Get a pool they said. It’d be fun they said. What they didn’t say is that it’s expensive!! At $600-$900 to open a pool, and the same amount to close it; I lasted about one full season and I’m done. There’s a better way to do this right? So far this forum has convinced me I can do it myself.
What I’ve done/corrected so far:
1) I used cheap test strips last year. But I just ordered a LaMotte 7022 (on sale and cheaper than 2006c and TF100)
2) Sold my Polaris pressure side cleaner, and bought a Pentair 920 (S200 twin) as my Polaris wasn’t picking up what I was told was sand, which is normal from my filter. (I add DE though, do I still have sand?!) But as long as I brush the sand, and keep my Polaris running and pool circulating the sand shouldn’t be a problem. Except, my pool doesn’t have a booster pump. So to keep the Polaris running, I had to turn down or off several pressure returns, which also reduced my solar heating and circulation.
3) My sand forms a cloud when brushed. It also mostly forms on the shallow end by the steps and ledges - farthest away from the filter. This “sand” I fear may not be sand after all. I purchased approximately 6 gallons of bleach in preparation for a SLAM. (Also downloaded poolmath)
I also have an assortment of granules, tablets, algaecide, baking soda, and dry acid from last year. I read the blogs on opening and SLAM; but I’m still a little nervous about damaging something so wanted to do a sanity check.
Opening the pool:
1) Clear my mesh cover of debris. Unhook, fold, dry, and store.
2) Fill the pool to mid skimmer
3) Put skimmers back into place, remove plugs covering suction port in the skimmer.
4) Heres what I’m not clear on. What do i need to reconnect, and what other plugs should i check for? It’s an inground, I’m in a frost area, but it doesn’t look like anything else is disconnected or plugged up. Where should I look just in case I’m oblivious?
5) Do I just turn it on regardless of what it looks like? Will it damage the equipment? Or should I be trying to clear it up before it turns on.
Thank you in advance for helping me save some money and sanity!
What I’ve done/corrected so far:
1) I used cheap test strips last year. But I just ordered a LaMotte 7022 (on sale and cheaper than 2006c and TF100)
2) Sold my Polaris pressure side cleaner, and bought a Pentair 920 (S200 twin) as my Polaris wasn’t picking up what I was told was sand, which is normal from my filter. (I add DE though, do I still have sand?!) But as long as I brush the sand, and keep my Polaris running and pool circulating the sand shouldn’t be a problem. Except, my pool doesn’t have a booster pump. So to keep the Polaris running, I had to turn down or off several pressure returns, which also reduced my solar heating and circulation.
3) My sand forms a cloud when brushed. It also mostly forms on the shallow end by the steps and ledges - farthest away from the filter. This “sand” I fear may not be sand after all. I purchased approximately 6 gallons of bleach in preparation for a SLAM. (Also downloaded poolmath)
I also have an assortment of granules, tablets, algaecide, baking soda, and dry acid from last year. I read the blogs on opening and SLAM; but I’m still a little nervous about damaging something so wanted to do a sanity check.
Opening the pool:
1) Clear my mesh cover of debris. Unhook, fold, dry, and store.
2) Fill the pool to mid skimmer
3) Put skimmers back into place, remove plugs covering suction port in the skimmer.
4) Heres what I’m not clear on. What do i need to reconnect, and what other plugs should i check for? It’s an inground, I’m in a frost area, but it doesn’t look like anything else is disconnected or plugged up. Where should I look just in case I’m oblivious?
5) Do I just turn it on regardless of what it looks like? Will it damage the equipment? Or should I be trying to clear it up before it turns on.
Thank you in advance for helping me save some money and sanity!
