Hi all: I just learned about this site from the Bogleheads forum. I am new to pool ownership. We bought the house last summer and enjoyed a pristine pool, with periodic shock applications, throughout the season. Some basic information:
Pool: 16, 700 gallons, unprinted vinyl, sports type.
Filter: Hayward Pro Series High-Rate Sand Filter, model S220T
When the pool guy closed the pool last Fall, it was in great shape, crystal clear. We covered it with a tarp. Over the winter, with snow and rain, the tarp slowly filled up with water and leaves from surrounding trees. A few weeks back I made the mistake of trying to pull the tarp away from the pool by myself and many leaves infiltrated the pool water. The pool guys came back, removed the tarp and got the pool started. It was very green, with all sorts of water bug critters enjoying it. After running the filter for approximately 50 hours, I had the water tested with the following results:
Saturation index: -0.6
TDS: 400
CYA: 0
Total Chlorine: 0
Free Chlorine: 0
PH: 7.2
Total Alkalinity: 62
Adjusted total alkalinity: 62
Total Hardness: 179
Iron: 0
Quat: 4
Recommendations from the analysis, with a schedule and order of application: Add 23.5 ibs of Balance Pak 100(alkalinity), Add 1.5 ills of Low n Slo (PH), Add 5 lbs of Stabilizer 100 (CYA), Add 3 bags of burnout 3.
I just finished adding the last application of Balance Pak 100, and will move on to the next steps today. I also have chlorine discs in the chlorine feeder and that is set on full.
Before adding chemicals, I attempted to remove as many leaves as possible, but because the water is so green I can't see to accurately scoop what might be lurking at the bottom. I think I have removed most of the debris. When I move a brush around on the bottom I don't see leaves welling up. But I'm not confident that there isn't a lot of organic matter on bottom that will eat up my chlorine. So far the pool is still quite green.
Some questions: To cover the pool for the winter, are those netting covers preferred over tarps? They are expensive, but if that solves my leaf troubles it might be worth the $1500 or so I hear they cost. At this point, do you recommend that I just go ahead with adding my chemicals, then retest after 5 days or so? As I say, the pool is still very green, with no discernible change in color since I've been rehabbing it. If there might be lots of organic matter in the pool, should I do something to heavily shock the water so I can see to scoop out what remains? Should I run the filter continuously throughout this process? How often should I backwash?
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any advice you have. This is a great site.
Dead Waters
In-ground, 16,700 gallons, un-printed vinyl, Hayward Pro Series High-Rate Sand Filter S220T, Hayward High Performance Tri-star pump: 1 hp, 1.85 SF, 1.85 THP
Pool: 16, 700 gallons, unprinted vinyl, sports type.
Filter: Hayward Pro Series High-Rate Sand Filter, model S220T
When the pool guy closed the pool last Fall, it was in great shape, crystal clear. We covered it with a tarp. Over the winter, with snow and rain, the tarp slowly filled up with water and leaves from surrounding trees. A few weeks back I made the mistake of trying to pull the tarp away from the pool by myself and many leaves infiltrated the pool water. The pool guys came back, removed the tarp and got the pool started. It was very green, with all sorts of water bug critters enjoying it. After running the filter for approximately 50 hours, I had the water tested with the following results:
Saturation index: -0.6
TDS: 400
CYA: 0
Total Chlorine: 0
Free Chlorine: 0
PH: 7.2
Total Alkalinity: 62
Adjusted total alkalinity: 62
Total Hardness: 179
Iron: 0
Quat: 4
Recommendations from the analysis, with a schedule and order of application: Add 23.5 ibs of Balance Pak 100(alkalinity), Add 1.5 ills of Low n Slo (PH), Add 5 lbs of Stabilizer 100 (CYA), Add 3 bags of burnout 3.
I just finished adding the last application of Balance Pak 100, and will move on to the next steps today. I also have chlorine discs in the chlorine feeder and that is set on full.
Before adding chemicals, I attempted to remove as many leaves as possible, but because the water is so green I can't see to accurately scoop what might be lurking at the bottom. I think I have removed most of the debris. When I move a brush around on the bottom I don't see leaves welling up. But I'm not confident that there isn't a lot of organic matter on bottom that will eat up my chlorine. So far the pool is still quite green.
Some questions: To cover the pool for the winter, are those netting covers preferred over tarps? They are expensive, but if that solves my leaf troubles it might be worth the $1500 or so I hear they cost. At this point, do you recommend that I just go ahead with adding my chemicals, then retest after 5 days or so? As I say, the pool is still very green, with no discernible change in color since I've been rehabbing it. If there might be lots of organic matter in the pool, should I do something to heavily shock the water so I can see to scoop out what remains? Should I run the filter continuously throughout this process? How often should I backwash?
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any advice you have. This is a great site.
Dead Waters
In-ground, 16,700 gallons, un-printed vinyl, Hayward Pro Series High-Rate Sand Filter S220T, Hayward High Performance Tri-star pump: 1 hp, 1.85 SF, 1.85 THP