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So not even a cover over the winter? I've drained to below the returns the last few years and attempted to cover, but then dealing with the mess on the cover from leaves etc is a pain. So maybe you have something going there - just leave it uncovered alltogether! I sort of feel like I have...

Yes, your CYA could be substantially higher. Better to check with the diluted test first to see where you're really at!

Not sure if allowed - please delete if not. But if you use an R-0014 compatible comparator and could use a fresh 22 mL bottle (exp 07/24) or R-0014 phenol red - let me know, can ship it to you at cost. I bought the wrong ph indicator as part of a refill set so can't really return, but would...

I thought the 'floater' you see was a surface skimmer?

Probably a fair point. I would add that my Intex AGP with barely adequate sand filter probably suffers from borderline circulation

I find this to be key - especially when away from the pool for a week plus. Even though FC is maintained by my SWCG and doesnt appear to drop below minimum, if the pool is not disturbed at all (no swimming/brushing), algae will still take hold.

Agree with @Bperry - I think you flirted with a low chlorine level too much. With a bit of uncertainty in your CYA measurements (we all struggle with that) I suspect you let algae get a toehold. You're catching it early and your CYA is not too high, I'd check CYA and pH and get your FC up to...

Try this: https://www.troublefreepool.com/wiki/index.php?title=Chlorine_Date_Code_Decoder

Looks good - you're already back below SLAM level. Don't sweat the quick blip to 35, just add a bit less next time until you get it dialed in, and test as often as you can. You're doing great, hope you got that espresso (although I would stay away from them at night!)

The drop test with FAS-PDP DOES measure FC (free chlorine) and does it most accurately. That's the test you should be using 90% of the time. Not sure where you get the 'weekly' interval from - you should be measuring more frequently, probably daily, while you get to know your pool. @SoCalTFP...

24 is out of range for 'typical' maintenance, but is the correct level for your CYA to do a slam. Keeping it at 10 won't do much, you really need to aim for that 24! If water is (relatively) cheap for you, might still want to consider another 50% exchange to lower down your CYA and get rid of...

I've had pretty good luck with using a bit of filter-fiber stuff if that's available to you. Just watch that filter pressure and back-wash as needed.

I have a very similar setup to yours and agree with @Texas Splash . In my first year of pool ownership, I had the exact same question as you (it's probaby on the forum somewhere) and assumed my pump was bad. Turns out it was a water chemistry problem after all. I had to do frequent backwashes...

Odd you CYA went up - did you add anything?? That's going to make your SLAM target higher.

Not sure what you mean by 'factory reset'. Most Intex units I've seen are relatively 'dumb' - they'll just start at the same time each day and run for the number of hours you have set. So if you want yours to start at 10 am and run for 10 hours - you'll have to manually start it at 10 am, and...

Sounds like by 'shock' you intend to run your SWCG non-stop for 36 hours or so. While this can work - SWCGs aren't great at increasing your FC, but are great at maintaining. I always keep a gallon or two of liquid chlorine at hand for just these occasions, just takes a few minutes to add the...

Let us know when you decide and what you end up doing!

Sounds like we have very similar setups. I had the same concern with the barely adequate pump/filter that came with my Intex, so I upgraded to the next size - the 12" sand filter with increased flowrate and has the pre-filter basket. I also updated my returns to a full 1.5" and some rigid PVC...

So I've been curious about this point for a few seasons - and maybe this is where all pools are different. For my small 5000 gallon above-ground pool, I only have an SWCG that is on or off - and as such I only need to run it 3 to 4 hours per day depending on time of year. I don't really...

Got a new 1.5" one-piece hose and vacuum head - worked much better! Not sure the pump was 'starved' per se with the old setup, but new setup is definitely better.

I know! Packs quite the punch :)

Finally found the solar heater I need. What do you think? Should I get 1 (or 100) of these :)

It's my understanding (and I may be wrong here) that more salt doesn't necessarily mean better output from your SWCG. It's either producing or its not. Maybe there's an incremental benefit, but I don't think a few 100 ppm of salt should make the difference. 24 hours should be plenty though...

Well, closing each inlet while in filter mode works just fine - no sucking of air or starving the pump. The vacuum hose I do have is the crappy Intex-supplied hose with several sections - I wouldn't be surprised if some air is sucked in while bobbing on top of the pool. I've been wanting to...

I'm suspicious the long 1.25" vacuum hose might be too restrictive. I did upgrade the pump last year to a more powerful pump/filter, I don't believe I had this issue prior to that? I'll try closing one inlet during normal pump operation and see what that does (eliminates the long vacuum hose...

No I have not. I have it mostly hard-plumbed with 1.5" PVC. There's just a small strecth of flex hose to the pump, I haven't noticed it collapsing but will take a good look.

I modified my Intex pool with two 1.5" inlets to the pump. I don't have a skimmer - so when suction vacuuming the pool, I hook the vacuum up to one of those inlets, and attempt to close the other. When I do so, however, the pump gets starved and ultimately loses pressure. I have to crack open...

And you're flirting with FC being too high to trust the pH test, might be skewing the colors.

Seems high to me too - @IceShadow just documented his own install of an IC60 here: IceShadow - SWCG Thread I believe he paid $1750 for the cell + power system. If you're relatively handy, it's not that hard an install. The IntelliPh monitoring system is not necessary. If you're comfortable...