Recent content by rimshaker

Not a very good endorsement for public pools lol. What happened to being adults, much less pros? http://sports.yahoo.com/news/phelps-adm ... --oly.html

Thanks for the suggestions. Guess i will have to research this a little further. I do run the pumps during winter months, but only 1 or 2 days a week, just so things dont get stagnant. I've used dye drops to test the skimmer, returns, and footsteps. I've let it drop below the tile levels, so im...

Over the past 2-3 years i noticed my pool slowly leaks only during winter months; almost 2 inches a week. Live in FL so it doesnt ice up but can get very cold nonetheless. But as it warms up during spring/summer the water level is totally stable. I don't think evaporation can explain this so i...

My CYA disappeared since last summer also; down from 100+ to only 40 last week. Old fashioned pool with no automatic drainage or backwash. Nothing but rainwater, fill water, and evaporation cycles all year. Winters are very mild in FL; and no algae blooms since last year... so how do I...

Don't premix. IMO it just adds another unnecessary step to an already dangerous handling situation. And always pour acid into the deep end, preferably in front of a return line.

Still can't beat the 10% strength 2.5gal (320 oz) jugs that most major pool store chains have. They're usually around $4 per jug. But when they run periodic specials like buy 2 get 1 free, or a big 20% discount, you can't beat that price for chlorine. The only one-time catch is you must...

I made the same exact mistake last year before I learned about BBB. Out of frustration, poured 2 gallons of algaecide without knowing any of the consequences. Sure, a lot of dead algae resulted, but with foam everywhere. Looked like a giant bubble bath. Had to scoop out tons of green dead...

I can usually make out when it's 4ppm. But it really depends on an individual's ability to discern very slight changes in color hues. I don't need OTO that much. It's only use is to tell me if TC is above or below 5ppm. If it's below 5ppm, time to add another jug. If it's 5ppm or above, I...

Went to Leslies yesterday to pick up 2 jugs of chlorine (they got a 20% off chemicals sale with postcard going on). Ended up getting a snobby lecture from a worker saying I was wasting my money on jugs because supposedly by the time I get it home and pour it, it's practically close to water...

It really depends on an individual's ability to differentiate between similar shades of pink. Naturally it can be subjective; but with enough practice you can at least correctly guesstimate if the reading is closer to one number or the other. At the end of the day I just close my eyes and pray...

So as long as the sample is a 50/50 mix of pool water and reagent, any of the view tubes out there will work right? Are the CYA results accurate only at the exact moment you can't see the black dot any more? Is the result still valid after letting the sample sit like 10-15 seconds? Sometimes...

All testing is with the trusty ole TF100 :) Fill water is straight from the tap, no automatic systems or drains. Accounting for about +/-10% error factor, I suppose my readings are still fine. And I know TA and CYA levels have about a 30% correlation due to carbonates. I've come a looong way...

Here's a sample reading during cooler temps in March: FC 10 pH 7.5 TA 90 CH 290 CYA ~80 Haven't done anything drastic with pool except bleach/acid maintenance for FC. Maybe a little fill water once a month, but no leaks. Water always crystal clear. Now here's my readings as of today with water...

24hrs continuous running is really only needed if you're shocking the pool fighting a serious algae bloom. I've been just fine running the pump at 6-8hrs per day over the summer.

Got a Hayward feeder attached to my pump/filter. But ever since learning about BBB last summer and the side effects of using trichlor tablets, i've got no use for it now. Before I disconnect it, need opinions on whether to just keep it since it's already attached or get rid of it forever. Any...