The pool store guy says...

[wanderer_roch]

...that using liquid chlorine to maintain the pool adds lots of calcium to the pool. "only some die-hard old-timers still use the liquid"

I thanked him for his advice (that only their Chemicals are the "smart way" to go) and now I'm turning to a community with some pool sages to get a real answer. Any thoughts?

 

[JamesW]

Liquid chlorine does not contain calcium. It contains sodium hypochlorite. Calcium hypochlorite is the only type chlorine that contains calcium.

 

[dmanb2b]

Here is a nice little write up on chlorinating options and their pros/cons

pool-school/types_chlorine_pool

 

[anonapersona]

Hmm, and how does the pool store guy feel about weekly shocking with powdered cal-hypo products?

 

[257WbyMag]

Hmm, and how does the pool store guy feel about weekly shocking with powdered cal-hypo products?

Something tells me that he would be fine with that as long as you buy your Cal-hypo from him. :lol:

 

[wanderer_roch]

Thanks all, I had read the pool school articles before my chat with the pool store guy so it took some self-control to get through the BS he was spouting.

 

[noaliasneeded]

Ran the first set of numbers with my new Taylor kit. The kit that the pool company gave me when I installed the pool didn't test CYA or CH. So after getting my results and plugging them into the Pool Calculator, there was a need to increase my CH (70) and CYA (45). I decided to let a local pool supply company analyze the water and compare the two. Out popped a fancy printout with a with all their recommendations ($100). She asked me when I last cleaned my filter and I told her last Sunday (3/27). For some reason she plugged the date (2/17) into the computer, which indicated that I needed "filter shampoo" (not included in the $100). I bought what I came in for and left. I sure am glad I found this site.

 

[anonapersona]

I decided to let a local pool supply company analyze the water and compare the two. Out popped a fancy printout with a with all their recommendations ($100).

I gotta ask... what did they want you to add to the pool?

 

[Bama Rambler]

They have programmed all sorts of recommendations into their custom software. It's designed for one thing and one thing only. To generate revenue. It's not designed to help the pool owner at all.

Like Anona, I'd like to know what all they said you needed.

 

[noaliasneeded]

1lb Alkalinity Increaser, 1.75lbs Stabilizer, 15lbs Calcium, 18oz Algae Inhibitor, 3lbs Maintenance Oxidizer.

Preliminary numbers:

FC 4
PH 7.4
TA 80
CYA 70
CH 250
Salt 3000

SWCG runs from 11am until 5pm @ 15%

Correct me if I'm wrong. Wouldn't running my waterfall bring my PH back up to it's normal level of 7.6, or should I do that chemically?

 

[JasonLion]

Yes, the waterfall and the SWG will both tend to drive up the PH over time. If this is troublesome you can lower the TA to 60 and let the PH go up to around 7.7 or 7.8. If it isn't a problem then there is no need to do anything.

 

[Bama Rambler]

With those numbers I wouldn't recommend anything. If your pH is stable I wouldn't do anything to bring it up. If the SWCG isn't raising it you're in really good shape.

 

[noaliasneeded]

Thanks guys. My efforts so far. Just need the water to warm up a little. Shouldn't take too long since the pool is in this much sun from 10am until around 4pm.

 

[duraleigh]

That's excellent water chemistry, noalias, and a great looking pool to go with it!! Nice work!

 

[Richard320]

[center:14kmsn28]The pool store guy says you need

What do I win for guessing correctly?[/center:14kmsn28]

 

[denisbaldwin]

Richard wins Salesman of the Year for excellent product placement.