New pool owner has questions please

[Kaylee34]

Hello all!
Brushed and deleafed the pool today. While I’m patiently waiting on my T-what-ever-it-is-XL test kit to arrive, I thought I’d do a little checking out of what else I might need to get.

A little help please from the experts and TIA for answering my silly questions.

One of the screw in jet nozzle thingies is missing from the inside wall of the pool. I have four of those I think and one skimmer. Is the nozzle thing something I can get at the pool store and if so how do I measure it to make sure I get the right one?

Is there a right way to turn them to have the water flowing in the pool properly? One of them is behind the ladder in the deep end and I have that one turned so it’s blowing down and not going straight into a step. That seemed like it was defeating the purpose.

Also, I’d love some recommendations for a big leaf net and pole to fetch leaves off the bottom. It’s a deep pool, at least 8 feet and reaching the ones in the middle of the deep end by the drain is hard with the pole I have now. The net itself works ok but I’m down for something better. I’ve got big leaves, tiny leaves and everything in between.

Should I worry about tearing the vinyl liner with the net? It’s pretty hard to drag the bottom where the deep end is making that V shape and I’m afraid to snag or tear something. I don’t want leaks!

Is it OK if I brush the steps with a nylon scrub brush? Like one of the long handled white ones you use for car rims? I think they’re fiberglass steps.

Would it be OK if I pulled the ladder out for the winter? If I do, do I need to put anything in the holes in the concrete to cover them up?

Do I need a thermometer? The pool isn’t heated and I’m not down for a polar plunge so unless I need one, the pool can just be “ok that’s COLD! and I’m not getting in there!”

I have some green algae on the sides and bottom but not much doing there until my test kit arrives except keep the leaves out best I can and brush. I can see the bottom easily and the water isn’t horribly icky. The kit here is old, only does 2 things and has no directions so water quality is guesswork ATM.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Newdude]

Hey Kaylee and Welcome !!

Is the nozzle thing something I can get at the pool store and if so how do I measure it to make sure I get the right one?

Unscrew a different one and bring it to the pool store. If it looks like this one it’s actually 3 pieces. The collar that screws into the pipe, the eyeball and the front cover. https://www.amazon.com/Hayward-SP14...ocphy=9004557&hvtargid=pla-319286890440&psc=1

s there a right way to turn them to have the water flowing in the pool properly?

all trial and error to get the best surface movement. Typically you want them to barely break the surface, But not throw a rooster tail across the pool. -/+ an inch of pool water can make a huge difference with the same returns, so over time you’ll just know by glancing if you have too much or not enough disturbance.

Also, I’d love some recommendations for a big leaf net and pole to fetch leaves off the bottom

This is the cadillac of pool poles, but even at 16 ft it may be difficult to get the dead center of your pool from the deck. https://www.amazon.com/ProTuff-Ulti...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Any old net will work. I liked the tennis racquet stile. Some folks like the bag like ones. They are cheap to buy both and see what you prefer.

Should I worry about tearing the vinyl liner with the net?

Feel the edges before each use to ensure they are smooth. After that, you would have to try your hardest to make damage, so don’t go out of your way to stab the pool anywhere and you’ll be fine.

Is it OK if I brush the steps with a nylon scrub brush? Like one of the long handled white ones you use for car rims? I think they’re fiberglass steps

If the steps are plastic/acrylic like, they are all but indestructible. Brush them with anything that isn’t metal wires because the steps can be scratched. I used the plain old pool brush and pole for my steps. After buying many brushes, I found the ones at Costco/BJs were much better quality than the ones everywhere else.

Would it be OK if I pulled the ladder out for the winter

Yup. Each leg should have an adjustment bolt under the trim piece. Don’t take it out but give it one full turn to loosen it and the ladder pops up to come out. Possibly by considerable force if it’s welded itself in there with dirt/debris

do I need to put anything in the holes in the concrete to cover them up?

I covered mine with a small piece of sheet metal (plexiglass would work too) secured to the patio with Gorilla tape. It deflected rainwater away from the hole, but you probably don’t freeze as much as I did so that’s less concern. Still though. You probably don’t want them full of water and stagnant either. Meh. Up to you.

Do I need a thermometer? The pool isn’t heated and I’m not down for a polar plunge so unless I need one, the pool can just be “ok that’s COLD! and I’m not getting in there

‘, THATS cold!!!!’ is an internationally acceptable unit of measurement. Most of the pool thermometers are junk anyway so buy the cheapest one you can find and expect it to need replacing every year. Plus, next year the polar bear looking one will be adorable and you’ll pitch this years stingray one. Look at the cute polar bear with a margarita !!!! Just LOOK !!

I have some green algae on the sides and bottom but not much doing there until my test kit arrives except keep the leaves out best I can and brush

Read up on the SLAM Process. Digest it. Read it again. Ask any questions at any time. We will happily fill in the blanks.

 

[Kaylee34]

Lol! Thank you!
I’m not smart enough to do the quote thing from my phone so bear with me.

The jet does look like that eyeball so I’ll take another one and go to Leslie’s. If they don’t have any I’ll hit up Amazon.

Glad I can’t tear anything up with the net! OMG the trees here are awful. I’m scooping bags full out every day. Definitely getting a better pole and a bigger net.

I have a big brush and a little brush but neither get the steps very well and the robot doesn’t do them at all so good to know. I’ll have at them with the tire brush.

No bolts on the ladder. It just pulls out. Do I need to add some bolts? Not like anyone is going to use the thing anytime soon so I’ll pull it and stuff it in the shed. I have some plexiglass in the garage I can cut and double stick tape over the holes. Great idea!

Is there anything I need to do to or check with the diving board?

Hahaha! with the polar bear! There WAS a flamingo tab floater (empty) in the pool when I took possession. That lasted all of an hour before the dog snatched it out and destroyed it. So no cute floating things for me!

Can’t wait til my test kit gets here. I’m not doing anything with the water until I can test it. Scoop, brush, filter and robot is keeping the water not horrible but I can’t imagine that will last long. If it was summer I’d probably have a stinking swamp by now.

I’m sure I probably have very little chlorine in there. Will it hurt to dump in a gallon of bleach once or twice a week until my test kit arrives?

I’m judiciously reading up on SLAM. I know that’s in the future. Reading up on everything else too.

Thank you!

 

[Kaylee34]

Been busy prepping for the inevitable SLAM.
Stopped at the pool store. Simply overwhelming. Left with nothing. They didn’t have eyeballs so ordered those from Amazon. Thank you for the link!
Picked up a long handled scrub brush for the steps. Picked up 3 cases of chlorinating liquid from Home Depot.
Now to fish for leaves again. I’ll save brushing until the pump kicks on later today and add a gallon of 7.5% bleach.

Is there any way I can tell if my drain at the bottom feeds the pump along with the skimmer short of jumping in there and seeing if there’s suction?

Thank you! I love this place already

 

[TampaKathy]

Post a few pictures of your equipment, maybe someone can answer your question based on that...and a picture of the pool may help. When I ordered the T-whatever-it-is , it came quick...like 2 days. There is so much information on this site, lots to learn!

 

[Kaylee34]

LOL! I’m spending too much time reading here already. I need to vacuum the house not the pool!

I’ll have to post up pics of the pool and equipment when I get a mid-day break at work. Not enough light out there otherwise.

Pool is still surprisingly clear until I brushed it. Then it got cloudy enough in the deep end I couldn’t see the drain easily anymore. A whiff of chlorine smell in the air when I brushed so I know there’s at least some in the water. About 8 bags of leaves scooped out again. I’ll be so glad when the trees are done dumping them. I need to drop the robot back in to get the smaller stuff but that requires monitoring and no time today.

Going to hold off on dumping in bleach until the kit arrives or someone says otherwise. Almost afraid to see what my CYA is. Oh well. Too much water in the pool anyway.

 

[Kaylee34]

It’s here! It’s here! The T-whatever-it-is is here! Yay!!! Now I can go play mad chemist!

 

[TampaKathy]

I have enjoyed playing mad chemist...I have all the chemicals set on a table in order that the info gets entered into pool math, lol.

 

[Kaylee34]

Ok I have to say I am SERIOUSLY IMPRESSED with this kit. I was surprised with the big flat package first off but when I opened it up and found this amazingly nice and neatly organized compartmented box, my first thought was wow! this is great! Second thought was that I’m stealing the Plano for my tackle box (I need another few) LOL!

Laminated directions! OMG! This is wonderful!! I can’t ruin them! And they were easy to follow! I read that great post someone made about how super stupid simple this is and they’re right. It really IS that easy. Just go step by step, do exactly what it tells you and you can’t go wrong.

If anyone balks about the cost, I have to say this is the best money I’ve spent thus far on this pool. I now know my pool’s water chemistry and it only took about 30 minutes to run the full battery of tests for a first timer.

Thank you! Thank you! for recommending a great product.

I’m so excited! Off to post water chems

 

[Kaylee34]

I have enjoyed playing mad chemist...I have all the chemicals set on a table in order that the info gets entered into pool math, lol.

If my phone will ever co-operate I’m going to subscribe to Poolmath. $8.00 a year is a no brainer.

I cheated, grabbed a Pyrex measuring cup, snagged my water and came back to the kitchen counter. LOL!

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

I cheated, grabbed a Pyrex measuring cup, snagged my water and came back to the kitchen counter. LOL!

You just broke Rule #3: No glass by the pool!

 

[Kaylee34]

I was quite surprised with a few and intend to repeat tomorrow to see what I get then. Listed in order I did them:

PH = 7.2
CYA = 30
TA = 40-50
Calcium = 350
FC = 4.5
CC = 0.5
Total chlorine = 5

CYA I’m calling 40 since you round up. Dot was barely visible at 40 and gone at 30.

PH I’ll repeat in a little while since the water was cold. I have some coming up to room temp.
I need to deleaf off the bottom again but it’s much, much better now. Lots of sand for the robot to get. Water is a little cloudy in the deep end IMO. Not as clear as it could be.

Also been reading up on SLAM and hidden algae. I suspect I may have some lurking in the drain at the bottom. I KNOW I have some in the threaded return fittings. They look gunky and the one I took out to see what I needed had green ick in it. All that cleaning is going to have to wait until the water warms up!

 

[TampaKathy]

I'm down to 5-6 minutes for the tests...but it helps that I have a pool bathroom that I've turned into my lab so I can just leave everything out on a table ready to go! But I sometimes have to re-do tests bc I've tried to go to fast

 

[ajw22]

PH test is not temperature sensitive. CYA test is.

Let the CYA test sample warm up to room temperature before adding reagent.

CYA Testing - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Kaylee34]

You just broke Rule #3: No glass by the pool!

No beer? :-( Bah!

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

No beer? :-( Bah!

Beer comes in cans. But if you drink too much beer at the pool, you risk breaking Rule #1.

 

[Kaylee34]

PH test is not temperature sensitive. CYA test is.

Let the CYA test sample warm up to room temperature before adding reagent.

CYA Testing - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

LOL! I’m a dork. I really should know better after years of keeping fish. Thank you!

 

[Kaylee34]

Beer comes in cans. But if you drink too much beer at the pool, you risk breaking Rule #1.

Oh Nooooo....!
I may have to rethink this rule thing.

 

[Kaylee34]

Rechecked CYA. Very, very little difference with the water warmed up but would call it 30 now. Updated the original tests.
Off to pool school!

 

[mknauss]

Rechecked CYA.

FYI == you should test your CYA in the bright sunshine with the sun to your back. But for now (winter), you can use the 30 ppm result you just got.

CYA - Cyanuric Acid Test

Cyanuric acid (CYA) is the chemical name for the product commonly called “pool water stabilizer” … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com