Getting new liner, want to keep it looking new as long as possible....

[Stressed_era]

I know the sun will fade it no matter what. Around 2021 I started using liquid chlorine and I suspect that it was sinking to the bottom based on how there are big blotchy bleached out spots. Now this could have also been from the years of using granular shock I suppose, but I really didn't notice it until last year.

Since I'm adding all new water I'm probably going to use tabs until the cya is within range and then switch to liquid. It's just easier than having to add chlorine everyday.

Couple questions, should I mix the liquid chlorine in a 5 gallon bucket before adding? I always add slowly by the return jet.

Should I used a filter when adding the water to the pool since our water is full of metals and other garbage?

If not, should I use any metal out chemicals after I fill the pool?

Just want the liner to look nice for as long as possible.

 

[borjis]

Letting shock powder sit on it will definitely lighten things up where it sat. I don't believe liquid chlorine caused it. I pour over the deep end jet while the pump is running. It disapates quite rapidly.

The best thing to get the most liner life is making sure you only dose the max chlorine related to your cya and MOST importantly, keeping the pH in the safe zone.

 

[Newdude]

Since I'm adding all new water I'm probably going to use tabs until the cya is within range and then switch to liquid.

Each tab will raise you 4 CYA, and with little to no CYA, the chlorine will burn off in no time. You'd need to replenish it a couple times a day while you wait and it'll be counterproductive.

 

[Stressed_era]

Each tab will raise you 4 CYA, and with little to no CYA, the chlorine will burn off in no time. You'd need to replenish it a couple times a day while you wait and it'll be counterproductive.

Really? Last year I used the tabs when I opened because I had them left over from a couple years ago. I had to fill about 3/4 water so cya was pretty much 0. With 2 tabs floating all day and night it maintained around 4ppm. Only thing I had to adjust was ph once in a while. Then once the cya was around 35-40ppm I switched to liquid. Took about a month of tabs to get there.

Edit: actually I think I was supplementing the tabs with liquid when needed. But the tabs allowed me to not have to fuss with it so much. I used them because I had them, but I kinda liked the peace of mind of having some chlorine floating around if I didn't get to it.

 

[Newdude]

With 2 tabs floating all day and night it maintained around 4ppm

That's terrific. I was only pointing out the typical need to watch for excessive FC loss with low CYA. As long as you know what to watch for, you won't get caught by surprise.

 

[Stressed_era]

That's terrific. I was only pointing out the typical need to watch for excessive FC loss with low CYA. As long as you know what to watch for, you won't get caught by surprise.

I edited my above post. I think I did have to supplement the tabs with liquid sometimes. I didn't know if I did it every day though. Just when it needed it maybe on really sunny days/weeks.

 

[Mdragger88]

One of the other issues with the trichlor is that they are acidic- this can really affect your ph if you’re not watchful.
Chronically low ph can have an adverse affect on your liner.
With a vinyl lined above ground pool you must also be aware of how quickly the liquid chlorine sinks since there’s no deep end.
To combat this I brush/mix with one hand while pouring lc slowly (pencil sized stream) with the other hand in front of a running return.
I have done this for going on 7 seasons with this liner & The area where I add bleach looks no different than the rest of the pool.

 

[Stressed_era]

One of the other issues with the trichlor is that they are acidic- this can really affect your ph if you’re not watchful.
Chronically low ph can have an adverse affect on your liner.
With a vinyl lined above ground pool you must also be aware of how quickly the liquid chlorine sinks since there’s no deep end.
To combat this I brush/mix with one hand while pouring lc slowly (pencil sized stream) with the other hand in front of a running return.
I have done this for going on 7 seasons with this liner & The area where I add bleach looks no different than the rest of the pool.

Thanks for the insight. I have to admit I sometimes get impatient with pouring it, and I never brushed after. I'll just be more careful now. I think since it was an old liner that I knew I was replacing soon I want as careful as I will be now.

As for the ph, yes it did have to be adjusted last year while using trichlor. It never got too low tho. I remember it being around 7 one time. I check my water pretty frequently in the beginning so I caught it right away.

 

[Stressed_era]

Letting shock powder sit on it will definitely lighten things up where it sat. I don't believe liquid chlorine caused it. I pour over the deep end jet while the pump is running. It disapates quite rapidly.

The best thing to get the most liner life is making sure you only dose the max chlorine related to your cya and MOST importantly, keeping the pH in the safe zone.

When I first moved in I just dumped shock in and left it. Just listened to the kid at the pool store. So there was a few years of that. I didn't find tfp until 2021. By then my liner was almost 10 years old. I first noticed the granular shock settling when I used a Clorox brand from Walmart that has blue granules. I saw them all collecting in the seams and creases on the liner.

I also plan on using a solar cover this season so that should help with fading I think.

 

[Stressed_era]

Here's a picture of the old liner. Very blotchy. Metal stained.

 

[Mdragger88]

View attachment 582440
Here's a picture of the old liner. Very blotchy. Metal stained.

Wow, I can see where your steps were I think?
When I moved my steps from their original location after 3 seasons I could see the slight outline where the sun had lightened the rest of the liner.
Definitely no more BLu products! Don’t want copper stains on your pretty new liner.