Well, I measured the chemical levels in my pool today after not measuring since October. Oh, boy. My CYA registered above 100 – as high as the test went – but I believe it’s probably in the 110-120 range. My CH was 350 – not totally surprising since we have such hard water in Phoenix. Other measurements were normal, except for FC, which was sky high at 19 (finished successfully SLAMming my pool less than a week ago). I have the Taylor K-2006 test kit and even measured CYA twice.
To lower the CYA, I understand I need to replace some water. According to the pool calculator, that figure is around 40 percent. I believe these are my options. I know there is some personal preference involved, but what has worked for you? Keep in mind I have a cartridge filter and hose spigot between my pump and filter, and no backwash option.
1. Turn off the pool equipment and rent/buy a submersible pump and quickly drain the pool. One issue I have with this is that I can’t send my water to the sewer (HOA forbids this) and I’m not totally comfortable dumping roughly 5,000 gallons of water in my yard in an afternoon.
2. Attach a garden hose to the spigot between the pump and filter, drop it in the yard and move it around every so often, using the water to irrigate grass, shrubs, plants and trees at a slower, more manageable rate. Am I correct to assume that I would need to keep my auto-refill on to avoid the water line going below my skimmer? And what RPM should my pool pump setting be for this? Currently, I have it at 1500rpm for pool/skimmer and run it up to 2800rpm for cleaner. The downside (a small one) is that it would take much longer and I’d use more water since the auto-refill would be on.
3. Use reverse osmosis to clean up the CYA and CH levels. I like the idea of not wasting water and I’ve read the cost is about the same as refilling. I’ve contacted a local company for a quote. I guess my decision on this will come down to price.
Am I missing any other options?
I confess, I used tri-chlor tabs in a floater during the winter. I had bought a tub of them at Costco last winter before I discovered this site in the spring and adopted the BBB method. I wanted to get my money’s worth, and now I’m paying the price. I learned my lesson. The pucks are out of the pool and won’t go back.
To lower the CYA, I understand I need to replace some water. According to the pool calculator, that figure is around 40 percent. I believe these are my options. I know there is some personal preference involved, but what has worked for you? Keep in mind I have a cartridge filter and hose spigot between my pump and filter, and no backwash option.
1. Turn off the pool equipment and rent/buy a submersible pump and quickly drain the pool. One issue I have with this is that I can’t send my water to the sewer (HOA forbids this) and I’m not totally comfortable dumping roughly 5,000 gallons of water in my yard in an afternoon.
2. Attach a garden hose to the spigot between the pump and filter, drop it in the yard and move it around every so often, using the water to irrigate grass, shrubs, plants and trees at a slower, more manageable rate. Am I correct to assume that I would need to keep my auto-refill on to avoid the water line going below my skimmer? And what RPM should my pool pump setting be for this? Currently, I have it at 1500rpm for pool/skimmer and run it up to 2800rpm for cleaner. The downside (a small one) is that it would take much longer and I’d use more water since the auto-refill would be on.
3. Use reverse osmosis to clean up the CYA and CH levels. I like the idea of not wasting water and I’ve read the cost is about the same as refilling. I’ve contacted a local company for a quote. I guess my decision on this will come down to price.
Am I missing any other options?
I confess, I used tri-chlor tabs in a floater during the winter. I had bought a tub of them at Costco last winter before I discovered this site in the spring and adopted the BBB method. I wanted to get my money’s worth, and now I’m paying the price. I learned my lesson. The pucks are out of the pool and won’t go back.
