Hi all! Buying a "new" (to me) home, that was less than perfectly maintained. When my wife and I first saw the property 4 weeks ago, the pool was green and dirty. We had the winning bid on the home, and *should* be closing next weekend. Three weeks ago, they drained and filled the pool. I'm convinced they put nothing but water back in.
I currently have an above-ground spa, and use an "Exact Micro 7+" photometer for chemistry with it.
I went to the house today to take some readings, to see what I'm looking at, in terms of getting the pool back up to par.
I am unfamiliar with pool chemistry, although I have many hours on this site taking in all the available knowledge.
I calculated the pool at roughly 31,500 to 33,000 gallons.
The only measurement I could not take was salinity, as I'm not sure if the Exact does it. If not, I'll pick up some strips, or a Taylor test kit
for just the salinity.
The pool is about 6 years old.
>>> It's starting to grow algae on the bottom.
The readings are as follows:
FC = .03
PH = "HI" Yikes!
TA = 105
CA = 130
CYA = <5 Yikes!
The red "Add Salt" light on the SWG cell is lit.
The filter is showing 12psi, which I think is low for this filter...
I'd like to shock it, to kill all the nasties, but not sure where to proceed first considering the PH and FC.
To further make things difficult, there is no vacuum/robotic cleaner, and the special suction fitting on the side of the pool has the flap broken off, so it's sucking in water from there, and not the skimmers.
Cutting to the chase, my questions are:
1) What would be the recommended steps to get to the point where maintenance is in sight? Salinity, PH, then ... or another procedure.
2) I know I need a vacuum/cleaner, but should I get it ASAP, or can I balance the chemistry first?
3) Eventually, what supplies will I most likely need to stock at home for normal maintenance? Salt, chlorine, beer, etc.
4) Since the pool is about 6 years old, is there a point at which I should take apart the cell?
Thanks for the help!
Dave
I currently have an above-ground spa, and use an "Exact Micro 7+" photometer for chemistry with it.
I went to the house today to take some readings, to see what I'm looking at, in terms of getting the pool back up to par.
I am unfamiliar with pool chemistry, although I have many hours on this site taking in all the available knowledge.
I calculated the pool at roughly 31,500 to 33,000 gallons.
The only measurement I could not take was salinity, as I'm not sure if the Exact does it. If not, I'll pick up some strips, or a Taylor test kit
for just the salinity.
The pool is about 6 years old.
>>> It's starting to grow algae on the bottom.
The readings are as follows:
FC = .03
PH = "HI" Yikes!
TA = 105
CA = 130
CYA = <5 Yikes!
The red "Add Salt" light on the SWG cell is lit.
The filter is showing 12psi, which I think is low for this filter...
I'd like to shock it, to kill all the nasties, but not sure where to proceed first considering the PH and FC.
To further make things difficult, there is no vacuum/robotic cleaner, and the special suction fitting on the side of the pool has the flap broken off, so it's sucking in water from there, and not the skimmers.
Cutting to the chase, my questions are:
1) What would be the recommended steps to get to the point where maintenance is in sight? Salinity, PH, then ... or another procedure.
2) I know I need a vacuum/cleaner, but should I get it ASAP, or can I balance the chemistry first?
3) Eventually, what supplies will I most likely need to stock at home for normal maintenance? Salt, chlorine, beer, etc.
4) Since the pool is about 6 years old, is there a point at which I should take apart the cell?
Thanks for the help!
Dave