead of the...

Sorry I’m a little late to comment on this thread, but I don’t get a chance to come here to the forum too often. I hate manual vacuuming as much as anyone else and the bots aren’t worth the money (in my experience). I use a leaf rake or skimmer net to gather up the larger pieces of...

It is normal to kick up some sediment and debris when vacuuming which in time will be sucked up by the filter. Taking your time will reduce the amount in suspension. Run the pool filter 24/7 until you have completely vacuumed the bottom and the water is clear.

The reviews from friends and neighbors regarding the vacuum bots is mixed. A number of years ago I purchased one for around $1000. It worked fine for the first two seasons, but then started to act erratically (no longer covered the entire pool). I eventually gave up on it and went back to...

Re: A couple of tips I thought everybody knew. Anybody got some If you hate vacuuming as much as I do, you'll do almost anything to avoid it. Since I would rather rake and sweep, I first would rake up any large pieces of debris from the bottom of the pool. Then I would brush the pool...

Unfortunately, this "bubbling" or puckering of the liner generally means that the liner has stretched and is either taking on air or water behind it. The cause of the stretch in a liner that is only 3 to 4 years old, is usually due to improper chemical maintenance of the pool. Maintaining a...

The best protection for a vinyl cover is "prevention". Acids that come in contact with the vinyl will over a short period of time do irreparable harm. Do not pour acid containing chemicals directly into the pool. They should be highly diluted with water and slowly introduced into the pool...

Take your leaf rake and attach it to the end of your vacuuming pole. Extend it long enough to reach the bottom of the deep end. Scrape it along the bottom and see what you come up with. This will take some arm strength. If you are using one of those pool store poles (hollow aluminum), be careful...