Calcium deposits all over pool

Team --

We have been fighting terrible plaster issues since the initial pour about two years ago. The PB (who also "maintains" the pool, for now) is currently unresponsive. Most recently, within the last year, we have had white deposits appear all over the pool - it looks like bird poop but its not. The PB had someone come out w/ a pumice stone and rub them off and they were back and worse within a week.

Can anything be done to clean this up or is this a full re-plaster situation?

Last two chemistry readings for reference:

Apr 3 2025
READINGS
3 ppm
chlorine
9.0 pH
90 ppm total alkalinity
60 ppm cyanuric acid
300 ppm calcium hardness
3200 ppm salt
25 % panel salt production (0-100%)
CHEMICALS ADDED
½ gal
pH ↓
6 lbs cyanuric acid

27 March 2025
READINGS
1 ppm
chlorine
7.8 pH
110 ppm total alkalinity
60 ppm cyanuric acid
3100 ppm salt
10 % panel salt production (0-100%)
CHEMICALS ADDED
½ gal
pH ↓

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Using water from cover

Sorry if this is a stupid question. We had an above ground pool installed last year. We drained the water past the skimmer and return hoses, detached all hoses and removed the filter in the fall before covering it. During the winter we’ve had a large accumulation of water on the cover. It looks pretty clear but there are decomposed leaves on the bottom so organic debris is present. Should we refill the water in the pool with fresh water or use the water from the cover? We live in an area where we pay a high price for water usage. I realize it will require extra chemicals if we use the water on the cover. What do most people do?

New pool owner here

Our new pool construction is complete (as of about 2 weeks ago) and our "pool guy" is coming out this afternoon for the standard tutorial. I've been lurking here for a while reading up on things to know ahead of our construction as well as during our construction, but I figured now that the pool is finished and the real fun is getting ready to start, I'd join in on the fun here. I've already learned a lot from this site, but hope to learn even more going forward.

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ScreenLogic Stopped Working

My ScreenLogic stopped working today. Sometimes the app shows the normal screen but with no values such as temperature and doesn't control anything. I'm unable to login to Configure ScreenLogic from my locally connected PC. Maybe a coincidence but my router was replaced today but all network connections and all devices are working properly except for ScreenLogic. The only thing I did during the router replacement was to unplug ScreenLogic. The new router is configured the same as the old. Sometimes after rebooting the router the ScreenLogic app will look normal with values but it won't control anything. The values shown are frozen are likely from the last time ScreenLogic worked.

I've cycled power many times on everything but no go. I've called Pentair Support but the rep was of no help. The red light is illuminated on the protocol converter and the green power light on ScreenLogic is flashing rapidly. The green power light under the hood on the receiver/transmitter outside is on.

Any suggestions?

Anyway to remotely control hayward Tristar VS900?

So I didn't want to spend the extra $3k for an omni pl system from Pool Builder. I was ok using my SWG app, and Wifi control for heater, and thought that would be good enough. Well, Now of course I want to be able to at least turn on and off, and see if if its actually on or off with some sort of aftermarket control. I don't NEED it, but it would be nice. I do have an old school intermatic control panel with timer, but that's basic obviously. I was looking at the Pentair EC-523317, but that seems like it wont work with a Hayward pump. Only option seems like the omni PL system, which I am not about to install. Its not the end of the world, just looking for a reasonable way of adding automation to the pump.

Latest value in SWG for AGP

I am starting my 6th year here with a 21k 30’ pool. I originally had a saltron retro system, and I think I have replaced a power supply once, and the salt cell twice, and now it appears the salt cell needs replacing.
For $399-$499 for the whole system, but only about $200-299 for replacement parts - it think it has served me decently.
I was going to turn around and by another - but wanted to check with this group and see if anything new is more economical. As always, thanks for your suggestions!

Tale of a Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus

I have been a pool owner since 2019. I have opened / closed and done the weekly chemistry on my pool on my own. I got all my info from friends with pools and the pool store prior to me finding this place and getting super dialed in.

I purchased my Dolphin Nautilus CC plus summer of 2019. And for perspective I have my pool open mid April -mid September. I open my pool and scoop all I can with my net and then run the robot with standard filters 3x and switch over to fine filters and run until the filters come back clean. I’d say 5-7 cycles get me there. After the opening I run the robot every Saturday and Sunday early AM so the pool is perfect for when the family wakes. That’s it. So it is 40 cycles per regular season and maybe 10 on opening. So approximately 50 cycles per season.

I never leave the robot in the pool much past the end of the cycle. I always take the hose and rinse the filters, filter housings robot and cord every time. I take the propeller cover off monthly to clean in there but I hose the top each time , bottom, climb wheels tread, every opening and sides each time. I hose off the swivel and 2 blue floats.

When I wind up the cords I lay it out flat and coil it. If I get resistance I don’t force it. I lay coil down and get the kinks out of the rest of the cord and continue. I store the robot on a Maytronics caddy in my garage.

So why do I tell you this ? I hate to say it out loud bc it ensures a problem is headed my way but I think my OCD maintenance routine which took me longer to write bc it only takes a few extra minutes to do, saves me $ by keeping my Robot healthy and running.

Shared for others who have issues with current robots to consider with their new equipment. IMG_3610.jpeg

Good luck and happy auto pool cleaning to all of us.
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New Liner ripping from bead lock area.

I am needing advice on if i can even repair this liner or if i just need to replace it. It's brand new installed around September. Im not even sure what caused it. I did find a dead possum floating in my pool so maybe it could've ripped the liner trying to escape but i don't see any scratch marks or punctures near the rip. I do think that the side the tears are on is in the side i felt i had to stretch the liner more because it was a little deeper on that side. When i do another liner in getting rid of the foam coves and going to go with sand coves. Any advice for this newbie would definitely help. 1000002308.jpg

Air bubbles from one return

Hi all -
Was working on the pool this weekend and one of the things I did was pull my IC-40 and acid wash it. It wasn't bad but had quite a bit of pollen that made it past the filter in there. It cleaned up well and after I put it all back together I had a small drip on the pool side of the SWCG at the union. I pulled it off again, pulled, cleaned and lubed the o-rings and I think I've got the leak stopped. All that said, I now notice a steady stream of bubbles from one of my returns. I wouldn't think a small leak on the pressure side would cause air but other than that I don't notice anything wrong. Pool is full to half way up the skimmer (not sucking air), filter baskets are clean and only a tiny little bubble hanging out at the top of the pump basket. Any clue what to start looking at? Here's a pic of my pump setup and one of the leak (zoom in on the palm tree reflection and you can see the bubbles):
AirBubbles.jpg
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Check Flow Error / Red Light Blinking

Hello, The annoying red light is blinking. Usually this stops after cleaning the filters or putting in the adequate chemicals ie salt. I checked all the filters (3 of them) and they are all clean. The tri flow sensor has been replaced about two years ago and the cell about two years. I noticed that the computer is reading 0 volts (11.4 amps) on the cell? May be the cable to the cell?Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you

Jandy valve is slow/unreliable

I’ve recently started having issues switching to spa mode on my pool. When I switch to spa mode the return valve is slow to respond. The intake valve starts moving immediately but the return valve is delayed. Sometimes it’s just a few seconds but other times it’s minutes. A couple of time I turned on spa mode only to go out later and find my spa was half empty before the valve finally switched. Any suggestions? Jandy automation system. I’ll attach an image of the valve.

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Need Help with Pentair IC40 SWG

Hello everyone, I have recently had my pool servicer install a SWG and I am curious how to read/interpret what's going on with the IC40.

For reference, here is how my system is plumbed:

Pool Water Return -> Pump -> Filter -> Heater -> Check Valve -> IC40 SWG -> Pool Water Send

Note: At Pool Water Return I have 3-way valve that will turn this into Spa Water Return; the same situation at Pool Water Send, I have a 3-way valve that will this into Spa Water Send.

Questions:


1. My servicer installed the SWG downstream of the heater, which I believe is the correction orientation. This prevents highly concentrated salt water generator outputs from entering directly into the heating elements in the heater and prolongs the life of the heater. Is this correct?

2. My servicer installed a 1-way spring door check valve that allows flow from the heater through the IC40 SWG, but stops reverse flow. This is also to keep highly concentrated salt water generator outputs from entering the heater via backflow. Is this correct?

I have my pump set to 2 different schedules. 0800-1100 @2800RPM and 1100-1600 @1500RPM. Other than those schedules, the pump is off. When the pump is running at 2800RPM the IC40 seems to be running okay with all lights/functions working normally and the check valve is open a good amount, letting me know visually that water is flowing through the system appropriately.

3. At 1500RPM, the check valve is not fully open but water seems to be flowing since I see bubbles at the top of the check valve window. The IC40 has a red light for flow, meaning that the IC40 isn't receiving enough water to flow appropriately. Is this situation okay for 1100-1600 @1500RPM? Any adjustments needed?

4. When the pump is fully off, the IC40 has flashing red and green lights in the Salt Level readout section. But the pool has been verified to have appropriate salt content. Is this okay? Or should the pump be running to provide flow at all times?

5. The IC40 seems to be performing and doing its job when the pump is running the 0800-1100 @2800RPM schedule. Will 3 hours per day of appropriate function be enough to keep the pool in check?

I am new to the homeowner and pool life. Any tips or help is appreciated. I've lurked this forum a little bit and happy to be a member now!

Leaking after new motor, seal plate, shaft seal

Installed a new evo vgreen variable speed motor with a new seal plate (that came with shaft seal pre-installed). The pump is a whisperflo .75 (WFE-3).

It's leaking bad from the connection between motor and seal plate. Photo attached - water is pouring out where the arrow points.

Replace shaft seal?

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New Pebble Sheen and start up NOW

Hi - Just had new Pebble Sheen installed. The manufacturers start up procedure says to lower the TA to 80 - 100 (ours is currently at 120) before lowering the PH. Our PH is off the charts and cannot be measured. I used Pool Math to see how much acid I should add to lower the TA but it doesn't calculate and just says to lower the PH first.

Pool Math says to add 96 oz of acid to get the PH in balance. Just seems so much so am going to start slower with maybe 32 oz. Of course the pool start up company my plasterer hired has not done anything except dump in some sequestering agent (which I don't use anyway) so I am taking back control of this.

The manufactuer says to pre-dilute the acid in a 5 gallon bucket but doesn't say how to disperse. Should I evenly distribute it around the pool instead of just dumping it all in front of a jet. Any opinions are appreciated. Thank you.

The more you know: Pool Cleaner Attack!

Hey all, just to share as unfortunately the camera wasn't recording at the time.

I looked out the other day while Mr. Flowboto, our Polaris pressure side cleaner, was running. A big ripple was on the surface everywhere he went, and when I looked, I must not have gotten the bag on tight as it was mostly caught up in his wheel and all the flow was just pushing debris up to the surface. In a hurry to get to school carpool, I pulled the hose over to reattach it and wasn't thinking. Pulled him out of the water and, forgetting how he actually works, (insert America's Funniest Home Video here of a guy looking into the hose waiting for the water to come out) I got a violent and aggressive sinus wash / neti pot, my hat blown off into the landscaping, and just barely escaped a salty emergency eye wash as well.

Anyway, they're cute, they work hard, but know they are hiding in plain sight (just below the surface 🥁) to attack!

Over flow pop up drain?

How complicated is it to install a pool overflow drain. From what I have seen, you install a little grate next to the skimmer and run a pipe from that to the curb where the pop up drain will be. I am only doing this because my HOA requires it. My plumber is saying it is an additional 2k, but I already have existing French drains with a pop up at the street as well. Would it really be 2k? Or is it as simple as either running a pipe to the curb or tapping into the existing lines from the French drain?

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Sizing Flagstone for Loveseat Grotto

Finishing final phase of construction on a chlorine gunite pool with loveseat grotto water feature. Need some help please selecting the right thickness of slab to span this bonded beam loveseat. Wanting to use oklahoma flagstone to match the coping. Max distance at the widest point is 7’. Local stone supply has slabs from 1” up to 8” or thicker. Don’t want to go too thin and risk cracking the slab (on top of someone’s head potentially), don’t want to go too thick and risk cracking the gunite. Anyone have experience sizing a grotto waterfall slab?
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Weir door skimmer round cover flappy thing missing

Rectangular outside and round inside.
Never had a basket or weir door.

I think i remember previous owner mentioning something about a round cover to seperate skimmer from pool.

Our pool pad has only one pipe in from pool. We don't have a diverter to choose drain or skimmer. When the pump is running it seems to suck from the suction line (makes sense).

Is there a round plate cover thing that forces water into the suction line from the main drain? Or how do i get that circulation from main drain moving?

And . Any idea on weir door setup based on my photos, or is that even needed?

Thanks bunches

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new pool build

new member here, going through pool quotes at this time. Looking at a 15 by 30 pool 3 feet to 6 feet deep. Choices of equipment are pentair or jandy. Also, have a hot tub going in that is 8 by 8 and a sunshelf with bubbler. Can any experts here point me in the right direction for pool equipment. I do not want to be underpowered or have issues running pool cleaner. I am leaning towards cartridge filter, intelliflow variable pool pump, any suggestions would be appreciated since this is not my expertise. I just want clear water and good engineering with equipment that works well with good design. thanks in advance.

Trying to set up my Jandy ePump speeds

I bought a house in November and just opened the pool and have not had one before. The previous owner's settings are no longer available so I am attempting to set up the epump speeds myself. My pump is a jandy epump vsfhp165qut and the heater is a jandy jxi260n. I think I have 2 inch pipes with 3 incoming and 2 returns. Images are included.

Everything is controlled through iAquaLink so need to figure out what speeds to program for when heater is on vs not on.

~23000 gallon 40x20 salt water pool.

Any help is very much appreciated

23k gal IG vinal salt water pool, Jandy VSFloPro pump, JXi Heater, Sand Filter, IAquaLink automation, Test with a combination of TF-Pro Salt and Leslie's..

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Cloudy, water says balanced, even passed OCLT? Does CH matter for AGP?

I have an above ground pool. These are my current readings.

Fc 3.8
Cc .4
Ch 60
Ph 7.4
Ta 100
Cya 90

I am not losing chlorine overnight, possibly because my CYA is so high? Idk, at a loss for the first time in years. From everything I can tell over the past 12 years of having this pool CH is the only thing I normally ignore. There does seem to be a bit of some left over “something” organic in the bottom that I have not been able to get to, bc it is too cold for me to willingly get in and vacuum. Hopefully that is why it is still cloudy?

Filter