Recent content by efm1972

We had some coping and tile work done that required us to empty the pool. The pool is now refilled, but we will be closing in a few days. Should we increase the CYA levels before close, or wait until we open in the spring? Current water temp is 57 degrees and all other levels are ok (although I...

TFP's recommend CH level for a plaster pool is 250 - 350 ppm. My current readings are: FC - 3.5 CC - 0.0 pH - 7.5 Alk - 80 CH - 225 CYA - 30 Last year, CH was about 250 all season. This year I have been at 225. I test using Talor test kit (K-2006). This is my 3rd season with pool. Pool...

Some background before I ask my question. We live in the Philadelphia, PA suburbs so only have our pool open from about mid May to mid Sept each year. Because the temps have been low this year, we have lost out on about 2 weeks of pool time and everyone wants to get a heater. After having the...

Thanks for all the responses to my question. I did check my Muriatic Acid, which I purchase from Home Depot and I can confirm that it is not fumeless. Also, when I fill my test bottle, I do so from the same spot in the pool and from the same depth each time. After looking at my test log...

Split by moderator from HERE. Please start your own thread for your own questions. Thanks, jblizzle. I read through this string and have the same question. This is 2nd season with pool (pool was finished May 2012). In the first part of this summer, I really did not have the issue of pH going...

Thanks for the comments. Passed OCLT. I will now target to start day at FC of 6 or 7 ppm. That way (based on experience so far), I will end day around 3 ppm. Also, given all the rain we had in the northeast (Philadelphia), I have had to drain over 6" of water off pool over the past several...

Normal FC loss is about 50%. If I start the day with FC = 4, it will usually be around 2 in the evening on a full sun day.

Thanks. I decided to shock pool tonight and added 2 gal liquid chlorine. Will retest FC in an hour and then again in the morning.

I added 4 lbs of Calcium Chloride at 1PM ET today to raise the calcium level in my pool. Test results before adding the Calcium Chloride were as follows: FC = 4.0 CC = 0.0 pH = 7.6 CH = 200 Alk = 110 CYA = 40 Tonight, at 8:45PM ET, I started to test my water, but am not getting a reading for...

Any advice on what to clean and/or replace after an algae outbreak. Solar Cover? I had this on before the outbreak, but has been off since sitting rolled up in a wheel barrel in my shed. I am fearful to use it again. The cover is new, so I don't want to chuck it. Should this be cleaned...

Thanks, I will. Hopefully the rain stops. It's been raining for about 24 hours now and I'm feeling soggy :-(

Can rain (about 1") impact the Overnight FC loss test? If so, by how much? Test results on June 6th @ 6:45PM EDT (with Taylor test kit) FC = 17.5 CC = 0 Test results on June 7th @ 7AM EDT (with Taylor test kit) FC = 13 CC = 0 Thanks

It turns out this was a clerical error on the part of the tester. They do not even test for Borates, but it is in their software package. The 365 ppm reading is actually for Total Disolved Solids, not Borate. The tester just put the reading for TDS in the Borate column. Oh the joys of...

Yes, this is why I switched to Liquid Chlorine Bleach, so I don't add anymore CYA. Also, I am backwashing more frequently (taking extra water out and replacing with tap water) for the rest of the season. With the pool close about a month or so away, the pool will be drained below the return...

Other than the Tri-Chlor (which I used in the 1st half of this season), Muriatic Acid, Baking Soda and Jack's Magic, I am not adding anything else to the pool. Since it's a new plaster pool, it was recommended that I use 8 oz of Jack's on a weekly basis. The only ingredient listed on the...