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There have been quite a few posts asking about the differences between the 2 and 4 wheel versions of the "The Pool Cleaner" / Aquanaut / Phoenix cleaners. They focus on the standard idea that the 4 wheel is for pools larger than 16' x 32', and/or deeper than 8 feet. I have not been able to...

We were basically at ground zero for the Woolsey fire in Los Angeles over this last week. Thankfully, our house came through fine, but I now have a few questions about cleaning a lot of ash out of a pool. I did search the forums and found a few threads about it, but I'm looking for further...

I'm considering switching from a Kreepy Krauly classic to a Hayward Aquanaut (i.e. a clone of "The Poolcleaner") in order to get more even overall coverage in my pool. The KK tends to run a repeated pattern for me and doesn't reliably go everywhere. I can get it to vary it's path by making...

Does anyone know how the suction requirements compare between the Poolvergnuegen "Poolcleaner" and the Kreepy Krauly Classic? I have a somewhat odd situation with my pool plumbing which uses a 1 inch line for the cleaner. I use a valve to adjust the skimmer so that enough water is pulled...

My pool's pH is constantly rising. I've tried for a few years to figure out why this is happening, but at this point I've kind of given up for the time being. It's not new plaster, I don't have any water features, I've played with the jet directions, etc. For whatever reason, the pH is just...

I was looking into switching out my regular tungsten lights with Pentair Intellibrite 5G colored lights. My spa has a regular size niche in it, so I'm wondering if there is an adapter that would allow me to use the smaller spa version of the 5G in this spot. I believe that my current niches...

I'm trying to use the Lamotte test strips to test for borates, but I'm finding it to be effectively impossible to get accurate results. I just can't tell with any sense of accuracy what color actually matches the strip. It's one of three colors, which doesn't tell me much. I've read about...

I noticed in the Pool Calculator that when borates are added to a pool, the amount of muriatic acid needed to lower the pH by a specific amount goes way up (more than doubles even with borates at 40ppm.) I"m curious if the effect of the acid on TA changes as well -- i.e. do you still get the...

I have a non-SWG pool, about 22K gallons, which uses liquid Cl. I've never been able to figure out why my pH rises so much -- about 0.2 per day -- but I add muriatic acid a couple times a week to push it back down. I generally let it rise to 7.8-ish and then knock it back down to 7.2. The...

I've noticed a significant difference between the SI (Saturation Index) given by the Taylor Watergram wheel and the CSI (Calcite Saturation Index) given by the TFP Pool Calculator (or the "poolcalculator.com" calculator.) These are supposed to give you the same indication of how "balanced" your...

I've always wondered about the CYA/CL charts' use of the word "target." Is the "target' the level you "aim for" when you add chlorine -- i.e. the highest "non-shock" level you should use -- or is it the "average" level that you try to make your FC levels center around over time? I understand...

I'm curious what levels of Cl are still safe for both swimming and for swimsuits when using the recommended Cl levels given on the TFP CYA/Chlorine charts. In order to make things a bit easier and not have to add Cl nearly every day, I'd like to raise the FC levels above the "target" levels...

I'm curious to hear opinions on the traditional granular CYA vs the liquid "instant" form (i.e. monosodium cyanurate monohydrate.) I know that the liquid is much more expensive per ppm raised, but I only need to bump up my CYA a bit, so the cost difference is no big deal in my case. Given...

Is it possible for high Calcium Hardness levels to cause pH rise either directly or indirectly? I've been fighting with steady pH rise for a few years now, and it appears that my CH may be around 1000, which is significantly higher than most people hit. I'm wondering if this may be leading to...

I have a new Pentair Quad 100 filter and Intelliflo VS pump. When I open the pump to clean the basket, I hear a constant gurgling/bubbling sound, and the water level in the pump drops pretty much all the way down to the bottom. Is this normal? There is a check valve up stream of the pump, so...

I turned off my pump (Intelliflo VS) to check something, and when I turned it back on a minute later, it immediately gave me an "over current" alarm. The little red light blinked for 20 seconds, then the pump restarted automatically and ran normally. The pump is brand new (only a couple weeks...

I've been trying to figure out whether or not to get a spa blower. I would like more bubble action, but I'm concerned about the potential for too much noise. The neighbors I've spoken with say that they never use their blowers due to the excessive noise they produce. My equipment deck is...

Jandy valves with actuators -- how accurate do they stop at "mid" positions? I have a couple questions about using Jandy Neverlube valves with actuators. I've read that they can rotate the valve to "any position," but just to confirm, does this mean that they can stop in between the end stops...

I've been reading about using borates to "stabilize" pH, but I'm a little unclear on a few things. First, it strikes me that in all my searching for how to stabilize my pH (it keeps rising all the time), I can't remember ever seeing anyone suggest adding borates. Am I misinterpreting what...

I had a Pentair Quad 100 installed 2 weeks ago. Every time the pump comes on, I get a light cloud of DE at the return jets. It's particularly obvious at night with the pool lights on, where I can see a faint "cloud" in the pool itself. It primarily shows up, however, in the spa as an obvious...

I'm curious how often the people using ONLY liquid bleach for chlorination (TFPC method) have to add chlorine to their pools, and how much they have to add. In my case, during the summer months the Cl level drops VERY quickly -- so quickly that I don't understand how anyone could possibly use...

Does anyone know what the symptoms are when the flat seal on a Kreepy Krauly classic (i.e. the large rubber "starfish" disc) is worn out? My Kreepy seems to work okay, but I started out with a used one (it came with the house), so I don't have a point of reference to how a "new" unit...

After running into some potential design issues with a pool re-plumbing project, it occurred to me that using unions on a number of key connections (rather than gluing directly) would really help solve some problems, both with the installation itself and with various issues that could come up in...

I just had a Pentair Intelliflo VS installed and am surprised by how loud it is. Unless I run it at low speeds (1750 RPM or so) it makes a "tone" that is very noticeable even from the other side of the patio. It doesn't really sound like something is "wrong," and the installer didn't indicate...

My Pentair Intelliflo VS always ramps up to max speed when it starts even if it's fully primed. According to the manual, this shouldn't be happening. This is what the manual says: The priming feature ramps the pump to 1800 RPM and pauses for three (3) seconds. If there is sufficient water...

I've been using my Kreepy Krauly by connecting it to my skimmer via a Vac-Mate (which gives me the ability to balance flow and I retain a bit of skimming action via the "half-weir.") One of the main problems with this setup is that I end up needing a VERY long Kreepy hose (15 sections I...

I've noticed a pattern recently where when I clean my DE filter (Purex 60 sq ft) and charge the filter with Fiber Clear (rather than DE), my filter no longer pushes the excess air out the bleed tube for several weeks. My Kreepy Krauly slowly pulls in air through the tube, so my filter ends up...

So what does it mean when you still see a significant pH rise in winter when the water is generally pretty cold (40's to 50's)? My pH still rises by 0.4 every week even though it's as cold as it ever gets in my area right now (Los Angeles area.) I let it rise to 7.8, then I knock it back down...

I have a constant rise in pH such that I'm having to put acid doses in the pool at least a couple times a week. I'm using a combination of pucks and liquid chlorine -- just enough pucks to keep things "leveled out" and to reduce the amount of times I have to add liquid Cl. The pH is a little...

I read that if the TA is too high it can lead to the pH creeping up, but I'm curious if pH rise can also be caused by having the TA to low. My pH is constantly going up -- I have to add a does of acid (i.e. to drop pH 1 ppm) at least twice a week if not more to keep it at 7.4. My plaster is...