- Apr 14, 2013
- 74
Totally new to pool care and have been using a pool service for $50/mo. We decided to try DIY for at least a month. I was hoping for some money savings and to learn water chemistry better.
If after the learning curve, the potential savings is small; then plan to return to pool service.
QUESTION #1
What benefits did you see in the first year of DIY pool maintenance?
QUESTION #2
If CYA increases the amount of Chlorine needed, why use it?
QUESTION #3
Is there a safer method of dropping PH than using muriatic acid?
QUESTION #4
If you just add chlorine to a pool, over time will the PH move acidic or basic?
Do not have a test kit yet, but will order this week. All I have is the AquaCheck 5 test strips.
Test results, initial {10 days post end of pool service}
FC 0
TA 40
TH 1000
PH 8.4
Today's results
FC 4
TA 100
TH 500
PH 7.8
{note strip does not test for CYA}
Changes:
1. Add 1.5 gallons "shock", liquid chlorine
2. Add 16 oz muriatic acid
Current issues and any comments would be appreciated
1. some algae, duh
2. some cloudiness in water
3. can't figure out how to turn off the pipe to the solar heater so I can rinse the pool filter.
Sorry about all the questions but really new to this and any help at all will be much appreciated. Next time I'll try to reduce questions to one/post.
If after the learning curve, the potential savings is small; then plan to return to pool service.
QUESTION #1
What benefits did you see in the first year of DIY pool maintenance?
QUESTION #2
If CYA increases the amount of Chlorine needed, why use it?
QUESTION #3
Is there a safer method of dropping PH than using muriatic acid?
QUESTION #4
If you just add chlorine to a pool, over time will the PH move acidic or basic?
Do not have a test kit yet, but will order this week. All I have is the AquaCheck 5 test strips.
Test results, initial {10 days post end of pool service}
FC 0
TA 40
TH 1000
PH 8.4
Today's results
FC 4
TA 100
TH 500
PH 7.8
{note strip does not test for CYA}
Changes:
1. Add 1.5 gallons "shock", liquid chlorine
2. Add 16 oz muriatic acid
Current issues and any comments would be appreciated
1. some algae, duh
2. some cloudiness in water
3. can't figure out how to turn off the pipe to the solar heater so I can rinse the pool filter.
Sorry about all the questions but really new to this and any help at all will be much appreciated. Next time I'll try to reduce questions to one/post.