"winter" settings for pool and attached spa

[poolnoobgrandma]

OK, it's become clear that we 1) don't want to pay to heat the whole pool very often, and 2) DO want to use the spa as long as air temps are not too cold. With that, I've set the valves so that when the main pool filter is running it does NOT send water into the spa.
The plan is to heat the spa when we are going to use it, and keep it covered (blue bubble "solar cover that float on top) so that it loses heat less quickly.
We have a 2 speed pump.
I've set the timer to run on low for 4 hours a day for the pool (with SWG at 100%), and 4 hours a day spa only (I set the SWG for the spa at 20%). The spa timer is set for when we would normally start heating and using the pool in the evenings.
I'm going to watch today and see if my settings work in terms of the water going where we want it, when we want it, and I'll start adjusting SWG settings for the spa after that.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Jimrahbe]

ma,

The only problem I see, if I understand your set up, is that you will never refresh the water in the spa.. Most spas spillover into the pool and this replaces the water on a routine basis.. If you don't do this, the water in a small body will get stale pretty soon... As long as you test your spa water on a regular basis and make sure your FC and CC's stay in check you will be OK. I suspect that keeping the cover on all the time will drive the CC's up pretty quickly.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[poolnoobgrandma]

ma,

The only problem I see, if I understand your set up, is that you will never refresh the water in the spa.. Most spas spillover into the pool and this replaces the water on a routine basis.. If you don't do this, the water in a small body will get stale pretty soon... As long as you test your spa water on a regular basis and make sure your FC and CC's stay in check you will be OK. I suspect that keeping the cover on all the time will drive the CC's up pretty quickly.

Thanks,

Jim R.

That makes sense. I can recirculate the whole thing every few weeks.. I just hate heating the spa on Saturday night, then mixing it with the cold pool water, then reheating it Sunday night....

 

[poolnoobgrandma]

ma,

The only problem I see, if I understand your set up, is that you will never refresh the water in the spa.. Most spas spillover into the pool and this replaces the water on a routine basis.. If you don't do this, the water in a small body will get stale pretty soon... As long as you test your spa water on a regular basis and make sure your FC and CC's stay in check you will be OK. I suspect that keeping the cover on all the time will drive the CC's up pretty quickly.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Chlorine and pH levels maintained at the same level as the pool?

 

[ajw22]

Chlorine and pH levels maintained at the same level as the pool?

Yes.

Preparing Pool for Cooler Months - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Jimrahbe]

ma,

I have a standalone spa and one of the ways I can tell it is time to drain and start over is when I can no longer keep my CC's under 1.5 ppm

Since you won't be running the spillover, I'd keep a close watch on the CC level.. I'd also take the cover off two or three times a week for an hour or so.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[poolnoobgrandma]

I've been running them separately for the week to gauge the chems. Both pool and spa needed acid, but in different amounts, and while both had high chlorine levels, the spa was higher. Since they are both the same temp right now, to keep it simple, I "rejoined" them, (turned the valve) started running the pump/filter, added acid to the pool, and will turn it off in an hour or so so that the chem levels are similar in pool and spa. Then I'll separate them and start heating the spa for tonight.
I'll probably turn down the spa and pool daily runtime to cut down on the amount of chlorine being generated, but slowly - I cut back to quickly once before and had to SLAM.

 

[poolnoobgrandma]

I've been running them separately for the week to gauge the chems. Both pool and spa needed acid, but in different amounts, and while both had high chlorine levels, the spa was higher. Since they are both the same temp right now, to keep it simple, I "rejoined" them, (turned the valve) started running the pump/filter, added acid to the pool, and will turn it off in an hour or so so that the chem levels are similar in pool and spa. Then I'll separate them and start heating the spa for tonight.
I'll probably turn down the spa and pool daily runtime to cut down on the amount of chlorine being generated, but slowly - I cut back to quickly once before and had to SLAM.

I've been reading about Ahhsome.. As long as my levels are good and I remix the whole pool and spa together every week or two, I shouldn't have to use anything like that, right?

 

[ajw22]

I've been reading about Ahhsome.. As long as my levels are good and I remix the whole pool and spa together every week or two, I shouldn't have to use anything like that, right?

You don't use Ahhsome in an outdoor spa like you have. It is for standalone spas and tubs.