New to Pools. Very High CYA

[mgtfp]

One example of the "simple" pool store way is this: One week they tell you pH is high and to add lots and lots of acid. The next week they'll tell you that TA is low and to add lots and lots of Alkalinity Increaser (aka baking soda). And sometimes they'll tell you to add both at the same time.

There are two explanations for these recommendations:
1) not understanding pool chemistry
2) a business model to get customers back in the store

Both are not exactly flattering for a pool "professional".

 

[Padle]

I consider myself lucky then for finding this website before I had issues. Im not sure why I decided to trust TFP vs all the other "pool schools" out there, but something must have registered that this looks like the real deal.

I even checked reddit to see if anyone had anything bad to say about TFP and I could not find anything of substance.

Thanks for keeping me from getting pool stored

 

[PoolStored]

I consider myself lucky then for finding this website before I had issues. Im not sure why I decided to trust TFP vs all the other "pool schools" out there, but something must have registered that this looks like the real deal.

I even checked reddit to see if anyone had anything bad to say about TFP and I could not find anything of substance.

Thanks for keeping me from getting pool stored

I got A+'s in Chemistry in HS and college. I figured I could figure it out. Couldn't find any of the ACTUAL pool chemistry anywhere else.

This is the thread that sealed the deal for me, in particular #2...the foundation for TFP:

Pool Water Chemistry

This thread presents my findings so far on pool water chemistry including the following: More Accurate Calcite Saturation Index (CSI) to replace Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) Calculation of ppm HOCl (disinfecting chlorine) at various levels of Total Free Chlorine (FC) and Cyanuric Acid (CYA)...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Newdude]

I consider myself lucky then for finding this website before I had issues

The lucky ones get here before they've been through the ringer. In no time flat, they see tons of folks who weren't so lucky. Hang out and see.

Also remember, we have nothing to sell you but goodwill. The others have their own interests clouding the advice.

 

[Padle]

Does lowering my PH by any amount, also lower the TA (say going from 8 to 7.5) or do I have to lower to 7 or 7.2?

 

[mgtfp]

Yes, any acid addition reduces TA, but the effect of small additions is often not noticeable. Each 45oz will reduce TA by 10ppm in your 17100 gal pool. You can calculate that with Effects of Adding in PoolMath.

 

[Padle]

What happens if I don't brush my pool, will it just be dirtier or will it have long term bad effects?

Also anyone have any ideas to make skimming the top of the pool easier? Are there any gadgets out there that work?

My pool has no cage, so it's constantly getting little stuff in it on the top, and my pool pumps seems to be pulling water 95 percent from the pool vaccum not the skimmer.

 

[PoolStored]

What happens if I don't brush my pool, will it just be dirtier or will it have long term bad effects?

Pool Brushing - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Also anyone have any ideas to make skimming the top of the pool easier? Are there any gadgets out there that work?

I use these:


Some have bots like solar breeze or betta. Search the forum on these terms, seem to be mixed reviews and some specific applications that they work well for (pine needles if I remember correctly.

My pool has no cage, so it's constantly getting little stuff in it on the top, and my pool pumps seems to be pulling water 95 percent from the pool vaccum not the skimmer.

1) Get some hair nets like these and put them in the skimmer basket. https://www.amazon.com/Products-Disposable-Spun-Bonded-Polypropylene-Non-Woven/dp/B002XK2FS0
2) Make sure your water level is at 50% up the skimmer inlet rectangle. Add or remove water until you are at about 50%
3) Make sure your weir doors are in place and working. If you don't have weir doors, you will not get skimming action.
4) Adjust your valves so that it pulls more from the skimmers.

 

[mgtfp]

It also helps to orient the return jets in a way to setup a circular flow in the pool. Like that, debris gets past the skimmer, eventually.

 

[Padle]

Thanks so much! I guess theres so much about pools I don't know. I had to look up what a weir door is.

I definitely don't have one, but I have this plastic cover over the skimmer basket, is that useful for anything?

I did see two holes for where weir door pins should go, I guess I measure the width and order any weir door that fits that width?

A related question. Why the importance of having the pool exactly at 50 percent of the skimmer rectangle? It sounds like a lot to manage in the summer, keeping the pool exactly there (with all the rain)

 

[PoolStored]

Thanks so much! I guess theres so much about pools I don't know. I had to look up what a weir door is.

No worries, you have the collective of us that had to figure it out too.

I definitely don't have one, but I have this plastic cover over the skimmer basket, is that useful for anything?

You should remove that! Turn off pump and remove. It is for a suction side cleaner (you plug the cleaner into the hole).

I did see two holes for where weir door pins should go, I guess I measure the width and order any weir door that fits that width?

Look on the underside of the lid, likely have the skimmer model number...that will tell you the skimmer so you can get the right door.

A related question. Why the importance of having the pool exactly at 50 percent of the skimmer rectangle? It sounds like a lot to manage in the summer, keeping the pool exactly there (with all the rain)

That is the level they are designed to work. If mine gets to 60% my skimming is reduced. Get a cheap sump pump at big box and use it to drain. Super simple. I have a floatless sump pump with a 1 1/2" pvc extension (gets me above pool deck), then one of these on the end (link below). I keep the PVC attached to the pump and store it that way, drop it in, attach a backwash hose with a hose clamp and plug it in. I get about 1/4" per 10 minutes, so I eyeball it, turn it on, set a timer for the amount of time, come back remove the pump...good to go! Sump is an essential tool for pool maintenance. You can also get a sump that you can attach a garden hose, but it will take longer.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Aqua-EZ-Hose-Adapter/3151503

 

[Padle]

Odd they would have that, when there is a dedicated area for the pool vacuum?

As far as model numbers, nothing on the cover, on the skimmer basket it said B-136

But that's all I could find

 

[PoolStored]

Odd they would have that, when there is a dedicated area for the pool vacuum?

As far as model numbers, nothing on the cover, on the skimmer basket it said B-136

But that's all I could find

B-136 is an Aladdin skimmer basket. I would measure the skimmer opening, then search for that size "aladdin skimmer weir door X x/x." Where X is the inches and x/x is the incremental fraction. i.e. "7-5/8"

Not sure what "there is a dedicated area for the pool vacuum" means.

 

[Padle]

Not sure what "there is a dedicated area for the pool vacuum" means.

You said the plastic cover was for a suction side cleaner. I understood that (based on Google) to be the same thing as the pool vacuum (pool vacuum being the vacuum that is left in the pool all the time, and uses the pools regular pump to move around. Like a Hayword Navigator)

 

[PoolStored]

You said the plastic cover was for a suction side cleaner. I understood that (based on Google) to be the same thing as the pool vacuum (pool vacuum being the vacuum that is left in the pool all the time, and uses the pools regular pump to move around. Like a Hayword Navigator)

Yep! If you are not using the suction cleaner, you should remove that cover. You have only one skimmer if I understand correctly. When you are using the cleaner, install the cover. If you are not using the cleaner, remove the cover and let the skimmer skim. If you are using the Navigator or other cleaner, it needs to be plugged into the cover. If you are not using he cleaner, remove the cover.

 

[Mdragger88]

@Padle
If you have a dedicated suction port in the pool wall that the cleaner plugs into (which is what I think you meant) you don’t need the vac adapter plate that is in the skimmer. Removing it should greatly improve your skimming along with installing a weir door. You should still keep it for just incase you ever do need it.

 

[Padle]

@Padle
If you have a dedicated suction port in the pool wall that the cleaner plugs into (which is what I think you meant) you don’t need the vac adapter plate that is in the skimmer. Removing it should greatly improve your skimming along with installing a weir door. You should still keep it for just incase you ever do need it.

This is indeed the case.

Can both the cleaner and the skimmer clean the pool at the same time, or is it better some days to close the cleaner port to give more power to the skimmer?

 

[PoolStored]

This is indeed the case.

Can both the cleaner and the skimmer clean the pool at the same time, or is it better some days to close the cleaner port to give more power to the skimmer?

Yes, they can both be on, but you will have reduced suction on the cleaner and the skimmer. Turn off the cleaner when you are skimming. Turn off the skimmer when you are cleaning.

 

[Padle]

Thank y'all. I just got my weir door delivered from inyopools.com

I look forward to a much cleaner pool.

 

[Padle]

I'm in Florida, today was about 75 and my pool gets lots of sunlight, is it normal to lose .5 to 1 of FC a day in these "Winter" conditions?