Recent content by Mozartk626

  1. M

    I knew I was Pool Stored when...

    I do go to the pool store to get my water tested just as a sanity check, but lately the only numbers I (sort of) trust are CYA and calcium hardness (and maybe alkalinity). They had their machine recalibrated about a year ago and ever since, their results have been so janky, it's mildly...
  2. M

    Which product/brand for increasing Calcium Hardness?

    I just jumped on here to ask the same question. My supply of Leslie's Hardness Plus is running low, and I was wondering if I'm crazy, or is that stuff far from 100% calcium? My pool chem dose calculator gives two dose amounts - one for 77% calcium and one for 100% calcium. I can only assume that...
  3. M

    help with PH-Alkalinity Adjustment App

    I'm using pH - Alkalinity Adjustment Tool by Lowry Consulting Group. I thought that was pretty standard at TFP. I use Cal Hypo as my primary chlorine source.
  4. M

    help with PH-Alkalinity Adjustment App

    I've been using the pH-Alkalinity Adjustment Tool app for some time now, but I have to admit I don't completely understand what it's telling me to do. I understand there are two sections: pH Priority and Alkalinity Priority. What I don't get is whether I'm supposed to be following BOTH of these...
  5. M

    Practical Chemical Storage

    Makes sense. For the separate issue you raised, I use trichlor only at times when my CYA is a little low and I want to raise it back up. The rest of the time I use Cal Hypo in small enough amounts to just maintain my pool at around 2-3.5 ppm. I find that if I do that, my CH stays in line for...
  6. M

    Practical Chemical Storage

    Good info, folks. #1: I can't have bottles and containers sitting out/around, so they need something to go in. #2: It's Texas. My garage gets insanely hot, so I need to get the chemicals out of there. I'm thinking this (tell me where I'm wrong): - Get a mid-sized to large plastic "deck box"...
  7. M

    Practical Chemical Storage

    PRACTICAL is the key word here. I've read a number of posts/articles on how to properly store pool chemicals. I get it. There's an ideal way to do it. What I need is a PRACTICAL (though imperfect) way that won't be dangerous, catch my house on fire, corrode the container it's in, etc. I live in...
  8. M

    Storage for pool cleaner and control box

    Do you leave your covered caddy outside/plugged in?
  9. M

    Storage for pool cleaner and control box

    I purchased a Dolphin Sigma robotic pool cleaner a couple of months ago. His name is Ziggy, I like him, and I think he does a pretty good job. One thing I'm curious about: the control box is water resistant, but not water proof (i.e., you should not leave it out in the rain.) The phone app...
  10. M

    Pool Automation

    I'd like to hear opinions on what is the best pool automation system. When I moved into my home last year, I inherited an iAquaLink. Of the reviews I've seen, most people seem to like it, but I am just highly underwhelmed, and interested in possible alternatives. To me, this thing looks and...
  11. M

    Pool Cleaners - Worth it?

    Thanks, folks. I take really good care of my pool, so I’m not worried so much about cleaning up algae. My main question is just about whether I can get something good enough that I won’t have to scrub my pool anymore, or at least not every week like everyone recommends. Even with only a 7,000...
  12. M

    Pool Cleaners - Worth it?

    Looking for some expert advice. My old Polaris that I inherited from the previous home owners is falling apart, and I’m torn between getting it fixed, buying a new one, or splurging for a $1000 top of the line robot. I have a very small plunge pool with a pebble finish, so lots of nooks and...
  13. M

    Skyrocketing Ph: I Give Up!

    Oh, one thing I forgot to mention is that my primary choice of chlorine is Cal-Hypo. Don’t know if that’s important. I know pH should initially jump when I add it, which is why I don’t test anywhere close to when I add it to the water. (Which brings up another unrelated mystery I’m dealing with...
  14. M

    Skyrocketing Ph: I Give Up!

    I have a Lamotte digital test kit that I use to test chlorine and pH, but get a test from Leslie’s once a week for my most trusted read. If you mean how much water is turning over (draining/refilling), I’d say relatively little. With the torrential rains we get in Houston, I’d say a lot of my...
  15. M

    Skyrocketing Ph: I Give Up!

    - Not new. Pool is about 6 years old. - Refresh my memory- what is CSI? - 7.6 is contrary to what the Easy Pool Chemistry book says? Why can’t I get my pH to a perfect 7.5? - It seems like constantly lowering my pH from 8.2 down to 7.6 is going to take a whole lot of acid and a whole lot of...