Thank you from a chemist

[phenol red]

As a chemist (physical organic chemistry, undergrad teaching professor), and a new pool owner, I can't begin to describe how beneficial this forum is as a resource for getting the pool chemistry right. I only wish I had found it earlier! I've now spent more time correcting my own mistakes than swimming, but now that it is very much close to perfect, I'm so glad to have done it this way.

I'd especially like to thank chem geek, whose original contributions to the field regarding the relationship of free chlorine and cyanuric acid, and constant contributions to this forum give it the scientific validity that I was looking for.

Since the equilibrium constants have been known since the 70s, it astounds me that literally millions of pool owners have been wasting time and money with these incorrect pool store methods, and with poor results to show for it. How are the pool stores and pool chemical supply industry able to ignore something as simple as the idea of cyanuric acid building up over time?? How many pool owners are surprised to find algae even when they have free chlorine after they've been using pucks in the skimmer for years (like the previous owner of my pool)?

Anyway, now that I have something to show for my efforts, I hope to start answering questions and helping others out too. Nice to meet you all!

 

[woodyp]

(I like this guy already). Welcome to the forum!

 

[tim5055]

Thanks for the positive comments.

While the science has been known for a long time, no one has a vested interest in informing the public. In many ways it's an area where money talks....

 

[phenol red]

Now to work on a signature - I've actually never taken the time to inventory the exact model names of everything. It should be a good exercise.

 

[Texas Splash]

Always nice to be the one who is smiling .... \

 

[Casey]

Welcome Red!

 

[Isaac-1]

Let me add my welcome to the others, and hope you stick around. It is always good to have another person that is willing to jump in and understands chemistry when the technical doubters show up.

 

[MarianParoo]

Glad you found the forum. Welcome!

 

[pooldv]

Welcome to TFP!

 

[Bonray]

My thoughts exactly Phenol Red! No one mentioned that tidbit. After many years of trichlor, guess what happened?! It all makes sense now. Finally! Thanks to TFP!

 

[Griswald]

Fantastic post.

This should be required reading for any new member before they can post.

Pin this post to the top!!!!!

 

[RobbieH]

You know how it is. People are inherently gullible. They hear what they want to hear. They go to the pool store and enjoy being told there's a magic fix. I have been face-to-face with friends and I try to explain to them why the pool store method is wrong, and their answer is typically "but you aren't a professional".

So, can we identify the fallacies?
Confirmation bias
I'd say appeal to authority, but it's actually false authority
Appeal to popularity


Any more fit the "pool store" method?

 

[phenol red]

By the way, I'd also like to give a HUGE shout out to Jesse's Graphical Pool Testing Log which has been huge in getting everything under control for me.

How gratifying is this???

 

[Divin Dave]

Hi Red,
Its always nice to have someone with a good background in chemistry to enjoy and participate here at TFP.
Great looking pool you have there, and those numbers look pretty good too!

 

[needsajet]

Welcome and great to have you here. Thanks for the link to Jesse's, I hadn't found that yet!!!