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  1. AftonJeeper

    Backyard heaters

    I think an infrared heater would work best. I use ceiling mounted gas ones in my shop. You can feel the warmth from them even on the coldest days. Our ceilings are 20’ throughout the shop.
  2. AftonJeeper

    Pool closing

    The polyquat is not necessary. None of the other items you mentioned would help you in the long run. You really just need to get your water balanced and raise your FC to slam level. I’ve followed the advice here for 3+ years and always open a crystal clear pool in the spring. I do wait until...
  3. AftonJeeper

    Ready to start TFP with a SLAM

    Make the switch to liquid chlorine. Add half a gallon a day until your test kit arrives.
  4. AftonJeeper

    Just pulled back the cover.

    I haven’t been by in a while but still following the advice of TFP. Thanks to all the mods and faithful contributors for all the advice and encouragement this forum provides. This is my third year opening to a crystal clear pool. Chlorine is at 3.5ppm but it should rise once I get the water...
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    87E1735C-F217-45A9-A074-74E05559C5D1.jpeg

  6. AftonJeeper

    Adding pool water from well

    I use a filter similar to this one: Amazon.com: FLOW-PRO 1M-4PK 1-Micron Sediment Water Filter Cartridge, 4-Pack: Home Improvement No issues with stains over the last 2 years.
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    IMG_1442.jpg

  8. AftonJeeper

    Planning to do my own chems for opening question

    Once you are done topping off the pool bring a sample in and let it warm up to 70° or so and run the CYA test. Remember that you will need to be outside with your back to the sun to get the most accurate results. Report back your findings and we can guide you from there.
  9. AftonJeeper

    Planning to do my own chems for opening question

    I'd buy a couple gallons of liquid chlorine (bleach) and a gallon of muriatic acid. Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes all carry what you need. Some local pool stores sell liquid chlorine in refillable 1 or 2.5 gallon containers. Will this be a fresh fill or will you just be topping it off from last...
  10. AftonJeeper

    pool stains

    Have you read the pool school section on stains? Pool School - Metals in the Water and Metal Stains With the green swamp then finding the stains you describe I would guess it was related to the algae and should be an organic stain. How are you testing and maintaining your pool? Pool School...
  11. AftonJeeper

    New member - new pool!

    Welcome to the forum! Nice set up you have there. My pool is still a frozen block of ice with a fresh 12+" on snow on top. SWG pools are great and easy to maintain. Make sure you get a quality test kit like the TF-100 from tftestkits.net or the Taylor K2006c. I highly recommend the magnetic...
  12. AftonJeeper

    New Member Planning on becoming Pool Owner for Kids to Enjoy.

    I have no direct experience with above ground pools but I seem to remember some folks using a foam pad or insulation board between the ground and the pool. You may want to set the grass, put down some insulation/foam and then set up the pool.
  13. AftonJeeper

    Pool pump upgrade

    I have no experience with two speed pumps but I know Pentair, Hayward, and Jandy all make quality pumps. For a few $$ more you could get yourself a variable speed pump. Check with your utility company, they may offer a rebate on dual and variable speed pumps. Swimming Pool Pumps - Inground...
  14. AftonJeeper

    Phosphates, TDS, CYA, FC TC are high

    Welcome to the forum! A couple things you don't need to worry about in a typical pool are the total dissolved solids and phosphates. Most people here rely on their own test results because we have found pool store testing to be inaccurate and unreliable. I use the TF-100 from tftestkits.net...
  15. AftonJeeper

    looking for new heater

    Raypak is said to make some of the best heaters out there. What build up is destroying your heaters? Most on here report 10-15 years before repairs aren't worth it anymore.
  16. AftonJeeper

    Need Help with a Whisperflo that pops the breaker

    The wet end of the pump could have been damaged and won't allow the impeller to spin freely once hooked up to the motor.
  17. AftonJeeper

    chemicals in order

    Is this a new pool or new to you pool? You will want to manage your pH and Chlorine (FC) daily, the rest you can work on weekly or monthly. Have you read this yet? We highly recommend using only liquid chlorine (bleach). All the solid forms of chlorine add something else to your water you...
  18. AftonJeeper

    Using aluminum sulphate

    Floc's aren't normally used for things like dirt. A manual vacuum to waste or a robot should be able to clean up landscape debris just fine. If you ever use a floc make sure it does not get into your filter.
  19. AftonJeeper

    Ozone - Are there any benefits?

    The ozone and UV systems are the two biggest rip offs builders offer. I bought the UV system... With indoor pools there are some benefits to those systems. For outdoor pools there really is no benefit. Congrats on the new pool an new test kit!
  20. AftonJeeper

    New (soon to be as soon as it stops snowing) Pool Owners!

    Welcome to the forum. The snow seems like it won't stop this year. I opened our pool last year on 4/4, today the autocover has at least 3 inches of ice/snow on it. Hopefully we'll get back to average next week. Get the robot. We have a stainless steal hoop with a clear backboard that the...
  21. AftonJeeper

    partial drain vinyl liner-temperature question

    I haven't heard anything about temps and a vinyl liner (besides that other thread you are talking about). The only situation I think would be an issue is below or close to freezing. Hopefully one of our builders chimes in.
  22. AftonJeeper

    Pool Stays Cloudy/Green

    Sounds like you are doing great. Testing and dosing as often as you can will speed up the slam. Keep up the good work!
  23. AftonJeeper

    Re-intro with a few issues

    Welcome Back! The TF100 can be bought here: TF-100 Test Kit â„¢ I would also recommend a speed stir. Makes testing much quicker/easier. SpeedStir Magnetic Stirrer Sorry, Can't help you with the polaris.
  24. AftonJeeper

    Cracked suction line

    Not that I am aware of. If it is just the main drain you can close that line off, many pools don't have working main drains.
  25. AftonJeeper

    Cracked suction line

    Are you losing any water? When the water sits in the pipes for a few days it could be algae starting to grow. It's recommended you run your pump for a little while everyday unless the pool is closed/winterized.
  26. AftonJeeper

    Pool Stays Cloudy/Green

    Could be some sediment from your filter that got pushed through when you restarted the pump. I'm assuming it stopped shortly after you started the pump.
  27. AftonJeeper

    What measuring device do you all use?

    Edit: Pyrex would work good. I don't blame you for not wanting to handle it, that's why I pour straight from the jug. What is your TA? Have you thought of adding borates?
  28. AftonJeeper

    main drain recently closed off, pool cleaner won't work since.

    How many skimmers do you have? Is there a booster pump you turn on for the cleaner? When you turn the cleaner on have you looked in the skimmer basket to see if water is swirling around and letting air into the line? You might try filling the pool up higher than 1/2 way up the skimmer because...
  29. AftonJeeper

    Pentair Intelliflo Var Speed won't start up automatically in the morning

    Does the pump have a display that says "display not active"? If it doesn't it could be in "Service Mode" on the solar touch control panel.
  30. AftonJeeper

    What measuring device do you all use?

    Is this for the pool in your signature? 32oz of MA would move your pH only .1. I typically use a gallon at a time, wait for it to rise to 7.8 or 8 and bring it down to 7.2. Smaller pools I see having this issue moreso. To answer the question, I've seen people report using plastic measuring...