I just have a 1000 gallon inflatable for the kids, but I do want to keep it clean. I'm also a professional handyman, so I want to learn a little bit about pool maintenance and generally know what I'm talking about a little bit.
A bunch of random questions:
1) I saw a few people recommending TFP, so I just came to the site and started doing it. Apparently, there are different philosophies of pool maintenance and TFP is kind of non-traditional? How many different methods are there? What is "traditional" if there is such a thing?
2) I went to 2 pool stores and talked to employees who seemed to know what was going on (not clueless kids). Both confidently told me that CYA protects the chlorine, but there is no need to set my target higher. I didn't have trouble finding CYA. It seems like a pretty standard thing. Are both of them that clueless about their own products? Am I misunderstanding? I dunno.
3) The test kit only goes up to 5. Assuming I do want to target a higher FC level, how do I measure it? Do I need another whole test kit?
4) I have trouble getting exactly 5 drops out of the test kit. It always runs or squirts and I lose count. Is it critical to get exactly 5 drops?
5) How long can I realistically expect the season to last in New Jersey?
6) Should I buy some kind of cover or put a tarp over the pool? Will that keep garbage out? Make the pool warmer?
7) How can I keep mosquitoes away when we're swimming? They don't bother me, but my son comes out with 25 bites!
8) I don't have any way to test CYA. I'm pretty sure I put in the right amount. I don't expect it to change much. Maybe it'll get diluted by rain water a little bit. Is there really any reason to test it? If so, how often?
Thanks in advance to anybody who wants to tackle some or all of those for me.
A bunch of random questions:
1) I saw a few people recommending TFP, so I just came to the site and started doing it. Apparently, there are different philosophies of pool maintenance and TFP is kind of non-traditional? How many different methods are there? What is "traditional" if there is such a thing?
2) I went to 2 pool stores and talked to employees who seemed to know what was going on (not clueless kids). Both confidently told me that CYA protects the chlorine, but there is no need to set my target higher. I didn't have trouble finding CYA. It seems like a pretty standard thing. Are both of them that clueless about their own products? Am I misunderstanding? I dunno.
3) The test kit only goes up to 5. Assuming I do want to target a higher FC level, how do I measure it? Do I need another whole test kit?
4) I have trouble getting exactly 5 drops out of the test kit. It always runs or squirts and I lose count. Is it critical to get exactly 5 drops?
5) How long can I realistically expect the season to last in New Jersey?
6) Should I buy some kind of cover or put a tarp over the pool? Will that keep garbage out? Make the pool warmer?
7) How can I keep mosquitoes away when we're swimming? They don't bother me, but my son comes out with 25 bites!
8) I don't have any way to test CYA. I'm pretty sure I put in the right amount. I don't expect it to change much. Maybe it'll get diluted by rain water a little bit. Is there really any reason to test it? If so, how often?
Thanks in advance to anybody who wants to tackle some or all of those for me.