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I am not sure where the best place for this question is... I have had a pool at home since 2004 and have been doing BBB since 2006. Although I don't consider myself an expert, I am comfortable explaining BBB to others as well as other pool chemistry questions. Several months ago I accepted a...

While soaking up Vitamin D yesterday, I started thinking about what age would be appropriate for the kids to be in the pool without a parent/responsible adult out there too. I know that this is highly subjective based on each kid, but what age did you (with older kids) think it was OK? For...

Not sure the best place for this question, but what causes stiff hair after swimming? I have tried to narrow it down to what causes it, but I have been unsuccessful. My girls hair is always stiff after swimming - when they don't immediately wash their hair. This occurs in our home pool, and...

Long story short.....we used to have an Aqualuminator installed in the return. We never used the light because we don't like fighting the mosquitoes at night when swimming. I always hated trying to fill the vacuum hose with the light fixture, so we decided to take out the light fixture and put...

I have used the Intex SWG for 2 seasons. This year I keep getting a low salt reading so it won't produce chlorine. When testing my salt, it actually reads on the high side so I know that isn't the problem. I checked the wiring connections and all is good. I checked the plates and there is no...

I am nearing the end of my algae battle so I am doing an overnight test. I am a bit concerned about how to make the test accurate each time. Please understand that I have been using the FAS-DPD titration of testing for 5 years so I am comfortable with the process, but...... In a past test...

We finally have opened the pool this year, but things are going anything but smooth. We bought a new pump last summer - the one we had (2.0 hp) would shut off when it rained and then wouldn't work for several hours, then would work again. After we purchased it, we had less rain and we ended...

I don't use a lot of liquid chlorine, but when I need it I want to get the best price for the % of chlorine. In the past I have used mostly Clorox, which I understand in 6%. I can get 15% Ch for $3.99/gal at Menards or 12.5% for $3.61/gal or 10% for $18.55/5gal. Clorox is $2.49 for 182oz at...

I think the severe thunderstorms we had overnight fried the pump. You can see our set up in my signature. Some have said this pump was oversized to begin with. What would you replace it with?

We pulled the cover off yesterday and I took my first test readings this morning. We have not added anything except for water hauled in from the municipal water fill station. We created a frame using a ball, rope and nylon strapping to keep a mesh winter cover off the pool so we had no leaves...

In the instructions for the TA test it states when the green color changes to "red". Up until recently I never saw a red color - but pink instead. I have been doing this test for 4 years now and only ever saw pink. Recently we got our hot tub going again and now I occasionally see red - but...

I was just reading the "Water Balance for SWG" once again and got to the pH recommendation of 7.5-7.6 - stating that this was important. I have been running the SWG since the middle of June and I added borates in the middle of June. Ever since my pH has been steady at 7.2-7.5 - usually closer...

We finally got our hot tub repaired and filled with water. I have read the "How do I use Chlorine in my Spa (or poo)?" post a couple times and I have been keeping my AGP balanced well. First numbers straight from city water: FC = 2.5 CC = 0 pH = >8.2 TA = 180 CH = 150 First on my agenda was...

Hi all, We have an older hot tub that has been sitting empty for at least 2 years - I say empty, but it had some water in the seats that wasn't removed at some point in time. We are working to fix the leaks, rebuild the cabinet (needs new top boards), replace the foam insulation in the cabinet...

OK, I added the borates today by using MA & borax. Prior to the additions, my tests were: pH = 7.5 TA = 70 About 4 hours after the addition, my tests were: pH = 7.8 TA = 90 I used the pool calculator to determine how much of each I needed to add. According to the adding borates...

How much aeration does it take to bring up pH? I know this is a very difficult question to answer. I am trying to lower TA so that I can add borates. 3 days ago I brought my pH to 7.0 with MA. I have been aerating by having my return pointed up and I have a sump pump on the other side with a...

I think I understand all the other chemistry components of the water with a SWG, but I am not sure I understand the CH component. Everything I read says that CH and vinyl are not even an issue. Then the recommendations for the SWG is minimum CH of 150. My current CH level is 110. Do I need...

Up until this year, I have been using the test kit from Pool Solutions. This year I ordered new reagents and have been fighting a cloudy/algae pool. I ran out of R-0871 and ordered the FAS/DPD refill kit. This kit came with a graduated cylinder. When testing this evening, I used the "old"...

Again, this is probably somewhere so just point me in the right direction if it is.... Why does high FC levels make the pH level read high? Is the pH level really high or is it just temporarily an invalid result? My logical side can't wrap my mind around this concept. I would "think" that...

OK, we've goth the pump running. Still need 1 more load of water, but it will be in within the hour. Test results: FC = 0 CC = 0 TC = 0 pH = 8.2+ very bright pink CH = 150 TA = 160 CYA = 0 I went ahead and put 4 pounds CYA into the pool. I know I need to get up. Going to add bleach -...

I am sure this question has been answered somewhere, but I haven't found it yet. How much salt does using bleach add to the pool? baking soda? In the next couple weeks we will be adding salt to use the new SWG. We have been using BBB for several years now and will be using a lot of bleach...

We are in the process of opening our pool, but because of a lost screw we can't get everything hooked up and running quite yet. The water level is still below the skimmer and we won't be able to start filling until everything is hooked up. Hopefully this will be done today, but....it could be...

You all have me intrigued with the borates in the pool. I have a few questions though. We are going out of town soon and I was thinking of getting it going before we leave, however I cannot find a borate test kit/strips anywhere - not even when I do a google search for them. I can find the...

I hope someone can help me figure this out. Pool has been a nightmare this year. Have had algae earlier in the year that shock level of chlorine stopped. Weather has been tough on the usage of the pool and it barely is warm enough to swim in now that it is August. I admit that I don't check...