New-ish Endless Pool Swim Spa - Lots of questions

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brkaus

Member
May 28, 2022
16
Austin, TX
I have a Endless Pool that was installed in January. It has a vinyl liner and approx 3300 gallons. Not sure if this belongs here or in the spa section. Given it's pool like temp, I figured here, but please correct me.

I've been fighting cloudiness on/off since installed, mostly due to letting chlorine get to 0 I believe. I've been trying to stay on the low end, for better or worse. Most recent cloudiness also had green growth on the walls.

I was able to get everything under control by holding the chlorine around 8-10 for a few days and bruising everything that is accessible.

Once clear, I added 4 lbs boric acid (dudadiesel) per recommendations I've read here and elsewhere (I have a family member that swears by it).

Now, my questions -

1) The pool frequently smells like chemicals. Is this the combined chlorine? Or something else?

2) I've managed to bleach the dark vinyl liner a bit lighter blue. Not a big deal, but want to make sure I'm not damaging it. Is it the chlorine or the boric acid?

3) There are lots and lots of channels that I cannot easily access that I know have a coat of (hopefully dead) algae. Do I need to do a major disassembly to brush it all?

4) this past week I've felt itchy after swimming in the pool.

Here are the stats from this morning (using TF-Pro test kit)
==========================================
Endless
------------------------------------------
Build Type: Vinyl
Volume: 3300 gallons
------------------------------------------
Latest Test Result Summary:
FC: 1.5 (2 minutes ago)
CC: 1.0 (2 minutes ago)
pH: 7.4 (2 minutes ago)
TA: 115 (2 minutes ago)
CH: 111 (2 minutes ago)
CYA: 29 (2 minutes ago)
BORATES: 45 (2 minutes ago)
TEMPERATURE: 83° (2 minutes ago)
==========================================

Since that time, I've added 3 cups of 7.5% bleach that brought the chlorine up to 7 (was targeting 6) to help with the CC.

Finally, I did bring the water to a local pool store. They freaked out about having TDS of 1500 and said I should drain at least half. Any truth to that? The good news is they didn't market any metal removers, said I need to drain and come back :)
 
Hi and welcome to TFP!

We are going to leave you right here as this will be a good starting point. I am going to ask questions to help us dial you in:

-Have you cleaned the pipes in any way? I am thinking there was gunk left in the pipes from when the factory tested it. We just had a member get a new spa and she found out fast she needed to clean the pipes. @Ahhsomeguy should be of help with this. It is VERY important and might be a big part of your problem.

-I see you have one of the good test kits. Good job! Lets use it instead of any more pool $tore testing. I am SO glad they did not try to sell you anything this time...........just wait until there is a next time and bring your wallet :roll:
 
@kimkats thanks. The system has very little piping (as in 1.5” pvc). It has a pleated cartridge filter, small pump, geko heater, and return.

However, it does have very large acrylic boxes/channels that are sitting in the pool to direct the water. I’d estimate it would take my 8 hours to disassemble and reassemble most of it.
 
Oh but dear one you will not have to do that! There is a product that will do it from the inside! It works or I would not even suggest it. We do not sell anything here but we sure do buy and use a lot of stuff to make sure they work before we suggest them.

I am going to share a link to one place you can buy it. You already know the place as it is where you bought your test kit from!

Hot Tub Products

tftestkits.net tftestkits.net

What has happened is there was water left in the piping and it got yucky while it sat at the warehouse waiting to be bought. That is what you are battling. Once you purge the pipes you should be in a better place to keep the water clean and clear!
 
Hello brkaus: I have a recommendation for you. Just so everyone understands, I normally do not try to use this forum to sell our products. That being said, I need to tell you what I know will certainly assist you with your Endless Pool water chemistry and clarity. We go back a very long time with Endless, long before the Watkins Wellness Purchase. We presently have many hundreds and possibly thousands of Endless Pool owners that use our Ahh-Some Swimming Pool Bio-Cleaner and Clarifier. Molecularly, our pool bio-cleaner and clarifier share some of the same ingredients as our famous Hot Tub Plumbing & Jet Cleaner. There are a few other differences whereby the Ahh-Some Pool product is added to the Endless Pool monthly and there is no need to drain and refill. Based on your 3,000 gallon capacity you would add approximately one ounce or (2 level tablespoons) of the Ahh-Some Gel every 4 weeks or so. Initially, I would ask that you double that dose the first month so we can get the gunk off and out into the water so your filter can grab it. Thereafter, just add one ounce monthly and you will see a tremendous difference in the water clarity and with a reduction in chlorine demand. The first month or so you are going to be in a transition cycle so be prepared to see some floaters and sticky stuff appear. Not to worry as this is short-lived. Small amounts of foam may also appear for the first 2-3 days. Again, no big deal. Never drain your vinyl liner pool completely. With average splash-out and evaporation you will always be adding make-up water through your swimming season, thus refreshing the water and reducing TDS levels. You will basically need 2 (6 ounce) containers of Ahh-Some POOL BIO-CLEANER & WATER CLARIFIER product (NOT the HOT TUB product) for a one year supply. This will be your workhorse and you will definitely see vast improvement.
 
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I am not sure :( I went back and looked at your levels and they all look good. It might be a stretch but have have you washed your towels in something new? I wonder if there was something in the pipes that came out in the water and that could be it. The towels are really easy to ask and fix so I started there.

Thank you @Ahhsomeguy' I can attest you do NOT try to sell anything here on TFP. I will also say we have seen the worth of your products and know it is the best for each application. Thank you for stepping to help with this.
 
No other changes with towels, detergent, etc. And it’s recent, at the end of this algae bloom. But before I added boric acid. Maybe just in my mind…

The first month or so with the pool was truly trouble free. I’m pretty sure I did this to myself by not properly monitoring chem levels close enough during our huge pollen drop season.
 

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And my 7ppm chlorine is down to 3ppm 6 hours later (both drop test method). Filtered sunlight.

That’s excessive for 30ppm cya if the pool was clean, isn’t it? Or no?

I assume that implies something is consuming it. And I’m going to have to try a magic cleaner (ordered), take it apart and brush it, or both.
 
brkaus: Itchiness has always been a hard thing to answer since everyone’s skin sensitivity when oxidizers and sanitizers are used can do so varied. Based on the fact that your Endless Pool was new in January it is less likely that biofilms or slime forming microorganisms are the cause. Biofilms can be very prolific in swimming pools just like hot tubs and jetted indoor bathtubs. Actually, when you consider the linear feet of plastic plumbing in pools you can well imagine that there are many many colonizations that are thriving. Pool owners don’t notice the floaters as much since the volume and area are so much larger. Just something to think about regarding the itchiness is that someone placing their body directly in the return inlet’s effluent can irritate their skin in that area and cause a problem in certain skin types. Typically, this is more problematic in hot tubs and not swimming or lap pools. The same day you add the Ahh-Some it will begin to work at cleaning any bio-buildup you may have.
 
brkus: Please be sure that you report back this forum as to your results after using the Ahh-Some Pool Bio-Clean & Water Clarifier. The vast majority of large Swim Spas or In-Ground swimming pool owners have no clue regarding biofilm in their plumbing infrastructure. It is not entirely their fault. Dealers don’t say anything to them about this phenomenon. As a matter of fact I would bet that over 50% of the dealers don’t know themselves. Some definitely do and when they share this information with their customers the loyalty to that dealer is immense. Watkins and Endless know about Ahh-Some but they don’t really talk about the inherent biofilm problem within their industry unless their people are repeatedly questioned as to why this and that always happens with their water, chemicals and skin irritation.
 
Since I have been here last -
  • Been very careful to hold chlorine between 1.5 & 4ppm, with a few occasional escapes down to 0.5.
  • pH is currently 5
  • I added 3oz of CYA to target closer to 35. Thought might be easier to manage chlorine
  • Pool has been crystal clear
  • Still smells of chemicals frequently
  • Can still see scum on walls in crevices, see some in pool water occasionally after running swim current on high (it goes really fast)
  • Hard to judge the itching.
I just added 4 level tbsp of the magic elixir.
 
As stated previously, you will see some scum floaters if you are watching before the filter grabs them. much of what you will see was harboring inside the pool plumbing. Initially, chlorine demand can increase as more and more particulates are flushed out into the pool. After a week or so this will not be the case. You will notice a brilliance to the water that will literally look fantastic. The product builds upon itself so as you continue the monthly additions yiu will see even better results. This is not hype. You will see the results and please, keep posting your r results. Thank you for the update brkaus.
 

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