Closing my pool for the first time. Live near Chicago, so pool will freeze. Wanted to run things by someone who has done it before.
I recently reduced my pH down to about 7.4. Will this change much during the winter? It has been creeping upwards to about 8.0 over the last month.
Pool has been algae free for almost a week now. FC has slowly dropped down to normal levels. I will raise FC to normal shock level (16ppm with CYA=50) for 24 hours with pump running. I will also add polyquat 60 and let circulate 24 hours.
I will bring all the lines (skimmer to pump, pump to chlorinator, chlorinator pool) into the house, as well as the pump. I will plug the skimmer bottom and water outlet (recommendations?).
I will drain the cartridge filter. Does anything related to the filter need to come into the house?
I will store extra acid (31%) outside as it should withstand freezing. I will store extra bleach (6%) inside (or can it withstand outside without bursting or loosing strength?). I will remove stairs and store outside.
I was planning on lowering the water level below the skimmer, but my newly purchased cover requires normal level. Does it really, or can I go 3" below skimmer? If normal level, for the skimmer, what is the consensus: aquador skimmer cover, or a skimmer guard (also called a gizmo?), or broken up noodle in skimmer, or something else, or some combination of these?
Cover states air pillow is required. Is it really? Can I use a passenger tube, or go with a truck tube instead?
Cover has cable and tightener for securing. I will also use bleach bottles filled with water either hanging from the grommets, or sitting on the pool rail.
Anything else I am missing?
I recently reduced my pH down to about 7.4. Will this change much during the winter? It has been creeping upwards to about 8.0 over the last month.
Pool has been algae free for almost a week now. FC has slowly dropped down to normal levels. I will raise FC to normal shock level (16ppm with CYA=50) for 24 hours with pump running. I will also add polyquat 60 and let circulate 24 hours.
I will bring all the lines (skimmer to pump, pump to chlorinator, chlorinator pool) into the house, as well as the pump. I will plug the skimmer bottom and water outlet (recommendations?).
I will drain the cartridge filter. Does anything related to the filter need to come into the house?
I will store extra acid (31%) outside as it should withstand freezing. I will store extra bleach (6%) inside (or can it withstand outside without bursting or loosing strength?). I will remove stairs and store outside.
I was planning on lowering the water level below the skimmer, but my newly purchased cover requires normal level. Does it really, or can I go 3" below skimmer? If normal level, for the skimmer, what is the consensus: aquador skimmer cover, or a skimmer guard (also called a gizmo?), or broken up noodle in skimmer, or something else, or some combination of these?
Cover states air pillow is required. Is it really? Can I use a passenger tube, or go with a truck tube instead?
Cover has cable and tightener for securing. I will also use bleach bottles filled with water either hanging from the grommets, or sitting on the pool rail.
Anything else I am missing?