Hi All -
First of all...outstanding forum. Wow! Reminds me of BITOG from a few years ago (fact based!)Glad I found it.
I haven't been around pools in about 15 years, but was around them all the time back in the day - so I am not a complete NooB - just a little outdated and don't remember all the details - but this site is helping!
My wife and I recently purchased a 100+ y/o home with 20+ yrs of deferred maintenance. One of those items is a pool that was 'permitted' in the early 60's (but is likely older than that).
Pool stats : See Signature
Other Details: Single skimmer, two returns in the shallow end(sub-optimal), and a deep end drain.
Water Quality: Cloudy, Greenish tint - still relatively clear however. Mustard Algae on Walls, on check valve.Water smells like mildew (might be just the stuff on the coping while splashing around)
Quirks: Kreepy Krauly and other plastic items (like skimmer) feel 'slimy'
Plaster condition: Surprisingly good...but not great. Extensive staining on bottom 'looks' like dirt (don't see any rust spots) in deep end. Some evidence of cracking that was repaired. Not sure if it is original plaster or not. Other parts 'look dingy'. Deep end stains respond to rubbing soap stone (don't want to do this). I'll try to take a better picture tomorrow morning. Don't think it is black algae.
Last weekend, I rewired/repaired the pool pump system - let's just say that using the pool was not a good idea. The pumps were loud - amperage while still below FLA, was above normal for these motor ratings. Voltage at the pumps was a full 15V below the panel! After the repairs, the pumps are quiet and are running smoother and the amperage is where I would expect it to be.
Note on the filter says last time it was cleaned was in 2011. Pressure on the StaRite 3 pump was 17PSI and climbing by the day (was 15PSI 2 days prior to the cleaning). After getting the electrical issues straightened out, the pressure spiked to 22 PSI. I cleaned out the Sta Rite 3 filter - wow it was really disgusting. Soaked it in Cascade. Will soak in Cascade & acid wash once I get rid of the algae. Cartridges appears to be in surprisingly good condition. Post cleaning filter pressure is 5 PSI...I'd say it was a little past due.
Onto the chemistry...
Pools store tested (said it was the Taylor kit). (TFT kit ordered).
TC/FC 4 (sheet does not specify it)
CYA 100
TA 160
CH 400
PH 8.1
TDS 1300+
Phosphates 1000+
(3 different stores have roughly the same figures as above).
In the pool store: One guy wanted me to use 2 x 5oz of Yellow Treat (Sodium Bromide, 88%) followed by 2 Gallons of Chlorine. Another wanted me to use Asorbic Acid to treat the stains and kill the algae. I didn't like the idea of bromine in the pool and didn't want to bother with the Ascorbic Acid until the other items were under control.
I have ordered a TFT kit and it should be coming soon - so reliable results coming.
Previous owner likely used nothing but TriChlor tabs and DiChlor/Trichlor shock to regulate chemistry, although I did find 3 gallons of 12% chlorine (still sealed, but sun bleached) - questionable strength - dumped it all in at the same time I restarted the newly cleaned filter. Water did clear a little bit (less green) - and the algae looked a little whiter - and was still a little cloudy.
Now: where to start? (once I have reliable numbers that is)...
Do I lower PH, TA, etc prior to SLAM'in? Best way w/o draining?
I have started stockpiling bleach (18 gallons of it) & picked up 8 gallons of chlorine from pool store. I think it makes sense to SLAM the pool prior to 'closing' it.
I would like to add borates to the pool too...but not until I have it all stabilized.
First of all...outstanding forum. Wow! Reminds me of BITOG from a few years ago (fact based!)Glad I found it.
I haven't been around pools in about 15 years, but was around them all the time back in the day - so I am not a complete NooB - just a little outdated and don't remember all the details - but this site is helping!
My wife and I recently purchased a 100+ y/o home with 20+ yrs of deferred maintenance. One of those items is a pool that was 'permitted' in the early 60's (but is likely older than that).
Pool stats : See Signature
Other Details: Single skimmer, two returns in the shallow end(sub-optimal), and a deep end drain.
Water Quality: Cloudy, Greenish tint - still relatively clear however. Mustard Algae on Walls, on check valve.Water smells like mildew (might be just the stuff on the coping while splashing around)
Quirks: Kreepy Krauly and other plastic items (like skimmer) feel 'slimy'
Plaster condition: Surprisingly good...but not great. Extensive staining on bottom 'looks' like dirt (don't see any rust spots) in deep end. Some evidence of cracking that was repaired. Not sure if it is original plaster or not. Other parts 'look dingy'. Deep end stains respond to rubbing soap stone (don't want to do this). I'll try to take a better picture tomorrow morning. Don't think it is black algae.
Last weekend, I rewired/repaired the pool pump system - let's just say that using the pool was not a good idea. The pumps were loud - amperage while still below FLA, was above normal for these motor ratings. Voltage at the pumps was a full 15V below the panel! After the repairs, the pumps are quiet and are running smoother and the amperage is where I would expect it to be.
Note on the filter says last time it was cleaned was in 2011. Pressure on the StaRite 3 pump was 17PSI and climbing by the day (was 15PSI 2 days prior to the cleaning). After getting the electrical issues straightened out, the pressure spiked to 22 PSI. I cleaned out the Sta Rite 3 filter - wow it was really disgusting. Soaked it in Cascade. Will soak in Cascade & acid wash once I get rid of the algae. Cartridges appears to be in surprisingly good condition. Post cleaning filter pressure is 5 PSI...I'd say it was a little past due.
Onto the chemistry...
Pools store tested (said it was the Taylor kit). (TFT kit ordered).
TC/FC 4 (sheet does not specify it)
CYA 100
TA 160
CH 400
PH 8.1
TDS 1300+
Phosphates 1000+
(3 different stores have roughly the same figures as above).
In the pool store: One guy wanted me to use 2 x 5oz of Yellow Treat (Sodium Bromide, 88%) followed by 2 Gallons of Chlorine. Another wanted me to use Asorbic Acid to treat the stains and kill the algae. I didn't like the idea of bromine in the pool and didn't want to bother with the Ascorbic Acid until the other items were under control.
I have ordered a TFT kit and it should be coming soon - so reliable results coming.
Previous owner likely used nothing but TriChlor tabs and DiChlor/Trichlor shock to regulate chemistry, although I did find 3 gallons of 12% chlorine (still sealed, but sun bleached) - questionable strength - dumped it all in at the same time I restarted the newly cleaned filter. Water did clear a little bit (less green) - and the algae looked a little whiter - and was still a little cloudy.
Now: where to start? (once I have reliable numbers that is)...
Do I lower PH, TA, etc prior to SLAM'in? Best way w/o draining?
I have started stockpiling bleach (18 gallons of it) & picked up 8 gallons of chlorine from pool store. I think it makes sense to SLAM the pool prior to 'closing' it.
I would like to add borates to the pool too...but not until I have it all stabilized.