Search results

  1. M

    Threaded vs. slip connections for plumbing

    I had three expensive valves ($40 each) and I used threaded connections near them so they could be replaced easily. I used slip everywhere else, because elbows and pipe are cheap. Some people will tell you to use lots of teflon tape, but the manufacturers caution against using too much because...
  2. M

    Liquidator installed below pool level

    Still going strong, no overflows! Two weeks ago I filled the liquidator with 8 gallons of 10% CL. My pool has been maintaining a constant 3-5ppm chlorine with NO tweaking or interfering from me at all. (Flow meter is at about 4, pump runs 12 hours/day) Today the CL finally ran empty, and I...
  3. M

    Concrete in wedding cake steps? Bad idea?

    I don't have a shelf or space under the bottom step on which to rest weights. The bottom is wide open. The ballast compartments bolt to the inside of the steps and removing them is not convenient, because you need a screwdriver on the outside and a wrench on the underside. Installing the...
  4. M

    Concrete in wedding cake steps? Bad idea?

    I wish I knew the difference.....LOL, it is a translucent slightly flexible plastic...the same stuff my kayak is made of if that makes any sense
  5. M

    Concrete in wedding cake steps? Bad idea?

    My steps do not have a ballast box or place to put bricks or boulders. They have hollow compartments with a small hole for filling (pea gravel is recommended) They are bolted to the underside and are removable, but difficult to do under water. I'm just trying to decide what to fill them with...
  6. M

    Liquidator installed below pool level

    Yes, I put the filter immediately after the tank, between the tank and the check valve. It is working GLORIOUSLY now, I have no complaints. It literally has become a trouble free pool. I am also using less chlorine than ever before. I am looking forward to seeing your results when you get...
  7. M

    !8 round general daily bleach amount to start with

    She just needs to understand that chlorine is chlorine. The only chemical difference between bleach and pucks is the the stuff that is added to it, the active ingredient is the same. Its funny how some people fear bleach....it is the acid that freaks out my family
  8. M

    How to convince my wife and FIL that BBB is the way to go

    The most convincing argument.....He/she who maintains the pool makes all the rules........
  9. M

    Concrete in wedding cake steps? Bad idea?

    Currently my wedding cake steps weight compartments are filled with pea gravel and water. I am considering filling them with quickcrete or portland cement to make them a bit heavier, and to reduce potential for spillage and algae growth inside compartments. Good idea? Bad Idea? If I do this...
  10. M

    Fountain

    Can't picture what you are talking about, but the first thing I think of when you talk about plastic grate is this: http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/Pr ... ctId=20251 What about milk crates or plastic pallets like the type used to hold groups of 2 liter bottles (that is what I use to keep...
  11. M

    Individual Pucks at Wal-Mart?

    Can't live without them! Punch a hole in the plastic wrapper, tie a string to it and drop it inside your wedding cake steps to keep algae at bay. (Also, some people use them for spas or ponds)
  12. M

    Another Pool Alarm Option

    I'm with you Bear. Another recent poster was contemplating safety measures for his pool and I seriously warned him he needed the fence AND the alarm....BUT he had an infant in the home and lived in a subdivision. Pool safety measures are designed to keep infants, toddlers and small children...
  13. M

    Plumbing + Renovation

    Redneck Model T fountain, made out of scrap PVC. Goes like this: male threaded fitting screws into the return>elbow>1' of pvc>tee>two 1' pieces of PVC>2 caps. Drill 1/8" holes as needed/desired for a truly customized effect
  14. M

    Plumbing + Renovation

    I did something a little different....I installed an extra return fitting and plumbed it with a three way valve enabling me to swith it to either suction OR pressure. This way, I can use it as either a dedicated vacuum port, a dedicated pressure cleaner port, a fountain, OR just another return...
  15. M

    Is my local pool store wrong?

    Yes, your pool store is wrong. These results are erratic and not at all consistent with what you have been doing to your pool. Evidence: TA dropped from 100 to 60 after adding sodium bicarbonate, not possible Evidence: CH dropped from 225 to 100 after adding sodium bicarbonate, then went...
  16. M

    Homemade Acid OR Chlorine Injection System

    I have built one of these mostly according to Mark's plan, and I thought I'd share my "mods" in case it helps someone else. So far it seems to be working well, but I'm still testing: Buttons: My Home Depot doesn't carry the red/black buttons, and Lowes didn't have anything similar. I bought...
  17. M

    Liquidator installed below pool level

    Update: Going on 5 days now with the latest configuration. I have had ONE overflow on day 3. (Normal for me 1 to 3 overflows per day). I immediately took the setup apart and found my check valve allowing air both ways. I took it apart and found a couple grains of grit (looked like zeobrite)...
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  19. M

    Another Pool Alarm Option

    I have a very similar situation, 10 acres is fenced around perimeter, but not around pool. Trespassers would have to overcome an electric fence and 7 dogs to get to the pool. My next door neighbors have a 25' deep pond! No fencing required for that! My pool is only 4' deep and my smallest...
  20. M

    Is shocking necessary.........

    The same article linked above includes the following paragraphs (below). I would agree that it is factually incorrect and extremely biased. The author even misuses child safety as a theme to convince the reader. Little Plastic baggies of granular pool shock are more hazardous to small...
  21. M

    deck for AGP

    With composite you can't easily overhang the edge of the pool because the decking is less rigid and needs support. With the IPE you could cantilever it over the top rail. It is important to make sure the liner can be replaced without destroying the deck, and how to do that best that will...
  22. M

    Need light recommendation for above ground pool

    Be aware that this type of hanging light will not hang on some pool designs. You need to remove the top rail, hang the light from the pool wall then reattach the top rail. My pool has plastic top rails that fit tightly over the liner channel, there is no way to hang the light and get the top...
  23. M

    Liquidator installed below pool level

    A couple lingering questions. DO we have the same check valve? (Mine is black with white threaded nipples attached, in the pics, Bama and BY's look more like the gray, one piece OEM type) Bama, your check valve appears to be down pretty low, with this new theory, why isn't yours overflowing?
  24. M

    Liquidator installed below pool level

    I have removed the second valve and it is still holding (9 hours now). So now my one check valve is about even with the water level in the LQ. The bottom of the flow meter is 2" above the liquidator lid. Looking at your picture and trying to make it similar, I would first move the flow meter...
  25. M

    Liquidator installed below pool level

    C'mon, all women have a "pool boy" fantasy. Buy her a nice float with a drink holder. Keep her drink filled while she floats and remind her that she looks more beautiful than the day you met.....:goodjob:
  26. M

    Can I maintain FC level with bleach?

    The Liquidator is not a pump. It is basically just a tank of chlorine and water, with a tubing/float/valve system that diverts some pool water through it, constantly adding a very dilute chlorine/water mixture to your pipes. It should not affect your pool or equipment warranties any more than...
  27. M

    Liquidator installed below pool level

    Up for my 2:00 am inspection, still no overflow after 64 hours. I'm going to call this a preliminary success, since it is the first setup that has made it 24 hours without an overflow. Next test (starting now): Same setup as above, but I have removed one of the two check valves in series.
  28. M

    Liquidator installed below pool level

    Did you mean "CAN'T believe it hasn't overflowed yet?" Does it make any sense to you how this would fix it? No overflows yet going on 3 days. I'm afraid to touch anything....but when I do my next test will be to take one of the valves out. Barnyard, can you try something similar and see if...
  29. M

    question about T/A.

    Either you have a problem with your test kit/procedures, or the acid isn't 20 baume muriatic acid. Your pH may have recovered, but your TA should have lowered some. I wouldn't add more than 32 oz acid at a time..... Wait 30 minutes and test. As your TA comes into range, it will take less...
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