Recent content by slickraft

I use the wind-up hose timers for all kinds of yard things like deep watering new trees and citrus plants. I even use one for my normal garden hose in the driveway because I've been known to forget to turn it off and the hose sits under pressure all night which worries me it will pop when I'm...

First thing I thought was it's probably not algae. That's pretty aggressive algae growth for 12C (50F) water temps, especially if the FC dropped no lower than 5 while it was happening. Vitamin C tablet test results?

I kept a 30,000 gallon plaster diving pool completely dry here in Mesa for almost 10 years and never had any issues except the plaster flaking (which was happening even before I drained it). I had it put back in service a few years ago with a new pebble-tech finish and there have been no issues...

Welcome fellow Gilbert resident! I'm near Cooper and Guadalupe. I converted to the TFP method a few years ago and couldn't be happier with the results.

It's not the "TFP way" but I take my water samples from just below the surface at the pool steps where I have the least water circulation. I test in the evening when the sun has been out all day and the pool pump has been off a few hours. That time of day is also a 23+ hours from when chlorine...

My cover is not compliant but I have no safety concerns because I installed a threaded plug into the bottom of my skimmer basket (where the center drain loops through before going to the pump). That permanently shuts off the main drain and I've had no issues in doing so. I've gained more...

Of course they aren't. Most things I buy these days are within fractions of an inch of failing right out of the box. Surge Protector? I have a whole house surge protector at my main panel and this smaller unit is at the pump. Amazon.com: Square D by Schneider Electric SDSA1175 Panel Mounted...

Warranties are far too easy for the issuer to get out of with lots of little tricks or loop-holes to negate their losses. I installed my own pump, added surge protection, got the utility rebate and haven't lost any sleep over it. I never, never, never buy extended warranties. They are just...

Re: Not happy with tile choice-advice please! I would leave it as it is. You are unlikely to ever get an exact match between two separate products. Trying to get it to match now with coatings, sealers and even replacement tile, will only make it more obvious that it was a failed attempt to...

My skimmer was placed on the west end of the pool but I wish it were on the east end. Westerly prevailing winds in the afternoons always drives the surface debris to the east end where it slowly sinks or sticks to the tile at the waterline.

I'm over in Gilbert and fill my pool with city water but the makeup fill valve is plumbed with soft water. My home layout offered me a lot of options and being a handy guy (that doesn't like to drag long garden hoses all over the place) I have added 8 outdoor hoses bibs since moving in. Three of...

If it is the line frequency varying I would think all of my clocks using that as a reference would show the same error. I do have grid-tied solar panels with an advanced inverter. The local power company is using my system as a test subject to simulate stabilizing the grid during brown outs or...

Is there some logical explanation why my modern, digital microwave and stove timers in the house are accurate to within seconds per year and yet my new digital pool timers lose minutes per week? I would think that the 60-cycle A/C line power would provide the time reference like my microwave and...

The recent cooler weather will cause the air pressure to drop somewhat. A warm day with sunshine will cause it to rise. Watch to see if it continues to fall.

I tried the Skim-Around skimmer basket a few years back and it did not fit properly for me either. I bought it through eBAy so I got a full refund. I then got a Pool Devil. I like it much better. What I really like is that I can place it on the opposite end of my pool (or at any wall return...