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Bump (yes, in next 1-2 months our temp will get cold and lots of rain and leaves will mess up my pool water if I don't do anything about this project). Great post GeekGranny. I love the idea of a prefab greenhouse that can just fit over (or attach to top of) pool. I have an above-ground pool so...

By the way, I was tempted to get the $649 Weber E-310 with porcelean-impregnated cast iron grills and powder-coated hood. They told me the cast iron lid helps keep it hotter, but again I decided on durability and rust-resistance over price or even some potential difference in grilling...

I ended up buying a new Weber Genesis S-310 (LP90901) stainless steel grill for $799 + tax. It is currently $100 (~9%) off regular $899 price. I figured I could buy several modifications (side burner, cover, nice outdoor table for prep area) and extras around the yard instead of paying an extra...

I might consider GrillDome Large or SuperDome https://site406.mysite4now.com/grilldome/gd/eshop/product_info.php?cPath=1_16&products_id=91&osCsid=rge7h9fobc71edkmem85m31ub7 ceramic grills. I like the idea of indestructibility and using less fuel (sustainability is a very big thing for me, and...

... and then there's the unheard of brand wild card used grill that sounds pretty darned good (and has nice clean picture): Cherry hill deluxe bbq grill.They don't come any nicer than this.3 stainless steel main burners with 54,000 btu's.1 side burner with 12,000 btu's.1 infared back burner with...

Hi Fellow TFP folks! Questions: 1. Which brand/model do you think best fits my needs and budget? (below) 2. What should I look for to determine grill quality: a. Sturdy construction - what areas typically poop out on grills and how to tell good quality from disposable construction? b...

Remember in Florida you'll get tons more sunshine than I do in Seattle, WA. I'd say it increased the pool ~7 or maybe 10 degrees warmer after using it on a couple consecutive sunny days (compared to bypassing the solar heater). Even with ~19 gallons per minute flow the water is noticeably warmer...

What I've learned: 1. Clouds are algae, even though I had FC above 20. 2. CYA level makes a huge impact in how much bleach and test solution you use. CYA 70 takes much more bleach and test solution than lower CYA. I'll definitely lower my CYA level next season (backwash/drain below skimmer for...

WOW! Even with subcontracting the dig and the cement you did a ton of work... and it's beautiful :goodjob: . The diagonal stone path took lots of extra cutting but looks fabulous and is a testament to your craftsmanship. I have a 100% DIY above ground pool that is nice but no where near as...

Water traveling through PVC at night will cool it a little, but not enough to fuss over. Water traveling through your solar array at night would definitely cool the pool like a radiator. That's one major reason why a bypass valve is important component for solar hot water configuration. Heat...

Quick update: The clouds are a bit thinner but not that much (perhaps extra 3-4" visibility). I can make out the bottom and any items on the bottom, but liner floor pattern is not clearly visible. Two days ago I removed the stairs and scrubbed off a bunch of brown film (dead algae) from behind...

Thanks for posting the additional reference links Greg. It sounds like your lot size constraint is tighter than my 1/4 acre corner lot :). I like the idea of using a computer fan to provide positive ventillation (as mentioned on soundproofingamerica.com link). I might also use the flexible...

Hi Geekgranny. I'm glad my solar panel deck description is giving you some ideas to use. You should definitely post a new thread (in the "under construction" section?) with your problem description, requirements and desired bonuses, and a couple pictures (or description with measurements) of the...

I found putting weight on the top of the motor reduces some noise (by reducing ability to vibrate). My plan is to buy some MLV (Mass Loaded Vinyl) and some stiff wire. I'll construct a set of half- cylinder "hangers" with one open end using stiff wire as my framing, then drape MLV over the...

I'm still cloudy, but I can see the bottom of the pool a little! I'll try posting a picture later tonight (gotta run now). Today's test results: FC=31.5 CC=.5 (likely closer to .25) Why 34 ppm yesterday? I'm in overkill mode. I've never read any posts saying too much chlorine is bad (other...

(edited original post to correct "CC 1 .5" to "CC 1") Thanks for the input (no longer frustrated) poolmom. I just realized I had a typo in my initial CC posting. Instead of "1 .5" the reading was actually 1 followed by .5 the next morning. Please let me know if 1 CC is considered high. I think...

Hi aqualicious, In your situation I'd definitely get an extra panel or two. Also you typically WANT to have the solar panels drain whenever they aren't in use unless you want some cooling. The biggest reason is that at night your solar panel surface area is effectively a radiator. Turn on the...

Thanks for the initial replies. We had some rain this morning (for first time in a long time). Here's tonight's numbers: FC=34 CC=.5 PH=8.4 TA=60 CH=20ppm* *I have a vinyl AG pool so I thought "Vinyl pools are unaffected" per TF-100 instructions and a few posts I've read. (Seattle has very soft...

Here's a photo: As of 9/3/2009 the pool is cloudy blue. I can barely see the fourth step and I can't see the bottom of the pool (about 52" down).

I've read for hours but could use some expert advice to make sure I'm doing the right things without going overboard. Problem: I live very near Seattle Washington (known for cloudy skies and rain), but that doesn't mean I should have cloudy water all the time! For the last two years I've had...

Welcome to TFP Shelley! FC 8 may be way too low depending on your CYA level. If you are using pool store chemicals (particularly trichlor pucks) you may have a high CYA rendering FC 8ppm fairly ineffective. If I recall some of the Aquacheck test strips commonly found in pool stores and Walmart...

It's been a few weeks and I'm happy to say the solar hot water roof is still working with no problems! Thanks for the comments Polyvue. My "luck of the Irish" may explain why my pool was so green for several weeks this year :P. (I'll post a separate thread on that topic.) Slide thoughts: I...

I have a Waterco 2HP (max rated) pump that came with my 12'x24'x54" AG Pool. The pump is oversized (as is typical of AG pool bundles per my reading in TFP and PF) and has a noisy hum during normal operation. The best solution would be to get a dual speed or Pentair Whisperflo pump, but my piggy...

Hi Amjohn, Great thread and great project! Thank you for taking such time to share the details, trials, and triumphs of your endeavor to swim without freezing or simmering. I might have a solution to your problem with supporting your sagging solar panels. I found light gauge galvanized z...

I forgot one important detail (which I'll add to my sig shortly): I live in Seattle, WA near a convergence zone. It rarely breaks 80 degrees and rarely goes below 25 degrees... but I've been told there is enough sunlight to be worth trying to harvest.

I’ve been working on building our above ground pool in our back yard for three years now. I'm a DIY nut who's spent more time reading this forum and designing my projects than I've actually spent in my pool. I officially finished phase 2 last week by turning on 160 square feet (~55% of pool...

Here's the full set of photos on Flickr Test full URL link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/84257774@N00/sets/72157622016698107/ Image inserted: That's it.

This is invaluable information! Thanks for posting the link to http://www.mikeholt.com and Mike's Pool electrical handbook section (which I just read start to finish). WOW. I'm still not a certified electrician but I learned a ton about electrical codes. I now also have an excellent reference...

Sean, thanks for launching TFP, growing from its roots and strenghtening it's core without changing the focus on member-supported content and contribution. With two kids of my own I understand (and share) your willingness to sacrifice personal projects for their success. Besides, they only grow...

In my age old quest for the cheap DIY dome I've come across a similar structure worth investigating... Garden Nursery Domed Roof Summary: Same as "cold frame dome" noted earlier except using construction technique and materials used by local garden nurseries. Go to a local nursery and look...