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We were late opening our pool this year due to a May vacation. After removing the cover we found many leaves had made their way into the pool over winter. My husband insisted on vacuuming every speck of dirt out before starting up the chlorinator. Two weeks later... he still hasn't dumped salt...

Our Pentair IC40 has quit. No lights at all. This summer is it's 10th season. I'm assuming it is a goner, so we need to replace it asap. What are the latest SWGs that would be great for our 18,000 gallon AGP? I'm looking at CircuPool, which is a brand I'm unfamiliar with, but gets good reviews...

We plan to replace the liner on our 28' AGP early next spring. We also need to check the interior wall for damage because the outside of the wall is showing multiple rust places (photos attached). Is it ok to leave the pool 2/3 full and uncovered over the winter? Once we are ready to remove the...

Got the pool going a couple of weeks ago. Tested the water for free chlorine using the Chlorine Drop Test. We've used this method for 6 years. This time, after adding the R-870 powder, the water did not turn pink. The powder was past it's expiration date, so I figured it had gone bad. Ordered...

Hayward Powerflo Matrix 2spd pump - just purchased in May 2019. The plug on the power cord looks fried. What could have happened and how can I fix it? The GFCI outlet it was plugged into is fine.

Does anyone know what type of plumbing I need to attach to the Hayward PowerFlo Matrix? We just got a new pump and have realized we have no idea what we need to plumb it properly coming right out of the pump. I went to Home Depot & Lowes today thinking it would be obvious what type of unions...

After struggling with leaky hoses for years, I'd like to attempt hard-plumbing our pool this year. This is new territory for me. I've attached an image of our previous setup. Seems like going from the skimmer to the pump will be pretty straightforward (PVC down, a 90º elbow, then PVC straight to...

Working on opening the pool this weekend... decided to dig out the rocks on the outside of the pool below the skimmer to check out what looked like some mild corrosion on the exterior pool wall. What I found has me in a near panic! (photos attached) What to do? Is this beyond DIY capabilities...

After cloudy water much of last summer, we have determined we need to replace the sand in our filter. Home Depot has pool filter sand for about $8 for a 50 lb. bag. Lower has pool filter sand for $23 for a 25 lb. bag. Naturally, I'm inclined to get sand from Home Depot. Am I missing something...

I have been researching for weeks, trying to determine the best option for replacing our 1HP/2 Spd pump that died last year. We never used the low speed because it wouldn't generate enough flow for our chlorinator. Our electrical supply is 115v, so I can't really go with a variable speed pump...

After 5 years, our Pentair Optiflo (2 Spd, 1 hp) died at the end of last season and I have been trying to determine the best options for replacing it. I had originally chosen a 2 speed pump due to strong recommendations on TFP and elsewhere. However, we wound up never using the low speed...

We have noticed in the past week that our pool's chlorine level was low, so we upped the percentage on our ic40 SWCG. Next time we looked at the ic40, the chlorine output had kicked back to a lower percentage without us having touched it. This has happened several times this week. Any idea what...

Our Pentair Optiflo pump has been leaking. Yesterday, while cleaning the rim of the pump pot, I noticed a crack around the rim where the lid attaches. I feel sure that is from my husband over-tightening the lid. Is there some type of product I can use to seal this crack?

We just returned from vacation. Left the pool pump and chlorine generator on a timer. Things were a bit dirty when we returned but seemed fine. Since we returned, the hose from the pump to the filter has popped off 3 times. What could be causing this? We've never had this problem before. How can...

We have a partial deck around our pool. There is no space between the deck and the pool rails for the cover to fit through. Last year, our first as above ground pool owners, our winter pool cover solution did not work very well. We hung gallon jugs of water from the cover grommets on the open...

We are preparing to close our saltwater AGP for the first time. I have read the instructions in pool school and various other pool articles. All of them say to bring the pool water to "shock" level. However, none of them explain what the heck "shock level" is. Currently our FC is about double...

Getting prepared to close down the pool after our first season. I do not have a winter cover yet and thought I would get some advice before ordering. How are these installed on a pool with a partial deck (photo attached)? If I order a cover for a 28' pool, how much larger is the cover? Any...

Is the IntelliChlor supposed to be wired directly to the pump? We had an electrician install the wiring for our new above ground pool last week. He added a cord to the Intellichlor system so that it plugs into the outlet separately from the pump (photo attached). After reading the manual to get...

We had an above ground pool installed just over a week ago. Still trying to figure out everything. Today I noticed the pump basket needed to be cleaned out. But there is no way to release the water pressure going in to the pump. There is no valve between the skimmer and the pump. I opened the...

Can some of you pool-knowledgeable folks please walk me through the steps I need to take in opening my new pool? The pool was installed this past Monday. It is now filled with water halfway up the skimmer. I purchased a 12 ga. extension cord to run the pump until the electrician comes next week...

Pool was installed Monday. Now I'm overwhelmed with what to do next. We still need electricity at the pool site. How long can I wait until I start the pump and filter? Should I go ahead and run an extension cord until we can get an electrician out here? Someone told me using an extension cord...

After months of planning and researching the pool is being installed tomorrow! I am anxious and nervous. I keep asking myself questions: Did I order everything he'll need for the install? How will I know if he installs something wrong? On and on and on. I do have a couple of questions for you...

As my finger hovered above the "click to order" button I decided I would feel better if I got one final approval from you guys first. Here's what I'm about to order: 28' Sharkline Matrix AGP Pentair SD80 sand filter Pentair Optiflo 1HP/2spd pump Pentair Intellichlor IC40 salt system 25gauge...

Getting ready to order my pool and equipment. Just noticed the pump I had decided on - Pentair Dynamo 1hp/2spd - comes without a cord. Okay, maybe I am just clueless, but why would you want a pump without a cord? I can't find the same Pentair Dynamo with cord. Thinking about going with a Hayward...

Okay, so I've decided on the pool and equipment, now on to hiring someone to install. I've talked to a few people already and it has me worried about finding someone who will do the job right. Some guys give really vague information, some never return calls, some say they don't need to look at...

Still working on the perfect equipment for our upcoming install. Any opinions on which type of liner is best? Overlap, beaded or unibead? I haven't ordered anything yet, but unless I change my mind (again) it will be a 28' Matrix, Pentair SD80 filter, Pentair 1 hp/2spd pump, Intellichlor...

Getting close to ordering our first pool and equipment. The more I research about pumps and filters, the more confused I get. Do you have any recommendations for a pump & filter for a 28' Sharkline Matrix? Is it best to buy the pump and filter separately or sold as a combo? I have been leaning...

We are planning to have an above ground pool installed this spring. I have researched for months and talked to every local pool company I could find. After changing my preferences about 5 times, I think I've finally made a decision. Rather than purchase a package from a local company, I've...