Brand New Water

[GinaLovesSummer]

Okay so this makes my third year with a pool. First year was a super fly hot mess because I was "pool stored" in the beginning and solely chlorinated with pucks and I had stock equipment. Naturally this raised my CYA through the roof and my circulation was terrible. Finally got my CYA down to 60 which was manageable but obviously not ideal. Year two I upgraded all equipment and kept the same water. This brings us to year three where I am finally doing a full water replacement so that I can fix some ground work underneath. Should I shoot for a 30 for my CYA or go for a 40 so that I can allow for a little backwashing? I'm totally geeking out over the fact that I can finally pick my number and am super excited that this year will be all under my control with everything I have learned here! I am definitely going to do the sock method in the skimmer basket. Also while I am waiting for the CYA to dissolve how often would you recommend I check my chlorine levels since the sun will burn off the chlorine faster? Thanks so much in advance!

 

[Oly]

I imagine the sun in TX is intense and could impact your FC if CYA is kept at 30 or below, resulting in higher chlorine costs. That said I like having a bit of wiggle room and being able to use trichlor pucks if away for vacation and not have the CYA get too high so consider that option. We have quite a bit so sun here and I did notice a reduction in daily FC loss when I increased CYA from 30 to 40. The beauty of the TFP method is you are in control and can easily estimate and reach your target with measured additions then confirm the change with proper water testing. I would caution you to go slow with CYA additions as it dissolves slowly and is easy to over dose if you are not patient. Also the sock should be in front of the return outlet not in the skimmer. Check your FC once a day until you learn your system. Check before sun up and after sun down to distinguish FC loss from the sun verses overnight FC loss due to contaminants. Information is power.

 

[DeanP66]

I agree with Oly above. If you are in a hot part of Texas, I would even consider running your CYA at 50. Otherwise your daily FC burnoff will put you in jeopardy of being below your minimum, which you don't want. You will have to be very vigilant to not let your FC drop below the minimum. At CYA 50, that would be FC 4 with it being dosed to the 6-8 range.

 

[GinaLovesSummer]

Perfect! Thank you both so much! Very wise advise and thank you for explaining your reasoning.

 

[cmiller73]

Also the sock should be in front of the return outlet not in the skimmer.

Is the adding of CYA inside the pool as you put it better than what "Pool School" suggests?
"Solid stabilizer is best added by placing it in a sock in the skimmer basket."

 

[Richard320]

Is the adding of CYA inside the pool as you put it better than what "Pool School" suggests?
"Solid stabilizer is best added by placing it in a sock in the skimmer basket."

Either works. Some above ground pools have no skimmer basket. The important thing is that you don't pour the granules into the filter, where it can clog things, nor directly into the pool, where they'll sit on the floor and burn freckles.

 

[cmiller73]

Either works. Some above ground pools have no skimmer basket. The important thing is that you don't pour the granules into the filter, where it can clog things, nor directly into the pool, where they'll sit on the floor and burn freckles.

I usually get an old sock and sit it in the skimmer basket.

 

[peirek]

I put mine in a sock and hang it out over a pool return. Either way works fine. Squeezing the sock every so often will speed up the dissolving process. I generally start with 1/2 what PoolMath tells me and when fully dissolved wait 24+ hours and measure. Then add more if needed. Bottom line is crawl up to your desired level as overshooting is not optimum.

 

[GinaLovesSummer]

I agree about being cautious with how much I am adding. I will definitely be going with the less is more approach and then just test to see where I am.