Recent content by synapsid

So, something interesting has happened. As discussed above, I did not drain the pool. I screwed a Gizzmo with teflon tape into the bottom of the skimmer, and packed the rest of the space with pool noodles, extending out into the throat of the skimmer. I covered with my EZ-drain cover and...

Got the cover on today but the wingnut plug delivery is delayed until Wednesday. I went to Lowe’s to find something similar and the guy said i should use a gizzmo instead. Can anyone explain the advantages of gizzmo vs pool noodles? I’ve even read about just using an empty water bottle. I assume...

Cool! I did not know these existed with the wing nut to expand. So I'll plug the bottom of the skimmer, drain the length of PVC, and close the valve so there's only air in there. Maybe leave it open a hair so that if the plug fails, it will drip slowly. Thanks!

Nice. So my return jet will not be plugged, since it will pass the discharge hose from the EZ drain cover. My skimmer box will be stuffed with pool noodles. Unfortunately the bottom of the skimmer goes to an L-shaped PVC before reaching the first PVC ball valve shutoff. So I suppose I could...

Hi there, My first-time closing went great last year. Winterized according to this link. Opened to crystal clear water in the spring. I am wondering...why do I need to drain below the lowest skimmer/return? I understand that freezing can destroy some of that plastic, but if I put chunks of...

Hi everyone, Going on vacation soon and i plan to put the bubble wrap solar cover on, set the SWG a little higher and the pump run time a little less. Maybe add a gallon or two of liquid chlorine. I’ve never looked at FC loss rates while the solar cover was on, so I’m wondering: does using a...

Hi Friends, All summer my pool has been great. FC between 5 and 10, Salt between 2800 and 3000, equipment happily humming. OCLT showing zero loss. CYA however is hovering between 30 and 40, and I never actually increased it beyond that level this year. I believe it should be up around 60 or...

Thanks! Ugh, this salt cell is just one year old. I’m not too interested in replacing it anytime soon. Today it’s reading 2800 so a little better on that ratio. I will run the diagnostic and keep an eye on it 😁

Howdy all, Taylor salt test shows 3400. Digital readout on SWG says 2700, low salt light blinking, and I presume it is not generating chlorine. I have found the SWG always underestimates compared to the test kit. But why such a wide discrepancy? How do i convince my SWG that there’s plenty of...

Yes! Thanks - the ladder is held in two metal cups. I had thought about trying to connect to that. As a bonus, the wire would then be completely hidden under the steps of the deck.

Thanks. The deck is composite timbertech and the ladder’s in the water. I could connect both uprights to the loop but I would have to disconnect whenever I remove the ladder.

Hi there, When my AGP was installed, we did the bonding to code with the assumption that we would use the PVC ladder that came with our pool. Since then we built a little deck and got an over-the-side ladder that has stainless steel uprights and PVC steps. I assume I must now include this in...

Sorry I did not reply with results! Too busy swimming 😁 The OCLT showed zero chlorine loss. Since then i didn’t tweak anything really. I cranked back the SWG to only a few hours, but forgot to put it on auto. So it was continuing to outpace FC loss and im sitting at FC=15.5 CC=0.5 CYA 30 TA...

Related question, does a solar (bubble wrap type) cover affect the overnight test? I've been leaving it on to keep the heat in but I can leave it off if it will get a more accurate overnight loss reading

Thanks. Last year was my first year and I never actually did an overnight test. I'll do it tonight - good to know that FC loss might indicate algae...I will check it out.