I spent the last 9 years with a Nature 2 low chlorine mineral system from Litehouse Pools. The biggest problem I have with LP is that every person I talked to had a different answer. I could even go to 2 different store with the same water sample, and get different results and different recommendations. The lack of consistency was very frustrating, especially when following a recommendation, usually resulted in another trip to buy another chemical to counteract the the 1st one.
After reading several times through the Pool School topics on this site, I am ready to make the switch to BBB. However, I still have a few questions just to make this transition easier for me to understand. The pool is still covered, so I have no test results yet.
For the 1st few years, it was a simple formula - once a week clean the filter and add some clarifier and algecide, and shock it twice a week. Over the last 3-4 years, I have dealt with very high phosphate levels (resulting in several jugs of commercial phosphate remover and lots of aggravation). I think it was finally under control at the end of last year. Are phosphates something I should be concerned about initially, or will the daily/weekly testing show me when it becomes an issue?
Also, we fell into the cycle of no chlorine reading, then being told to add chlorine granules and pucks, which raised the CYA and PH, resulting in more chemicals to attempt to balance. At the end, the PH was ok, but the CYA was still very high and the chlorine very low. Everything I have read indicates that high CYA limits the effectiveness of chlorine, and that the only way to reduce the CYA is a drain and refill. Should I start with draining half, 2/3, or all the water before refilling?
I still have LP clarifier and algecide left over. Will I need to use these with the BBB method? Or can I dispose of them now?
Litehouse always sold "Start Up" kits and "Winterizing" kits. The BBB methods for start up and winterizing seem so simple, I fear that I am missing something. And I just want make sure I get it right the first time. I am about 3-4 weeks away from opening the pool. I just ordered the $68 test kit. I guess I am just looking for some feedback and assurance that I am starting off on the right track. Sorry for the rambling...
After reading several times through the Pool School topics on this site, I am ready to make the switch to BBB. However, I still have a few questions just to make this transition easier for me to understand. The pool is still covered, so I have no test results yet.
For the 1st few years, it was a simple formula - once a week clean the filter and add some clarifier and algecide, and shock it twice a week. Over the last 3-4 years, I have dealt with very high phosphate levels (resulting in several jugs of commercial phosphate remover and lots of aggravation). I think it was finally under control at the end of last year. Are phosphates something I should be concerned about initially, or will the daily/weekly testing show me when it becomes an issue?
Also, we fell into the cycle of no chlorine reading, then being told to add chlorine granules and pucks, which raised the CYA and PH, resulting in more chemicals to attempt to balance. At the end, the PH was ok, but the CYA was still very high and the chlorine very low. Everything I have read indicates that high CYA limits the effectiveness of chlorine, and that the only way to reduce the CYA is a drain and refill. Should I start with draining half, 2/3, or all the water before refilling?
I still have LP clarifier and algecide left over. Will I need to use these with the BBB method? Or can I dispose of them now?
Litehouse always sold "Start Up" kits and "Winterizing" kits. The BBB methods for start up and winterizing seem so simple, I fear that I am missing something. And I just want make sure I get it right the first time. I am about 3-4 weeks away from opening the pool. I just ordered the $68 test kit. I guess I am just looking for some feedback and assurance that I am starting off on the right track. Sorry for the rambling...