Recent content by randytsuch

In a word, no. You don't need to buy the entire TF Pro Salt, but you do need to get a salt test kit to check your salt levels. The other thing the pro has is a speed stir, makes it a lot easier to run any test where you are counting drops, which is most of them.

Another option is to get an USB wifi dongle for the pi. Then get a short USB extension cable so you can locate the wifi dongle outside your metal control box. You can stick the dongle in a little plastic box and add sealant around the cabling to make it waterproof. Also, you're not supposed...

I have a couple of these, one for my pool and another for the spa orbit outdoor timer box Over the years, I've had to replace the outlets, and the latches broke so now I use a wire to a screw to hold them closed. The advantage is obviously the outlet makes it easy to provide power. Its not...

Even if you get a robot, I'd still have the hose/vacuum. Robots can break, nice to be able to clean your pool if the robot is down. And hose and vacuum isn't that much (although nothing is cheap these days) So I suggest getting a hose and vacuum and see how it works for you. If its too much...

Depending on the age and how its been stored, LC that says 10% may not really be 10%. So adding a gallon may not do as much as you think. I will aim a little high in the beginning.

The only issue I have with my SWG is that its too cold where I live for the SWG to work during the winter. Water is down in the low 50s. So I have to deal with LC during the winter. Guess the positive is it reminds me how easy maintenance is once it warms up, and I can start my SWG again. And...

Run an OCLT test If you've been running low or no FC, there might be organics in your pool now.

Some advice for once you slam, and pass an overnight, and are just using the SWG, and have your FC up where it should be. I'd measure chlorine every evening for at a while. See if your FC is staying about the same, or if you are losing some each day. Then adjust your SWG percentage based on...

Maybe an obvious comment, but are you using the black, uv resistant tubing? For shielding, you could use a larger diameter shrink tubing, and don't shrink it. And if your tubing did start leaking, it would stop it from spraying over stuff. I never tried this, just thought of it. When I was...

Last year I bought a 12 ounce kitchen squeeze bottle. My routine is rinse out the bottle and vials and mag bar in pool water, then fill rinse bottle. Use bottle to fill vial to line, run test, dump liquid, rinse vial and bar with bottle a few times. For a few bucks, makes the process easier...

Or install a SWG ;) I did some calcs back in early 2021, and even back then, my calculated price per gallon of Cl from a SWG was cheaper then I was paying locally. And adding the convenience factor of not dealing with liquid CL anymore, it was an easy decision for me. Have no regrets. At...

Maybe try running test twice in a row, see if you get consistent results. Do you have a speed stir? Makes this test soo much easier to do. Same for FC test. How much salt have you added this season, total? Randy

For my aquarite, it changes polarity every 3 hours, so I run it in multiples of 6 hours, ie 6, 12, 18 or 24. Otherwise, it will be running at one polarity longer than the other one. Right now I'm running for 12 hours, and I adjust the output percent as required. Not sure if the aquatrol has the...

One more thing to buy are standard solutions CYA is a tricky test to perform, so I'd at least get the CYA standard to help you judge it.

While you're waiting for the test kit, I'd add a gallon a day of chlorine to keep your FC up. With the heat wave coming this week, you're going to burn up FC quickly. And if you're getting a kit, I'd highly recommend getting a speed stir test kit link