First Time Using TF-Pro Salt - Some Grey Matter in Pool

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jesse-99 said:
Going to ask a dumb question here, lol. But, what does adding a hair net, or previously mentioned skimmer sock, really help with? It just seems like it would catch more at the skimmer itself and send along less "stuff" to the filter.? Seems like whether it's the filter itself, or the hairnet/skimmer sock picking up the "stuff", what difference does it make? I think a lightbulb needs to go off in my head :)
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I get lots of leaves, pollen and oak catkins. I need them and change them every day in the spring.
 
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Chlorine still a little high, but best I've had the levels all season.

FC - 16
TA - 90
CYA - 90
pH - 7.2
CH - 500
Salt - 3600
CSI - (0.38)
 
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You may also want to keep an eye on salt cell scaling... If you experience the need to clean it frequently.

While Pool Math recommends CH up around 500, it can make scaling more likely because of the tendency to drift to a positive CSI often (usually due to pH creep)...

It may not be a problem, but keep an eye on it. You could consider adding Borates, if so.

Great work so far!
 
duraleigh said:
I would suggest a lower CYA and lower FC.......probably around 60 CYA and FC about 6 for climate in Buffalo.
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Agree on lower FC (was not my intent to be up this high haha). Why the lower CYA of 60? I won't be adding more stabilizer so I expect it to come down over time. I'm adding water weekly because my kids seem to enjoy getting as much out of the pool as possible haha.

ngsm13 said:
You may also want to keep an eye on salt cell scaling... If you experience the need to clean it frequently.

While Pool Math recommends CH up around 500, it can make scaling more likely because of the tendency to drift to a positive CSI often (usually due to pH creep)...

It may not be a problem, but keep an eye on it. You could consider adding Borates, if so.

Great work so far!
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How would I keep an eye on salt cell scaling? I haven't cleaned it before as it was only active a few weeks last season. Similar to my pool stabilizer comment above I add water weekly so expect this to come down as I won't be adding more calcium chloride.

Should I be testing for Borates?
 
+1. If you do get a particularly high UV week in Buffalo, it's only for a week. Two tops. The rest of the summer won't be intense for you.

bbdude said:
How would I keep an eye on salt cell scaling?
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For regular climates, pull and inspect every 3 months, if it doesn't advise to earlier.

For upstate NY, start it clean and inspect it mid season.
 
Happy 4th everyone! Noticed what I can only assume is calcium scaling. I think it’s because my pH was higher going into closing last year and CH was also low due to hard water.

I’ve obviously fixed both this year, but the calcium scaling is already present. The walls of my pool aren’t too bad. Metal brushing has no impact so I’ll get a pumice stone.

It’s worst on the bottom of the pool in a handful of spots. Especially the deep end. Shallow end is fine.

Any suggestions for the deep end? Most the spots are not easy to use a metal brush and even then it has little impact.
 

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duraleigh said:
Where do you keep your pH?
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I was not diligent checking it after we opened in late August 2022. Since opening in April it's been stuck between 7.8 and 8.2, with little time around 7.2 Here's today's results:

FC - 11
TA - 90
CYA - 80
pH - 7.8
CH - 475
Salt - 3600
CSI - (0.16)

It seems I need to be adding at least a gallon of MA on a bi-weekly basis. Is that more than expected? I plan to add about a half gallon today to get back down to 7.2.

wireform said:
The PH isn't accurate with the FC above 10. The only way would be to do a diluted PH check but straight from the pool is a no go.
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Why is that? Does this mean it's likely higher than tested or lower?
 
If you are pretty confident that is scale, I would suggest this to remove it. It requires careful dosing and attention once each day so don't undertake it if you don't have the time for it.

1. Lower your TA to 50 ppm via the acid/aeration method found in Pool School

2. Next drop your pH to 6.8 and hold it there.

3. Keep these two parameter at 50 and 6.8 by testing and adjusting each day.

4. Scale does not like low pH and hopefully will begin to dissolve back into solution and come off your pool surface

5. It's a slow process but brush that scale every day and I believe it will eventually disappear.
 
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duraleigh said:
If you are pretty confident that is scale, I would suggest this to remove it. It requires careful dosing and attention once each day so don't undertake it if you don't have the time for it.

1. Lower your TA to 50 ppm via the acid/aeration method found in Pool School

2. Next drop your pH to 6.8 and hold it there.

3. Keep these two parameter at 50 and 6.8 by testing and adjusting each day.

4. Scale does not like low pH and hopefully will begin to dissolve back into solution and come off your pool surface

5. It's a slow process but brush that scale every day and I believe it will eventually disappear.
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I'm not confident. How could I tell it's scale vs just rough spots in the plaster? I went down into the deep end yesterday and the majority of the plaster is smooth. A handful of rough spots near the edges, which are nearly impossible to brush.

Now that my water is in good shape ... any issues just leaving scale alone? I assume it won't get worse so long as I keep my water balanced?
 
The greatest contributor to scale on the pool surface is high pH.........for an extended time. Keeping your pH low and testing it perhaps 3 times weekly to make sure of your results would just maybe slowly dissolve the scale.

No issue whatsoever just leaving it.........just keep your pH down.
 
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duraleigh said:
The greatest contributor to scale on the pool surface is high pH.........for an extended time. Keeping your pH low and testing it perhaps 3 times weekly to make sure of your results would just maybe slowly dissolve the scale.

No issue whatsoever just leaving it.........just keep your pH down.
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I can't agree more with your statement. Have a pool I mentioned in a thread which the fix for the white stuff was PH getting high and staying there too long.
 
BDY said:
I use a sock like that and it’s been great. But i only have to change mine once a week now - at high pollen season was every three days. If I had to change more often like
Some people here do 2-3x a day I’d use the hairnets.

I may switch to hairnets after my current pack is done.

Your basket may “float” with a sock in it with pump off so put a large rock in the basket (just larger than your drain pipe) on top of the sock to weigh it down
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I just added a dog toy to weigh down skimmer with sock. Afraid rock would get stuck in drain.
 
About a month or so away from closing time. Below are today's reading. Still fighting a bit to keep PH down, but otherwise doing okay. Any suggestions on what my chemicals should be at closing time?

I know everyone recommended CYA of 60 for my climate, but despite all the water I've added (and the rain) I'm still on the higher side.

FC - 7
TA - 70
CYA - 80
pH - 7.8
CH - 400
Salt - 3800
CSI - (0.09)
 

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