Hi all, this is going to be a long read! As the title states we have a new pool; previously had a swg pool as a renter so have minimal experience with pools. Homeowners now (means getting serious about this being adults stuff!) and built a 18x40’ rectangular diving pool with 6’ tanning shelf and 7x7’ attached spa.
Equipment: 2 Jandy VSP 2.7 hp (one dedicated for waterfalls), Polaris PB450 booster pump, Jandy 4.5hp swim jet, cartridge filter, Ultra UV2 sanitation, Nature2 Fusion Inground (7 Cl puck capacity), Jandy heater (gas) haven’t checked out specs but requested capacity capable for both pool and spa, Jandy blower (for spa) and Polaris quattrosport cleaner.
Also, builder installed auto fill and overflow drain.
Took 18 hrs to fill the pool; with 2 hoses first 6hrs and 3 last 12 hrs. Based on water meter, estimate 27k gallons for the pool (forgot to check meter before builder filled spa).
Pool is operational as of April 18 and builder provided Pentair Rainbow 78 test kit (Cl, pH, acid demand and Alkilinity) then he mentioned I should buy Cyuranic acid test.
Well, I had to go on a trip May 7 and returned May 21 so I left the “assistant” in charge. Turns out the “assistant” wasn’t very keen on assisting and the chlorine pucks were gone and pool went slightly off color. Put chlorine pucks in the Fusion 22 May (Sunday) evening and ran system normally. Next day (Monday 23rd) Cl level was already at 1 -aka “normal” range (remember, using Pentair Rainbow test kit. assume that’s ppm?). I vacuumed, brushed and tested other values. pH was 7.8, acid demand changed with a single drop and alkalinity used 9 drops (not perfect, but within spec according to builder during his “pool school”)
Ordered a CYA test kit and K2006C and will use those when they are received and report back. In the meantime here are some questions:
1. Cleaner hose was slippery/slimy along 50% of hose and could see pool floor some color variation. Was hoping it was mostly dirt/silt as our yard still is primarily dirt from the construction and I’m seeding vs sodding the yard. Unfortunately after brushing still some color variation indicating algae on Sunday 22nd. Then we got about 3” rain on Tuesday and Cl dropped to 0.5 when I tested Wednesday afternoon. As of today (Thursday 26 May), no longer see variation of color on pool floor and cleaner hose is no longer slippery (although have a bit of gray matter remaining on ~8” of hose between in-line filter and wall - I’m assuming it’s dead algae). I get the Taylor kit today so super excited to test everything ASAP. If Taylor kit indicates Cl is good and considering the pool is looking clear and blue again would SLAM be necessary?
Update 1: got CYA test while writing this beast of a novella and see black dot very faintly at 20ppm. Have stabilizer in socks currently and still anxiously awaiting Taylor kit arrival.
2. We get free energy at nights, everything I’ve read stresses running pool during daytime and this really bothers my “sticking it to the man” psyche. Can I run the pump at super low speed during day and crank it up during the nights and still maintain the pool relatively easily?
3. Never had a spa before and it looks like the Quattrosport cleaner probably won’t work in it. Do you just brush the spa surfaces more frequently to stir up the sediment or do you vacuum? I find the vacuum quite frustrating due to not being able to get the corners clean. Any tips/suggestions?
4. Testing of water questions:
Builder said to fill water by dunking vials upside down until elbow depth to ensure testing below where CYA resides. Is there an optimum depth for collecting water for CYA test? Eg within 6” of surface, within 12”?
Thanks all!
PS. Have Jandy Aqualink R/S controller, any gurus have suggestions/guidance on how to set up slow pump speed during daytime operation and high speed during nighttime operation?
Equipment: 2 Jandy VSP 2.7 hp (one dedicated for waterfalls), Polaris PB450 booster pump, Jandy 4.5hp swim jet, cartridge filter, Ultra UV2 sanitation, Nature2 Fusion Inground (7 Cl puck capacity), Jandy heater (gas) haven’t checked out specs but requested capacity capable for both pool and spa, Jandy blower (for spa) and Polaris quattrosport cleaner.
Also, builder installed auto fill and overflow drain.
Took 18 hrs to fill the pool; with 2 hoses first 6hrs and 3 last 12 hrs. Based on water meter, estimate 27k gallons for the pool (forgot to check meter before builder filled spa).
Pool is operational as of April 18 and builder provided Pentair Rainbow 78 test kit (Cl, pH, acid demand and Alkilinity) then he mentioned I should buy Cyuranic acid test.
Well, I had to go on a trip May 7 and returned May 21 so I left the “assistant” in charge. Turns out the “assistant” wasn’t very keen on assisting and the chlorine pucks were gone and pool went slightly off color. Put chlorine pucks in the Fusion 22 May (Sunday) evening and ran system normally. Next day (Monday 23rd) Cl level was already at 1 -aka “normal” range (remember, using Pentair Rainbow test kit. assume that’s ppm?). I vacuumed, brushed and tested other values. pH was 7.8, acid demand changed with a single drop and alkalinity used 9 drops (not perfect, but within spec according to builder during his “pool school”)
Ordered a CYA test kit and K2006C and will use those when they are received and report back. In the meantime here are some questions:
1. Cleaner hose was slippery/slimy along 50% of hose and could see pool floor some color variation. Was hoping it was mostly dirt/silt as our yard still is primarily dirt from the construction and I’m seeding vs sodding the yard. Unfortunately after brushing still some color variation indicating algae on Sunday 22nd. Then we got about 3” rain on Tuesday and Cl dropped to 0.5 when I tested Wednesday afternoon. As of today (Thursday 26 May), no longer see variation of color on pool floor and cleaner hose is no longer slippery (although have a bit of gray matter remaining on ~8” of hose between in-line filter and wall - I’m assuming it’s dead algae). I get the Taylor kit today so super excited to test everything ASAP. If Taylor kit indicates Cl is good and considering the pool is looking clear and blue again would SLAM be necessary?
Update 1: got CYA test while writing this beast of a novella and see black dot very faintly at 20ppm. Have stabilizer in socks currently and still anxiously awaiting Taylor kit arrival.
2. We get free energy at nights, everything I’ve read stresses running pool during daytime and this really bothers my “sticking it to the man” psyche. Can I run the pump at super low speed during day and crank it up during the nights and still maintain the pool relatively easily?
3. Never had a spa before and it looks like the Quattrosport cleaner probably won’t work in it. Do you just brush the spa surfaces more frequently to stir up the sediment or do you vacuum? I find the vacuum quite frustrating due to not being able to get the corners clean. Any tips/suggestions?
4. Testing of water questions:
Builder said to fill water by dunking vials upside down until elbow depth to ensure testing below where CYA resides. Is there an optimum depth for collecting water for CYA test? Eg within 6” of surface, within 12”?
Thanks all!
PS. Have Jandy Aqualink R/S controller, any gurus have suggestions/guidance on how to set up slow pump speed during daytime operation and high speed during nighttime operation?
