OH I would SO use DE to speed the clearing up---------wait what color is your water now? Any green at all anymore?
Kim:cat:
Kim:cat:
Yet another first-timer with no clue what he's doing...
- Thread starter Scout101
- Start date
I cheated a tiny bit and put a little clarifier in there. Just a half dose. And this morning, I saw the bottom of the deep end for the first time! 2 main drains, and they appear to be safety-compliant, so that's good news. Shallow end looks pretty much perfect, deep end looks decent. Looked for DE, none of the local places I checked had it, and didn't feel like driving far enough to check the pool store 30 min down the road. Maybe I'll grab a little today if I can find some.
I have a hard time saying on the color, as so much green around messing with reflection and such. I don't think there's any green, but maybe somewhere in the Caribbean blue with hint of green sort of color, hard to describe. But fine when looking down on it. And don't have a deep blue liner, so that's not helping with the color contrast like some others would.
Either way, going to just keep the bleach up and let it ride a few more days, will see where it goes. Deep end isn't perfect yet, but can make out all of the details and the drains/angles, so definite improvement!
- - - Updated - - -
And just to get an entertaining side by side, when I opened on May 4th:
I have a hard time saying on the color, as so much green around messing with reflection and such. I don't think there's any green, but maybe somewhere in the Caribbean blue with hint of green sort of color, hard to describe. But fine when looking down on it. And don't have a deep blue liner, so that's not helping with the color contrast like some others would.
Either way, going to just keep the bleach up and let it ride a few more days, will see where it goes. Deep end isn't perfect yet, but can make out all of the details and the drains/angles, so definite improvement!
- - - Updated - - -
And just to get an entertaining side by side, when I opened on May 4th:
Nice job! You could look into using a cellulose product like Fiber Clear instead of DE. The plus to cellulose is that it's is not carcinogenic like DE so backwashing will will not spread cancer around the neighborhood. Just my 2 cents
How much DE are we talking about, if I decide to add a little to wrap up the SLAM? I know I saw the 'add until pressure goes up 1 PSI', but roughly how much are we talking? And pre-mix it in water before adding to skimmer?
Going away for the weekend, would love to have this set to the point where I don't have the filter running 24/7 by Friday if possible.
Can clearly see all the details in the deep end at this point, just still a little cloudy in parts. And a little of that may be sand from a small crack in the filter laterals, if I had to guess. (that's a project for later) Heavier bleach load moved things along nicely, and little shot of clarifier I gave it the other day seemed to help as well. Hoping with a little DE to grab the last small bits, it'll put me over the top.
Going away for the weekend, would love to have this set to the point where I don't have the filter running 24/7 by Friday if possible.
Can clearly see all the details in the deep end at this point, just still a little cloudy in parts. And a little of that may be sand from a small crack in the filter laterals, if I had to guess. (that's a project for later) Heavier bleach load moved things along nicely, and little shot of clarifier I gave it the other day seemed to help as well. Hoping with a little DE to grab the last small bits, it'll put me over the top.
Also, checked out the local pool stores yesterday (Leslie's and a NAMCO nearby), and this site has given me an odd perspective on them. Shocked at the amount of overpriced junk there, and the uninformed people lined up begging for it. If I'd have walked in there without knowing what you've all taught me so far, I'd have been in bad shape. Was looking for the DE bags (found a 10lb one for $10, not too bad) and doing general recon so I know what's available in an emergency.
Prices in general were pretty terrible. $4-5 bottles of bleach, just tons of buckets of chemicals you shouldn't use at all, $1100 robots that cost $700 online, etc. A couple reasonable things here and there, but just can't believe they stay in business like that; pretty much nothing that was a bargain (even by pool prices). Between what you can get at walmart/home depot/BJs, Amazon, and decent pool websites, just can't believe people spend money in there.
And got some sick entertainment out of eavesdropping on conversations. Being told to grab the bucket of chlorine instead of the guy that was picking up liquid, guy being handed a bunch of random algaecides because his pool was green when he opened it, PS guy pushing bags of his silver bullet shock treatment, just a train wreck.
My pool was about as bad as it gets when opening (black water, thick layer of junk on every surface, closed 3+ years, operated by an idiot with no pool experience), and it's just about all done in 3 weeks and nothing but bleach and a little stabilizer thus far.
Still nice to know they are there if I blow out a lateral or something on a Saturday and don't want to wait for delivery (plus things like buying sand or DE, I suppose), but doubt I'll be in there many more times in my lifetime. Thanks!
Prices in general were pretty terrible. $4-5 bottles of bleach, just tons of buckets of chemicals you shouldn't use at all, $1100 robots that cost $700 online, etc. A couple reasonable things here and there, but just can't believe they stay in business like that; pretty much nothing that was a bargain (even by pool prices). Between what you can get at walmart/home depot/BJs, Amazon, and decent pool websites, just can't believe people spend money in there.
And got some sick entertainment out of eavesdropping on conversations. Being told to grab the bucket of chlorine instead of the guy that was picking up liquid, guy being handed a bunch of random algaecides because his pool was green when he opened it, PS guy pushing bags of his silver bullet shock treatment, just a train wreck.
My pool was about as bad as it gets when opening (black water, thick layer of junk on every surface, closed 3+ years, operated by an idiot with no pool experience), and it's just about all done in 3 weeks and nothing but bleach and a little stabilizer thus far.
Still nice to know they are there if I blow out a lateral or something on a Saturday and don't want to wait for delivery (plus things like buying sand or DE, I suppose), but doubt I'll be in there many more times in my lifetime. Thanks!
It is amazing what a little bit of knowledge and some hands-on experience with customer focused methods can do for a trip to the pool store. I can't bear to go in my local pool store. It's like watching car crashes over and over again, unable to do much about it. Tried to buy stabilizer there once, "sales associate" led me to the alkalinity up powder. I said "No, I need cynanuric acid... stabilizer." They replied "Oh, I see." then promptly led me over to the muriatic acid. I walked out...
Thought on how much de to add? Shallow end pretty and sparkles, hint of cloud still at the deep end
It usually takes about 2-3 cups in my filter to get a 1 psi increase. I would start there. Your filter is larger so likely a bit more than that. By weight... that can't be more than half a pound. Likely less than that as it's very fluffy, low density powder.
Use care and be close by to baby sit for a couple of hours just in case. Better safe than sorry. If the pressure shoots up, turn off the pump then back wash.
Kim:cat:
Kim:cat:
I put about 2 solo cups worth into it. Held for a couple hours, when I went back to check before bed it had jumped a bit more, so backwashed it out. I'm CLOSE to the end of this phase. Shallow end is crystal clear and sparkles, deep end is pretty clear. going to hold it another couple days to see if I can lock it up for good, but am pretty much there. Not seeing FC loss overnight, but haven't done the formal test yet. Still a little bit of brown cloud/settled material when brushing, but really think that's sand at this point vice dead algae. Going to throw the robot in again tonight to make another pass, but pretty sure that's the problem. And will be a little bit before I can take the sand filter apart so willing to live with that short term. Likely also contributing to the slight lack of clarity in the deep end by the drains, I'd imagine. I can see the drains now from my second story window, 25-30 feet away from the pool side, so thinking clarity isn't too bad. But like I said, going to let it keep going for another couple days. Will be gone over the weekend, so hoping that will coincide with the couple days that FC needs to drift down from the 25 I've been holding at anyway, so shouldn't need additional attention during that time. After that, will find out if the salt cell works...
that said: when I'm done SLAM on Friday, should I just let it drift for the weekend, or try and adjust the other values before I leave? Don't want to come back and see it green after all this! Was also going to kick the timer in (on purpose, finally!) so I'm not running 24/7 while I'm gone. Would a couple 4-hour shots be enough, or should I be doing more? What are the best times for that? Assuming peak sun would be an important time to churn things up, and maybe once early evening before the sun sets? Longer, or different times?
Can I do any real testing on the salt cell, or just see if it appears to generate FC by checking the values myself? Or is this one of the things Leslie's may actually be useful for? Can't imagine what they charge for the replacement, but maybe the test is at least of value. Of course, if they are selling them, more likely to tell me I need a new one, I'd guess.
I've definitely got low salt, so gotta do something there before it will work anyway. Automation says 1200ppm, test strips TFTestKits sold me says about 2000ppm. Not loving the wide delta there, but could be the older salt cell not giving great readings, or the strips not being super accurate either, or somewhere in the middle. Just don't want to overshoot, but have to do enough for the salt cell to turn itself on, too. Also still not 100% sure of my pool volume, so that doesn't help. I've tried adjusting it a bit as I've watched the chlorine, but I haven't done strict before and 10 min after tests to really get a good reading of the effect of a bottle of bleach. So far, adjusting myself down from 40k to 35k, but still thinking that may be a little high. Need to do a couple back to back tests, but have been trying to make sure I don't run out of reagent as well considering the condition of the pool when I started. For both salt and CYA, plan was to add half of what I think I need, wait a bit, and retest before adding more. Don't want to overshoot on the chemicals that require draining the pool! rather do it in a few steps, as annoying as that is.
So, that's it for the moment. please let me know what you think of the couple questions/thoughts I threw out there, especially as it relates to leaving the pool alone for a couple days. Thanks!
that said: when I'm done SLAM on Friday, should I just let it drift for the weekend, or try and adjust the other values before I leave? Don't want to come back and see it green after all this! Was also going to kick the timer in (on purpose, finally!) so I'm not running 24/7 while I'm gone. Would a couple 4-hour shots be enough, or should I be doing more? What are the best times for that? Assuming peak sun would be an important time to churn things up, and maybe once early evening before the sun sets? Longer, or different times?
Can I do any real testing on the salt cell, or just see if it appears to generate FC by checking the values myself? Or is this one of the things Leslie's may actually be useful for? Can't imagine what they charge for the replacement, but maybe the test is at least of value. Of course, if they are selling them, more likely to tell me I need a new one, I'd guess.
I've definitely got low salt, so gotta do something there before it will work anyway. Automation says 1200ppm, test strips TFTestKits sold me says about 2000ppm. Not loving the wide delta there, but could be the older salt cell not giving great readings, or the strips not being super accurate either, or somewhere in the middle. Just don't want to overshoot, but have to do enough for the salt cell to turn itself on, too. Also still not 100% sure of my pool volume, so that doesn't help. I've tried adjusting it a bit as I've watched the chlorine, but I haven't done strict before and 10 min after tests to really get a good reading of the effect of a bottle of bleach. So far, adjusting myself down from 40k to 35k, but still thinking that may be a little high. Need to do a couple back to back tests, but have been trying to make sure I don't run out of reagent as well considering the condition of the pool when I started. For both salt and CYA, plan was to add half of what I think I need, wait a bit, and retest before adding more. Don't want to overshoot on the chemicals that require draining the pool! rather do it in a few steps, as annoying as that is.
So, that's it for the moment. please let me know what you think of the couple questions/thoughts I threw out there, especially as it relates to leaving the pool alone for a couple days. Thanks!
Just bumping this one, want to make sure I'm squared away for the end of the SLAM, coasting over the weekend, and then getting this thing up and stable for the season.
I know it's cold, but I'm jumping in as soon as the chlorine falls to more normal levels. Put tons of work (and some decent money) into this thing so far, and haven't even dipped a toe yet, so I'm going in!
I know it's cold, but I'm jumping in as soon as the chlorine falls to more normal levels. Put tons of work (and some decent money) into this thing so far, and haven't even dipped a toe yet, so I'm going in!
After I let it coast down this weekend, I think I will.
Anyway, does the rest seem reasonable? Keep SLAM up until I leave Friday, and just let it coast over the weekend and adjust the rest when i get back? What's a reasonable amount of time to run the timer for while I'm gone (with SWG still disabled)? Don't want to jam up the skimmers, lots of stuff dropping from the trees right now, plus pollen. Not helping my sparkle!
Anyway, does the rest seem reasonable? Keep SLAM up until I leave Friday, and just let it coast over the weekend and adjust the rest when i get back? What's a reasonable amount of time to run the timer for while I'm gone (with SWG still disabled)? Don't want to jam up the skimmers, lots of stuff dropping from the trees right now, plus pollen. Not helping my sparkle!
Do you have a main drain? If so I would direct most of the water to it so as to not worry about your skimmer. If no main drain think about how fast your skimmer has been filling up and go from there.
Kim:cat:
Kim:cat:
Yes, there's two of them, so I can essentially shut the skimmers off, or leave very low flow at least.
Water is clear, and passing OCLT, so going to just keep it artificially high until I leave tomorrow, and then let it coast and do a full chem check when I get back. From there, can work on dialing in the rest.
Water is clear, and passing OCLT, so going to just keep it artificially high until I leave tomorrow, and then let it coast and do a full chem check when I get back. From there, can work on dialing in the rest.
Am I ok to just leave it alone for the weekend, coasting down from SLAM value? Passed the OCLT, have set the pump to run in 2 4-hour spurts during the day/early evening. Haven't adjusted anything else yet, and don't have enough salt to try the salt cell for new FC generation. Ok to just leave it in this condition? Don't want to start over when I get back.
More annoyingly, when I get back, i'll have about 12 hours, and then on a plane and gone for another 3-4 days. So won't be able to spend the time to really dial it in until the 4th or 5th.
What's my best move for keeping things in good condition until then?
More annoyingly, when I get back, i'll have about 12 hours, and then on a plane and gone for another 3-4 days. So won't be able to spend the time to really dial it in until the 4th or 5th.
What's my best move for keeping things in good condition until then?
- Mar 24, 2014
- 2,455
- Pool Size
- 32000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool SJ-55
Is there anyone who can add bleach around the 1st when the pump is running. Leave them enough to bring it to SLAM level?
What was your last CYA test?
What was your last CYA test?
I would raise your FC back up to shock levels before you leave again for sure. Too bad you don't have salt to run the SWG yet... Your CYA is already 60 so floating pucks isn't a great idea but when you get the SWG running, if your CYA is at 70, that's still a good level. So you could use a few pucks while your gone, knowing that your CYA will creep up a bit more (use Effects of adding chemicals on Pool Math page to find out how much based on how many 8 oz tablets). Even if you didn't use pucks, you'll likely still be OK after 3-4 days if FC starts at shock level.
So: Yes, someone can be around to add a little bleach, but don't know that they'll run tests. Any real value in keeping near SLAM, if I have to let it drop from 24 (current SLAM value) down to 5ish for normal operation anyway? If I can just bring it back up into the low 20s on the 31st, should be ok by the evening of the 4th to do the rest, right?
I've got a couple hours on the 31st to try things, so will be at least trying to bring the salt up that evening, and can take a quick stab at the rest. just won't have too much time to play with it past that. Guess I can bring it high, get enough salt in to fire up the SWG, and then see if that helps me hold it? No idea if the SWG actually works, but decent enough time to test I guess. Thoughts on a percentage to shoot for, assuming 8 hours of run time? Again, don't know if it will work, and will be already high on FC, so it's more of a holding action at best.
CYA was 60 when I tested a week or so ago. Assuming in the 50-60 range (those tests are rough!), so while I need to add some CYA, need to do it more carefully and not over shoot, which is tough to do in a 'dump and run' approach. Can try and test on the 31st, add half of what I think I'll need, and see where that gets me when I get back, I guess.
I don't have a floater or pucks (previous owner didn't leave one, and everything here said don't use, so I didn't buy), plus SWG ought to more than cover me once I'm up and good.
Any of the other tests important to dial in more before I dump the 550-ish lbs of salt this thing is calling for? Salt cell says 1200, strips say around 1800, but shooting for 3400 either way, so going to take some serious salt.
Know I need to rerun prior to doing anything, but the pre-SLAM values were:
PH - 7
TA - 50
CH - 25
I've obviously changed CYA and FC, so didn't list those, but have around 60 CYA and know where I need to be on FC. Will obviously retest, but just as a rule of thumb so I know what I should be buying before I get home to do this chemistry experiment, it looks like I should be getting:
About 10 lbs of baking soda to bring TA to 70
Just under 5 lbs of washing soda to bring up PH to 7.6
CH doesn't matter for me with Vinyl and SWG
About 5 lbs of stabilizer to get me up to 75-80
15-16 bags of salt to hit 3400
Salt is way different between SWG reading and strip reading (1200-1800, 4 bag's difference), so will do that in a couple drops. How long do you have to wait between tests?
All seem reasonable?
I've got a couple hours on the 31st to try things, so will be at least trying to bring the salt up that evening, and can take a quick stab at the rest. just won't have too much time to play with it past that. Guess I can bring it high, get enough salt in to fire up the SWG, and then see if that helps me hold it? No idea if the SWG actually works, but decent enough time to test I guess. Thoughts on a percentage to shoot for, assuming 8 hours of run time? Again, don't know if it will work, and will be already high on FC, so it's more of a holding action at best.
CYA was 60 when I tested a week or so ago. Assuming in the 50-60 range (those tests are rough!), so while I need to add some CYA, need to do it more carefully and not over shoot, which is tough to do in a 'dump and run' approach. Can try and test on the 31st, add half of what I think I'll need, and see where that gets me when I get back, I guess.
I don't have a floater or pucks (previous owner didn't leave one, and everything here said don't use, so I didn't buy), plus SWG ought to more than cover me once I'm up and good.
Any of the other tests important to dial in more before I dump the 550-ish lbs of salt this thing is calling for? Salt cell says 1200, strips say around 1800, but shooting for 3400 either way, so going to take some serious salt.
Know I need to rerun prior to doing anything, but the pre-SLAM values were:
PH - 7
TA - 50
CH - 25
I've obviously changed CYA and FC, so didn't list those, but have around 60 CYA and know where I need to be on FC. Will obviously retest, but just as a rule of thumb so I know what I should be buying before I get home to do this chemistry experiment, it looks like I should be getting:
About 10 lbs of baking soda to bring TA to 70
Just under 5 lbs of washing soda to bring up PH to 7.6
CH doesn't matter for me with Vinyl and SWG
About 5 lbs of stabilizer to get me up to 75-80
15-16 bags of salt to hit 3400
Salt is way different between SWG reading and strip reading (1200-1800, 4 bag's difference), so will do that in a couple drops. How long do you have to wait between tests?
All seem reasonable?