Greetings to all.
My name is James, or Jim, or Jimbob... doesn't really matter so long as it's not "late for dinner."
I'm on my fourth pool as either a homeowner or renter. First pool was above ground, vinyl lined, chlorine in the northern (Michigan) climate. Second pool was an in-ground gunite pool with a SWG in Florida. My third and fourth pools are running concurrently in my current rented home as well as the home I just purchased; both are in-ground gunite on standard chlorine.
For my first pool up north, I never worried about much except chlorine and pH. Somehow, I managed to succeed despite my lack of knowledge.
My second pool with the SWG was great, though I still largely succeeded "despite myself." I didn't really know what I was doing but a general distrust of contractors combined with my electrical engineering background and DIY approach to most things managed to succeed.
For my 3rd pool, in my current rented home, we actually have a pool company that is included with our rent. I have a deal worked out with the pool tech that he will not add tabs to the chlorine in-line feeder, only liquid chlorine. He does his thing once a week and he leaves a 2.5G jug of pool chlorine for me to use on my own in between . Have never had a better looking pool ; using largely what I have learned here as a troll for the past two years. Admittedly, I was relying on pool store measurements, but making my own decisions based off of those measurements.
For my 4th pool, on the home we just purchased, it is a work in progress, though already light years ahead of where it was just three weeks ago. When we closed on the purchase in late February, there was a build-up of significant organic matter on the bottom of the pool, though it was still largely "clear." That said, Chlorine was at 0 and pH was at 7.0. I added a suction-based MX-6 pool cleaner to the pool, replaced a clogged cartridge filter (was running at 28 psi with the old one and now at 7-9 with the new one and after weekly cleanings), then I SLAM'ed it. I've still been relying on pool store measurements until today (we have a GREAT pool store close by) but today, I finally used my first ever TF-100 test kit.
I am pleased to say that the numbers I measured are not much different from those the pool store provided. That said, I am more determined that ever to acquire only hardware and chlorine from the pool store, following the trouble-free method otherwise.
Using my newly-acquired TF-100 today, I can see that I'm ready to be done SLAMing and let the FC drift back down to target range.
Numbers are as follows:
pH = 7.6
FC = 20.5
CC = 0 (yay!)
CH = 450 (a bit high, not sure what the previous owner did or did not do; will get lowered by replacement water from use)
TA = 100
CYA = 50
It felt very good to measure my own complete set of measurements for the new pool and using that information, I now know I can let the FC drift to normal; then supplement accordingly; all while enjoying a very sparkly, blue, pool, that reached 78F today.
I cannot say enough for what I have learned here as a troll.
~JimbobT
My name is James, or Jim, or Jimbob... doesn't really matter so long as it's not "late for dinner."
I'm on my fourth pool as either a homeowner or renter. First pool was above ground, vinyl lined, chlorine in the northern (Michigan) climate. Second pool was an in-ground gunite pool with a SWG in Florida. My third and fourth pools are running concurrently in my current rented home as well as the home I just purchased; both are in-ground gunite on standard chlorine.
For my first pool up north, I never worried about much except chlorine and pH. Somehow, I managed to succeed despite my lack of knowledge.
My second pool with the SWG was great, though I still largely succeeded "despite myself." I didn't really know what I was doing but a general distrust of contractors combined with my electrical engineering background and DIY approach to most things managed to succeed.
For my 3rd pool, in my current rented home, we actually have a pool company that is included with our rent. I have a deal worked out with the pool tech that he will not add tabs to the chlorine in-line feeder, only liquid chlorine. He does his thing once a week and he leaves a 2.5G jug of pool chlorine for me to use on my own in between . Have never had a better looking pool ; using largely what I have learned here as a troll for the past two years. Admittedly, I was relying on pool store measurements, but making my own decisions based off of those measurements.
For my 4th pool, on the home we just purchased, it is a work in progress, though already light years ahead of where it was just three weeks ago. When we closed on the purchase in late February, there was a build-up of significant organic matter on the bottom of the pool, though it was still largely "clear." That said, Chlorine was at 0 and pH was at 7.0. I added a suction-based MX-6 pool cleaner to the pool, replaced a clogged cartridge filter (was running at 28 psi with the old one and now at 7-9 with the new one and after weekly cleanings), then I SLAM'ed it. I've still been relying on pool store measurements until today (we have a GREAT pool store close by) but today, I finally used my first ever TF-100 test kit.
I am pleased to say that the numbers I measured are not much different from those the pool store provided. That said, I am more determined that ever to acquire only hardware and chlorine from the pool store, following the trouble-free method otherwise.
Using my newly-acquired TF-100 today, I can see that I'm ready to be done SLAMing and let the FC drift back down to target range.
Numbers are as follows:
pH = 7.6
FC = 20.5
CC = 0 (yay!)
CH = 450 (a bit high, not sure what the previous owner did or did not do; will get lowered by replacement water from use)
TA = 100
CYA = 50
It felt very good to measure my own complete set of measurements for the new pool and using that information, I now know I can let the FC drift to normal; then supplement accordingly; all while enjoying a very sparkly, blue, pool, that reached 78F today.
I cannot say enough for what I have learned here as a troll.
~JimbobT
