2nd Time Pool Owner

So I am on day 4 of the SLAM. Water is crystal clear (maybe the clearest it's been since I moved here). Chlorine dropped a little overnight so have not passed OCLT yet. Chloramines are 0.5, and I still see some green when I brush in certain areas of the pool, so I expect at least one more day. I know it varies, but what is a "normal" duration for a SLAM ?

Also, I got my new IC40 salt cell yesterday and have wired in the Power Center (not terminated yet). I will put some questions about that in the SWG forum.

Wife is excited because the pool looks so good. Last year we had a neighborhood person coming weekly and I didn't like her - wouldn't tell me what she added to the pool and by her shocking every week it kept me from understanding my SWG wasn't keeping up.

Also, I am revising down my pool volume based on how the FC is reacting to chlorine adds. Right now I am estimating more like 22k gal.

Question about backfilling wait time on new construction

Welcome to TFP.

My builder is saying that they can backfill the shell with dirt the day after the gunite is shot. I figured there would need to be some cure time before they do this.

If no access is needed to the outside walls, the gunite can be backfilled after the shot. Gunite will cure fine in the ground.

Gunite/Shotcrete needs to be protected from rain until it obtains its final set, usually 4 or 5 hours. Following the final set, it should be wet cured for at least 4 days, preferably 7 days.



We have red dirt clay soil. Also another question we are doing Hydrazzo for our pool finish how long should the shell cure before this is shot. Thanks in Advance.

I would give the shell at least 7 days of watering and curing. Then tile and coping needs to be installed. By the time the shell is watered and tile and coping installed it will be ready for plaster.



PVC Newbie - Having Trouble Getting Pipe to Fit in Fittings

Hello All,

I had a pool for several years and have been following the TFP methods. I decided to try tackling hard plumbing this year; however, I am having all kinds of trouble getting pipe to properly set in fittings. I am using Oatey Purple Primer and Oatey Rain-R-Shine Blue PVC cement. The glue always seems to be gumming up and and I can't get the pipe fully inside before it locks up. I think I'm moving at a reasonable speed. Am I underestimating the pressure it takes to get it fully seated....maybe I'm just on strong enough and need my husband to do it?

How critical is it that it is fully seated? Is there product that is more forgiving that will stills work? I am using a ratcheting pipe cutter on 1 1/2 PVC...I am deburring. I am not chamfering...at least not well...is that crucial? All help and advice welcome! Thank you!!!
I use the blue stuff as well. Just apply some to both the pipe and the socket and then insert the pipe within 10 seconds (and hold it there for about 5-10 seconds, or it can back itself out) and it should be fine. If you’re taking longer than 10-ish seconds you will need a slower glue or change your process to be quicker.

Stains all over pool

Woke up to a bunch of rust looking stains in my pool. Took a water sample to my local pool store and they said I had a lot fo copper in my water. I attached the report. I do have a lot of trees surrounding my pool and mulch bed with sprinklers (I attached pics so you can see the set up). That might be the problem? Anyways any advice on how to remove the stains would greatly be appreciated.
The only way for copper to get in the water is for someone to put it in there. What products do you use to maintain the chlorine?

The pool store test results aren’t reliable, even for copper testing. I’d get a jacks stain ID kit and find out if it really is copper and then make a plan after that.

And would recommend getting your own test kit and not rely on Leslie’s anymore. Here’s a link. Swimming Pool Test Kits Compared

New pump - Wiring connector

Hi all,
I need to replace my Hayward pump with a new one of the same model. I have a question regarding the wiring connector.
During the winter, I’d like to store the pump inside the garage, but I want to avoid having to open it up and disconnect the wiring each time. Currently, it uses a standard coupling conduit fitting.
I was considering replacing it with a weatherproof, aviation-style “plug-and-play” connector to make removal and reinstallation easier.
Has anyone implemented a solution like this, or found a reliable connector setup that works well in this context (weatherproof, 15A rated on each pole)?
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This is the old pump with the broken connector:
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1747058446031.png

Struggling to Clean Fine Dirt/Sand from Pool Floor – Better Options?

The pool was originally built with a pressure-side cleaner system. There are 5 jets in the pool — 4 are connected to the filter return, and the 5th appears to be a dedicated return line likely used with a pressure cleaner.
At some point, a corded robotic cleaner (Polaris P945) replaced that setup. However, I'm not getting good cleaning performance. The robot seems to miss dirt — it looks like the debris just settles back to the floor the next day.
I’ve also used the 5th jet in the past to vacuum debris straight out of the pool (to waste), but the water drains too quickly, and the hose often blows off or breaks due to pressure, even with strong clamps.
Now, I’m questioning whether my filter system is working correctly. The water is cloudy even though pool chemistry is in range. Fine dirt reappears on the floor a day after cleaning. It makes me wonder if:
  • My cartridges are damaged or bypassing dirt somehow.
  • There may be a leak or internal failure in the filter housing.
I’d love advice on:
  • How to test the filter to see if it’s working properly (before replacing cartridges or the whole unit).
  • Whether I should consider re-activating the pressure-side cleaner line with the right equipment.
  • The best way to vacuum to waste without draining too much water or breaking hoses.
Thanks in advance — I really want to get this pool back in shape as I've struggled with the dirt on the floor every year. I replaced the cartridges in 2023. I clean them once a month using the garden hose.

Please recommend a VS Pump best suited for my config

The Calimar pump is almost exclusively sold by Pool Supply Unlimited. Look for the "parts available" link to view which parts are available, and scroll down to related items to find the automation adapter.

The automation adapter aloows the use of third-party automation controllers to provide of pump speeds via relays.

Dead or Mustard Algae

I’m having issues getting rid of what’s in the bottom of my pool since I opened it up this year. I’ve read articles but I cannot figure out what it is. So I’m looking for help. Is this Dead Algae or Mustard Algae? How do I know?

Also how do I get rid of it. I’ve used a robot with a fine filter. I’ve added some DE to my Sand Filter. I did a SLAM for 25 hours. I can’t get rid of it and it’s annoying. Thanks.

FC - 8.0
CC - 0.0
PH - 7.4
CYA - 30
TA - 80
CH - 220

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On my 7th Pentair Intellichlor in less than a year

Chris,

Until recently I had three saltwater pools that all had IntelliChlor SWCGs.. I had the pools for well over 12 years, so I have been through a few cells.

Not one of them lasted less than 5 years, most died at about 7 years with one lasting for almost 9 years.

I say this because something it wrong... I have no idea what, but 7 cells in less than a year, just make no sense at all..

Tell us how the cell is powered.. Do you have an EasyTouch with an Internal power supply or do you have an External Power Center?

Has the power center been replaced or tested?

Have you been cleaning your cell with full strength Muriatic Acid?

Does you cell quickly fill up with calcium?

Do you have an acid feeder?

What chemicals do you use to maintain your pH?

Tell us more about what is going on?

I can understand how it is possible to have a 'bad' cell.. but it is impossible to have 7 bad cells..

Thanks,

Jim R.
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Is it worth buying a large container of R-0870?

I test almost daily for FC, but I find the R-0870 powder doesn't keep well. I'm thinking of buying a 16 oz. size and refilling the kit as needed. Is that worth it, or will it go bad? I try to be careful with moisture, but I guess I'm not careful enough. Also, how do you keep the scoop clean? It gets all gunked up. Do you wash it and dry it well before putting it back in the kit? Any suggestions for keeping the moisture out? I've read a few posts about using one of those silicone pouches taped to the lid, doing the test indoors (away from humidity), etc. What works, and most importantly, should I buy the 16 oz. size?
My 2 cents...

After looking at prices of the smaller containers compared to the larger ones, I took a risk nearly 4 years ago and bought .25lb R0870 powder and 16 oz. R0871 reagent. I shared some with my F.I.L. and have been using the reagents since. I didn't expect to use it for more than a couple years, but there was still value in the purchase of the larger sizes. I have purchased a couple of TF-100 refill kits since then and have compared the results to the fresh reagents. I'm still getting expected results. I always have fresh clean white powder. I'm glad I made the purchase. I can test as frequently as I want and run my own experiments without the fear of running out of reagent. I keep the large containers of reagents in a dark dry indoor storage cabinet. YMMV
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On my 7th Pentair Intellichlor in less than a year

I am having issues with my Pentair intellichlor. The cell light keeps flashing green and it stops working. I had the intellichlor 20 and I upgraded to the intellichlor 40 thinking maybe I needed a bigger one. Now I just turned that on and it is flashing green to inspect the cell. I looked at the cell and it is clean inside. Also, my white fiberglass pool has a yellow stain in it. New to pools and not sure how to fix these issues

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