Recent content by brucek2

I bet being able to run a DC motor directly from the DC power produced by the panels is an advantage compared to pushing it through an inverter to run the standard AC motor. The question is how significant is that advantage, and do they more than make up for the trade offs of: . using a...

I'm considering installing an array of PV solar panels on my roof. These are the kind that make electricity, not the ones that heat water. I've noticed there's at least a couple companies selling self-contained solar powered filter pump kits (ie Lorentz, SunRay) that include both panels and a...

pH has been under control for a couple weeks now so I thought I'd update just in case it helps the next person. One factor turned out to be that my Muratic Acid was half the strength I thought it was. At the store it was grouped with a bunch of other 31.45% product, it has a label touting its...

My pool service quit a few weeks back. That's when I discovered this site and learned what CYA was and that my currently level of 240 was probably not great. So I started by replacing about 90% of the water. The pool service had been putting tabs in the feeder, but my plan was to go just with...

Oops, my mistake when I wrote the post, I confused the CH test colors with the TA test. Good catch. I have recently started using the solar system to heat the water from 80 (day time temp, very consistent) to 85. I mix the water from the panels (120?) with a bypass line of unheated water so...

This morning's measurements: FCL 1.4 CCL 0 pH 8.0+ TA 60 (turned clear) - 70 (turned blue) CH 160 CYA 30 Seems pH is still rising. CH may be slightly up or may be within my measuring error. I don't see any pitting but its possible I just don't know enough of what to look for. Pool was...

There's something else going on here. Out of curiosity I stopped replenishing the chlorine and by this afternoon it had fallen all the way back to 0.5. But the pH did not drop back with it -- it is still 7.9.-8.0. I've also still seen no downward pressure on the pH from the CYA I added six...

So it sounds that just like FCL is expected to fall and rise from consumption/addition, so to is pH as part of that same process? That makes sense, just means I need to be comfortable with both the low and high points of the pH cycle. I'm still just learning/getting started, that's all...

Is it possible that bleach can push pH up? I've read the pool school materials and used the calculator, and don't see any indications that it should, but I can't think of why else my pool suddenly has much higher pH Measurements (yesterday -> today) FCL 0.5 -> 4.0 CC 0 -> 0 PH 7.5 -> 7.9 TA...

Can anyone point me to an overview of the Pentair multispeed pump line? (or another mfr if there's some problem with this one?) I've tried understanding their site but there are a lot of models and I'm having trouble understanding how they differ. My pool guy is recommending the InteliPro...

Just got this email reply from the former pool service guy: "The CYA level has been on the high side. That is only the chlorine stabilizer level. It is not going to harm anything being on the high side. To lower it, you have to drain water from pool. Either from frequent backwashes or dumping...

And thank you Richard as well. I was already thinking I needed to reorder CYA test materials and will add those other ones too. We are entering the "rainy season" here although overall its still pretty dry compared to many places. Interesting idea about feeding gutters to pool, sounds like...

Thanks Jason! My measurements were in sunlight but not sure whether I shielded the view tube using my body. I'll try again tomorrow just to be sure. I'm about 600 feet above sea level and half way up a steep hill, so I'm thinking I must be well above any water table? I'll ask around locally...

Relatively new pool owner here. Moved six months ago, house came with pool and existing pool service. Water has looked and felt good all that time although I have no measurements. I did notice there was/is white scale at the waterline since I moved in. Pool service quit a couple weeks ago...