Sorry, but I'm going to ramble for a moment about my situation. I'm making changes to my pool setup, and basically looking for comments and suggestions on what I'm doing.
First of all, I don't have a new pool. I've had one for 8 or so years, and love it. My wife and daughter love it more, so even more worth it. Believe it or not, I've just happened across this site a week or so ago and have learned SO MUCH!!. To date, I've spent tons at the pool store our of ignorance. From what I've learned here so far, I'm making a change, through what I feel is a MUCH BETTER (but still learning) proper pool chemistry. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!
Now, part of my changes I decided upon prior to finding this forum, that this forum has further solidified. And with my newly found pool chemistry "knowledge", I'm excited about the upcoming season.
Now for some specifics.
1. Just a couple days ago I removed the sand from my sand filter, as the first step in replacing it. I'm replacing it due to a small amount of sand getting in the pool. I was told it was possibly a faulty lateral, and sure enough it was. One of the laterals was missing just a little piece of plastic, probably just enough to give me the small amount of sand. I figured it was probably time to change the sand anyway, so I proceeded. I am going by my PB this afternoon to get a replacement lateral and replacement sand. I had look/researched the zeo sand stuff, but after reading folk's opinions, both pro and con, I decided to just stick with sand for now.
2. I am switching my "normal" chlorine pool to a SWG pool, mostly for convenience, with the "constant" chlorine flow. Also for the advantages of salt water. NOW, I did read the posting where a couple fellows had a "debate" on SWG systems and convenience, and salt, and BBB, and bleach, and all of that. I understand (I think). But I going with the SWG system. Planning to order the Auto Pilot Digital 50K this afternoon. Looked at the Auto Pilot Total Control, but $$$$.
3. Pool Cleaners - I started years ago with the Polaris 280, good unit. Then I got the Polaris 380, very good unit, but got tired of replacing the belts. Then a couple or three years ago, I got the Hayward Phantom. Personally, I've never liked it. Trouble with the gears, trouble with the connector to the water source, and for me it just didn't seem to clean as well. So, this afternoon, I'm also going to place an order for the Aquabot T2.
4. Also getting a replacement solar cover. Not that important, just finishing the topic.
5. Oh yea, planning to purchase a quality water test kit, maybe a TF100. I haven't really decided on that yet.
Hey, can anyone cut me a loan.
Anyway, I've been struggling with pool chemistry for a while, basically due to pool chemistry ignorance. I'm going to fix that. Getting some new equipment, to make it easier to maintain the pool properly. Looking forward to that (I hope). And, with all of the money I'm about to spend, I feel I probably come out to the good anyway with the $100s ($1000s) of dollars I've spent at the pool store for chemicals. I was asked once last summer by the pool store dude what property I was from when I was buying two big buckets of chlorine. He thought I was with a commercial pool and needed that quantity for that reason. My reason was because I could not keep the stuff in my pool and dumping it in constantly. I SURE TO POOR POOL CHEMISTRY MAINTENANCE.
Ok, I'm done rambling now, and thanks for your time. Any suggestions or comments on my intended course of action.
Wait, I need to ramble a little more. On chemicals, I understand to lower PH, use muriatic acid, and PH should be ideally between 7.6 and 7.8. To raise TA, baking soda. Addition FC supplement if needed/desired, bleach. I understand CYA needs to be 60-80 ppm for SWG pools. My question, where to get CYA/stablizer. Yes, I've gotten that before from the pool store, is there another place? Or is that the only reason to visit the pool store?
Thanks so much for your time,
Mister Mister
First of all, I don't have a new pool. I've had one for 8 or so years, and love it. My wife and daughter love it more, so even more worth it. Believe it or not, I've just happened across this site a week or so ago and have learned SO MUCH!!. To date, I've spent tons at the pool store our of ignorance. From what I've learned here so far, I'm making a change, through what I feel is a MUCH BETTER (but still learning) proper pool chemistry. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!
Now, part of my changes I decided upon prior to finding this forum, that this forum has further solidified. And with my newly found pool chemistry "knowledge", I'm excited about the upcoming season.
Now for some specifics.
1. Just a couple days ago I removed the sand from my sand filter, as the first step in replacing it. I'm replacing it due to a small amount of sand getting in the pool. I was told it was possibly a faulty lateral, and sure enough it was. One of the laterals was missing just a little piece of plastic, probably just enough to give me the small amount of sand. I figured it was probably time to change the sand anyway, so I proceeded. I am going by my PB this afternoon to get a replacement lateral and replacement sand. I had look/researched the zeo sand stuff, but after reading folk's opinions, both pro and con, I decided to just stick with sand for now.
2. I am switching my "normal" chlorine pool to a SWG pool, mostly for convenience, with the "constant" chlorine flow. Also for the advantages of salt water. NOW, I did read the posting where a couple fellows had a "debate" on SWG systems and convenience, and salt, and BBB, and bleach, and all of that. I understand (I think). But I going with the SWG system. Planning to order the Auto Pilot Digital 50K this afternoon. Looked at the Auto Pilot Total Control, but $$$$.
3. Pool Cleaners - I started years ago with the Polaris 280, good unit. Then I got the Polaris 380, very good unit, but got tired of replacing the belts. Then a couple or three years ago, I got the Hayward Phantom. Personally, I've never liked it. Trouble with the gears, trouble with the connector to the water source, and for me it just didn't seem to clean as well. So, this afternoon, I'm also going to place an order for the Aquabot T2.
4. Also getting a replacement solar cover. Not that important, just finishing the topic.
5. Oh yea, planning to purchase a quality water test kit, maybe a TF100. I haven't really decided on that yet.
Hey, can anyone cut me a loan.
Anyway, I've been struggling with pool chemistry for a while, basically due to pool chemistry ignorance. I'm going to fix that. Getting some new equipment, to make it easier to maintain the pool properly. Looking forward to that (I hope). And, with all of the money I'm about to spend, I feel I probably come out to the good anyway with the $100s ($1000s) of dollars I've spent at the pool store for chemicals. I was asked once last summer by the pool store dude what property I was from when I was buying two big buckets of chlorine. He thought I was with a commercial pool and needed that quantity for that reason. My reason was because I could not keep the stuff in my pool and dumping it in constantly. I SURE TO POOR POOL CHEMISTRY MAINTENANCE.
Ok, I'm done rambling now, and thanks for your time. Any suggestions or comments on my intended course of action.
Wait, I need to ramble a little more. On chemicals, I understand to lower PH, use muriatic acid, and PH should be ideally between 7.6 and 7.8. To raise TA, baking soda. Addition FC supplement if needed/desired, bleach. I understand CYA needs to be 60-80 ppm for SWG pools. My question, where to get CYA/stablizer. Yes, I've gotten that before from the pool store, is there another place? Or is that the only reason to visit the pool store?
Thanks so much for your time,
Mister Mister
) the 'stand pipe' is covered to prevent sand/ gravel from entering it while you fill thew tank and fill the tank ~ 1/2 way with water before adding the filter material to reduce stress on the laterals while you pour. Fill the tank with water once all the sand is in and smooth it out with your hand - then do a ~ 1 min backwash when you first fire up the system. Make sure the gasket is in good shape and properly lubed with a silicone or teflon based lubricant and that there is no debris where it seals.
You also can't use bulk table salt because it contains iodine)