New to forum and relatively new pool owner but have learned a lot reading this forum over the past year. Wanted to give my take on a Hybrid approach to keeping my pool clean, clear and safe without adding too much maintenance. At this point I’m not willing to convert to SWG pool to reduce maintenance, chemicals are only a small part of that. Keeping **** out of your pool and keeping the filters, skimmers and cleaners maintained at needed rates is how you stay away from problems. You do what you need to do when it’s needed, not check a calendar schedule. Keeping it balanced and clean is the name of the game.
Balancing a pool and keeping it balanced can be tricky to understand, I’ve just gone through it but decided now was the time to understand so over checked and learned not to over chemical in the process. Here is some of my practices that have worked well so far..
Sanitizer – A chorinator is very convenient but tricolor will raise CYI quickly in hot Texas summers. So plan on doing some partial drains to keep the levels from getting too high. Only use Triclor when you’re looking for convenience and turn off the chlorinator when not needed. For example if you shocked or in winter when a little bleach weekly is all you need. When using bleach make sure to keep acid on hand because it does significantly raise the PH. I usually add a little acid each time I add bleach to keep away from swings.
Anyone else taking this mixed approach, I really don’t think doing a few partial drains a year is that bad and I can use my convenient Trichor chlorinator.
I’ve really not had any problems with TA or CH yet but keeping eye on them. My first winter is going real well with very low chemical maintenance, just weekly bleach and acid. Like I said no calendar weekly is an average sometimes a little more. Maintenances in winter is all about leaves for me. Unfortunately several different types dropping over long time. That has almost ended so next couple months should be my lowest maintenance time of year.
When the weather starts warming up in a couple of months I’m planning on switching back to Trichor when more regular CL additions are needed.
I did my partial drains for CYA in the fall and kept it balanced each time so only making small adjustments each time. Small is good. I got behind on the CYA increase initially so will not let it get too high before my next partial drain. I just let the pool pump drain it overnight. I usually don’t drain more than 20 percent at a time. Close off the skimmers, turn off autofill hook up the hose, really very easy and safe if you don’t try to do too much at once.
Coming to my first spring in a couple of months, does anyone see any problems in how I’m managing my pool?
Balancing a pool and keeping it balanced can be tricky to understand, I’ve just gone through it but decided now was the time to understand so over checked and learned not to over chemical in the process. Here is some of my practices that have worked well so far..
Sanitizer – A chorinator is very convenient but tricolor will raise CYI quickly in hot Texas summers. So plan on doing some partial drains to keep the levels from getting too high. Only use Triclor when you’re looking for convenience and turn off the chlorinator when not needed. For example if you shocked or in winter when a little bleach weekly is all you need. When using bleach make sure to keep acid on hand because it does significantly raise the PH. I usually add a little acid each time I add bleach to keep away from swings.
Anyone else taking this mixed approach, I really don’t think doing a few partial drains a year is that bad and I can use my convenient Trichor chlorinator.
I’ve really not had any problems with TA or CH yet but keeping eye on them. My first winter is going real well with very low chemical maintenance, just weekly bleach and acid. Like I said no calendar weekly is an average sometimes a little more. Maintenances in winter is all about leaves for me. Unfortunately several different types dropping over long time. That has almost ended so next couple months should be my lowest maintenance time of year.
When the weather starts warming up in a couple of months I’m planning on switching back to Trichor when more regular CL additions are needed.
I did my partial drains for CYA in the fall and kept it balanced each time so only making small adjustments each time. Small is good. I got behind on the CYA increase initially so will not let it get too high before my next partial drain. I just let the pool pump drain it overnight. I usually don’t drain more than 20 percent at a time. Close off the skimmers, turn off autofill hook up the hose, really very easy and safe if you don’t try to do too much at once.
Coming to my first spring in a couple of months, does anyone see any problems in how I’m managing my pool?
