Snoo's 1st close: inground, vinyl, sand filter

Question, my pool company installed a chlorinator last year. I hooked the chlorinator up this year but I don't use pucks. It was just a bypass to fill the spot. Are there plugs I can get to fix this? 1D1D4D75-6451-4791-BE5D-5000C74EE7AA.jpeg3A4B2016-C20E-4EC2-8E07-F52B21A47CF3.jpeg
 
Are there plugs I can get to fix this?
Does this part unscrew ?
Screenshot_20220929-152435_Chrome.jpg

If so, take it to the hardware store or plumbing supply and ask them for a cap for the pipe side.

It would also be fairly cheap and easy to just replace the pipe from pump to filter.
 
1. Drop ph to 7.2.
2. Slam pool.
3. Backwash, rinse. Then drop water to just below returns using submersible pump.
3a. Set the filter to recirculate.
4. Remove plugs from pump & sand filter and allow to drain.
5. Take out pump basket. Keep lid off.
6. Remove skimmer basket.
7. Hook up the cyclone to the skimmer.
8. Close all valves and blow out through pump? Blow the line. Turn off cyclone.
8a. Put lid back on pump.
9. Open line to main drains (we have 2). Blow the line until bubbles come from main drains. Turn off cyclone. Turn off valve to main drains.
10. Open skimmer valve.
11. Open valves to return lines (we have 2). Blow the line. Temporarily close closest return line. Keep blowing the line. Pour antifreeze into both returns. Cap them. Turn off valves to return lines.
12. Open valves to fountains (we have 3). blow the lines. Open just the closest fountain, blow the line. Open the middle fountain, blow the line. Open the furthest fountain, blow the line. Take top off fountains, pour antifreeze down all 3. Put tops back on. Turn off valves to fountains.
13. Open valve to slide. Blow the line. Not sure how I get antifreeze into this line.
14. Scoop out any remaining debris.
15. Put pump plugs & filter plugs into empty pump basket.
16. Turn off power to pool via breaker.
17. Raise anchors and secure cover.
18. Make donation to TFP.
19. Go drink and hope your pool doesn't explode over winter.
20. Omg why is this so scary.

Cyclone arrives Oct 7-13th. I will be in full panic mode once it gets here. lol.
 
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I guess I'm confused. If I blow through the skimmer, the skimmer will be the last thing closed...

Or do I blow through the pump? Or both? How do I hook up the cyclone to the pump?
 
It's pretty good so far.

You want the drain plugs in for blowing or else the system becomes a flute with valuable air pressure escaping several places. Once blown, then remove the drain plugs for the pump / filter/ heater to drain any residuals.

When you start at the skimmer, turn off everything but the drains. Once air is flowing out the bottom, close the drain valve to air lock it (with the cyclone still blowing). Then cycle though the others one at a time until they are all empty too. Add 1/2 gallon to a gallon at each cleanout at the pad, and cap/gizmo all the pool side openings.

Remove drain plugs just in case any water gets in the equipment over the winter. Put them in a zip lock baggie inside the pump basket, inside the pump so you'll know where they are in the spring.

Putting the cover on is easier than taking it off because it's easier to get the tool in there. Start with the corners and stairs and then go around the pool securing 2 opposite anchors at a time. Do the halfway ones first, then half the halfs that are left and so on. I stick the tool through the spring with the spring about a foot high. Secure the tool end to the anchor, and step on the spring as you move the lever away from the pool. The spring should snap down and land on the anchor pretty easy, but some of them are stubborn and take a few tries.

When it's time to open, it'll be your 3rd rodeo and you'll long be a pro at it. (y)
 
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Ordered the cyclone! My pool category in ynab is crying!!! Can you hear it? It will be happy next year though!
I TOTALLY understand this!!! I have gotten my pool budget down from about $1200 a year to maybe $150. This is due to opening and closing myself and using "chemicals" like baking soda, borax, MA, andcalcium chloride. The only real chemical I buy is CYA. The value of the cyclone will be realized soon.
 
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Question. Instead of using submersible pump, could I shut off valve to skimmer and shut off valve to returns and use main drains to waste to drop the pool water below returns?
 
You can if you watch the pump to ensure it stays primed. At some point, it will run dry due to having to overcome gravity. The higher the pad and the lower the pool, the closer you play with fire. So without being there ourselves to monitor, we don't reccomend people risk a several thousand dollar pump when it's just as easy to throw the cheap submersible in at dinner the night before and stop it at bedtime. (Or whatevs time/schedule differences).

But if you will be out there keeping an eye on the pump, or it's abundant discharge, you may use it. This goes for every occurrence. Because it worked the last 3 times does not mean you can let it go next time. :)

I use mine to drain, and multitask setting everything else up while I am nearby still paying attention to the pump.
 
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We're closing the pool Sunday! Also stores are all sold out of pool shock and I'm stuck buying low concentrate bleach.

Our autocover broke what a month or so ago. The pool company came out, couldn't figure it out. Then the pool company came out with a guy from Coverstar. They said it was a defect so we get a new motor next spring. The wind has been crazy and is blowing leaves into the pool. It's brutal. I'm going to have to slam the pool in the spring. Ugh.

I really need to suck it up and get an swcg. Need to add a new ynab line... 😬
 
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So far we've:

1. Dropped the pH.
2. Slam.
3. Backwashed, Rinsed.
4. Set filter to recirculate.
5. Pump is draining the pool right now. We'll see how long this takes. Removed hand rails. Wait. Wait. Wait.
 
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