Recent content by Sidecarist

I bought a home with a pool equipped with a swg that was bad from 3 years of sitting and no use. I started the tfp method using bleach and replaced the swg after a year. I wouldn't go back. I had some difficulty with pH rising at first, but now have found the sweet spot for my TA and I haven't...

First don't be intimidated by a test kit. Get it ASAP it's not hard to use, and will give you consistent testing and reliable results. Those results will guide you in the right direction using what you learn from Pool School and using the Pool Math page. Vacuuming to waste is still helpful...

I can't tell how many people have enjoyed our pool and commented that there must be some secret ingredient I use on it. Often they say there's NO chlorine in the pool because they can't smell it. When the truth is that our pool is CLEAN and Sanitary and that's why it doesn't smell. Don't fall...

Putting in a gallon a day won't hurt, even two probably won't hurt for a couple of days if you want to spend the money. Your choice.... Sadly if you do find that your cya is super high a partial drain is the only solution. My first year I over did it with shock before I learned about what it...

I run my TA a bit lower than you, but I found by experimentation that a TA of 60 was my sweet spot to keep PH stable. Your sweet spot may be 80. Watch your PH and if it doesn't move much, you are in the zone and leave it alone, If it rises slowly I don't worry much about it. If it crashes then...

I HAD a similar situation, I purchased a home with a pool and no previous pool experience. The first few weeks were discouraging for sure. THen I learned that I could test my own water, and also the relationship of Chlorine and CYA Stabilizer. I had used so much shock that the CYA was off the...

I'm in southeast TN. We opened today and as part of my opening routine I put a skimmer sock on. It's the easiest solution. I'd rather have the Pollen than algae any day. I learned my lesson last year. I opened and still has 5ppm FC and clear water. In a few days I'll have my water balanced...

Jimrahbe is right... I haven't been around for a while. I have an MX8 and like it a lot. I'm not sure how to deal with a beach entrance to the pool. I'm not sure any suction side cleaner would work on a beach entrance. Your choices are to try and block it, shorten the hoses like you already...

Except for slight differences in equipment (I have a SWG) my story is much the same. It is a pleasure to not worry about the pool. If I do my part it will stay clean clear and most importantly sanitized. Another TFP success story! Congrats!

Update... I've seen some threads about TFP methods. While I won't enter the debate about how some posters are handled by the Mods I will say that TFP methods work for me. Since my original post ALL I have done is add some MA twice to adjust the PH rise caused by my SWG, and Pool Cleaner. I may...

I can't say anything about the Hayward units as I've no experience with them. I do have the MX8 elite and am very happy with it. It was easy to set up climbs the walls to the tile line and doesn't get stuck or confused. The rubber scrubbers on it do a good job polishing the pool surface.

Zodiac MX8 elite and I'm very happy with it after 2 months, the rubber pads on the bottom turbines scrub the pool well. I have it set up in the pool most of the time and run the pump twice a day for 2 hours. It cleans to the water line and I use a leaf canister to catch the bigger debris. No...

I don't claim to have thought of it but yes it is Genius. I think I have about $35.00 in it but can't remember... Yes that's a hose connector. I used a metal one because I've had the nut on the plastic ones split and leak. I wasn't sure if I should trust it, but used it for a week or so while...

Here you go... This was an idea I found online. There was a how to that showed all the fittings etc. The only hard part is that the toilet float is held into the pipe reducer with a nut on the bottom and sealed with silicone. This makes it non replaceable. If it fails I'll have to build a...