An overdue intro and thanks -- from a longtime TFP fan!

Sampo

Gold Supporter
Aug 19, 2022
64
Southeast PA
Pool Size
34000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Hi everyone!

After a few years of lurking as an avid reader of the forums, I wanted to finally give a THANK YOU to everyone on this site. I originally found TFP while my pool was being built in 2022 (I only wish I’d found you during the design phase). I’ve been using the TFP Method since the start -- and it has never failed me. Thanks to your collective wisdom, I’ve never had algae and my local pool store has barely seen my face! TFP has such an amazing knowledge base (shout-outs to @chem geek , @JasonLion , @Richard320 , @JoyfulNoise , @ajw22 , @mknauss , et al. in the Deep End -- ugh, I missed so many!). Since the "peer review" process here seems better than at many scientific journals, it’s no wonder that this method works!

With such amazing info in the searchable forums, I haven’t needed to post any questions so far. But I thought that I might join in on the discussions -- so it seems that I should introduce my pool:

I live in SE Pennsylvania. I have a 34,000 gallon 43’x18'x9' IG plaster pool that is moderately shaded by large trees. It has 2 skimmers, a double drain, 2 returns, and a hookup for my Polaris TR36P with its secondary pump. I dialed in my Jandy variable speed pump by installing a FloVis on my check valve, measuring the current draw at various pump RPMs, and then plotting a flow/power curve to select the best settings (I’ll post that story next). In my first off-season, I decided to join "Team Stenner" (thanks @Steve_in_C ) and piped in a 30 gal tank for bleach that I control with a Wi-Fi switch. There’s a 48 ft^2 DE filter. No heater; but I just bought a solar blanket and reel to try this year (thanks @Casey ). Oh, and one useless Nature2.

My main struggle has been a high acid demand -- but I’ve been patient since my plaster is still new from 2022. I’ve read up about Borates (thanks again @JasonLion ), but remain torn since I’m not sure whether I like the idea of my water feeling “silky” 🤨. I’m also considering a second smaller Stenner for the HCl.

This year will be my first time opening (no sweat!) and closing (a bit of sweat...) on my own -- but I’ve already got my Cyclone and a plan for the fall!

So once again, a huge THANK YOU to the mods, the contributors... and maybe even the other lurking readers like me!

"CYA later”

Sampo


:lovetfp:
 
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Hey Sampo and Welcome !!!


but I’ve already got my Cyclone and a plan for the fall!
When it gets closer, get a thread going with pics of your system (no 2 are the same) and we'll either walk you through it, or confirm you've already nailed your plan. (y)

Opening (which is CAKE and we'll help there too if need be) is closing in reverse. The only difference is that gravity kindly fills the pipes for you at opening, and you have to force the pipes empty to close. But yeah. You'll have most of one rodeo under your belt when it's time to close and I always reccomend tackling the opening first.
but remain torn since I’m not sure whether I like the idea of my water feeling “silky”
I really liked it. I didn't know why at the time pre-TFP, but it was in the mystery chemicals I was blindly dumping in.

I keep thinking I'll add them but I have a big pool and borates are kinda spendy. My TFP water still feels great compared to any pool I'd ever been in, so I have a hard time justifying the cost.
 
Thanks @Newdude : I'll definitely consult here for advice on my closing plan and rig!

Re: borates, I keep wondering if "silky" is the same feeling as "softened water"? My house has a water softener -- which is great for pipes, but not always for getting a clean feeling when washing. Maybe I should test it out and take a bath in some borax? Lol.
 
I keep wondering if "silky" is the same feeling as "softened water"
No. That's its own feeling as subjective as the rest of them. :ROFLMAO:

Maybe try this analogy. Anyone else's pool is low quality scratchy bed sheets. TFP pools are super high thread count sheets. Borate TFP pools are high quality satin sheets.

# 2 and # 3 both feel great, just different. I get #2 for free and can't see buying #3 for $275 because we need 125 lbs of them for 34k gallons.

If I had ph issues, and the nice feel was simply an added bonus, then I might go for it. From what I understand you use the same acid, half as often, double the dose.

Definitely try running a 60 TA and a high 7 PH first, if you haven't already. Many have found that it helped alot.
 
Definitely try running a 60 TA and a high 7 PH first, if you haven't already. Many have found that it helped alot.

Looking over my Pool Math logs from last year, it seems I generally added baking soda once my TA fell to 50, and HCl when my pH hit 7.9 or 8.0 (except near closing, when I tried to land TA at 60-70 for the winter). I just hate getting those blue exclamation marks when I get out of the "ideal" ranges (!).

Maybe I'll push the envelope a bit more this year: staying more in the "recommended but not ideal" zones. Fortunately, I think my acid use was starting to slow down at the end of last season (just over 1 year out from plastering), so I'm hoping this year will be even better.
 
I just hate getting those blue exclamation marks when I get out of the "ideal" ranges (!).
Forget 'ideal'. Poolmath is just a calculator and has zero clue about your environmental factors, climate , fill water, time of the season, or why you're doing what you're doing.

'Ideal' is how most pools respond. There is no more 'ok' than 'ok'.
HCl when my pH hit 7.9 or 8.0
How low were you adjusting it ? Try from 8 (or 8.2 if you don't catch it in time) to 7.8.
 
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I just hate getting those blue exclamation marks when I get out of the "ideal" ranges (!).

There's an easy fix for that in the advanced settings:

Screenshot_20240227-201425.png

Regarding Borates: I love them, because they help keeping my SWG plates clean. But the water still feels mainly wet. Sometimes warm, more often cold.

Welcome to TFP! Good job on keeping the pool TFP clear from day one.
 
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But the water still feels mainly wet. Sometimes warm, more often cold.
Ha ha! I don't mind the cold water too much -- but I did buy a solar cover to try this year. I've definitely noticed some substantial morning/evening swings in my temperature logs, so I'm hoping it will help with the evaporation.