Replies listed in Red Below:
So Im thinking of going with cartridge filter after looking further into the difference between the two. Also, the difference between the 2 as about $100.. so I'm thinking of getting this unit. What do u think?
If I were to get another pump, that is the one I would pick. Funny thing is, I have that exact filter / pump combo saved to my list on amazon.
Hayward CC15093S Xstream Full-Flo 150-Square-Foot 1.5 Horsepower Filtration Filter Amazon.com : Hayward CC15093S Xstream Full-Flo 150-Square-Foot 1.5 Horsepower Filtration Filter : Swimming Pool Water Pumps : Patio, Lawn Garden
I will be getting the Hayward skimmer since I've seen many great reviews about it.
I realize after looking up the tf100, that it is far superior to the clorox test straps. But I do like the app which tells me how to fix and how much to add of each chemical.
Once you get your kit, you will use Pool Math. It is so easy ... You will get almost instant help here anytime you have a question. I have used it for the last 4 years and it is great. It will save your information such as gallons, it has a built in calculator on the bottom to give you your pool gallons, on the bottom it will tell you what you can expect to see when you add chemicals. It is the best one I have used!
I just recieved my floating chlorine dispenser that can use up to 3 inch tablets. Right now I have 1 inch tablets in it since that's all I had.. next season, I'm thinking of getting the arm and hammer 3 inch tablets since it's got great reviews and it's pretty cheap.. haha.
The tablets will work for now, the problem with pro-long use of the tablets is this ... Chlorine is liquid, to make it a solid (Tablets) something has to be added. The typical add is Cyanuric Acid (CYA), the pool needs the CYA to protect the Chlorine from the sun (Think of CYA as sunscreen for Chlorine). However you only need about 40 PPM. So continually adding pucks will raise your CYA to higher than needed level. This will make your Chlorine less active leaving you open to algae. So if you are going to use Chlorine, then use liquid. You will be fine for the rest of this year with pucks ... Do some reading on this site about CYA and Chlorine and you will be an expert soon. By the way, the only way to lower CYA is to drain water from your pool and replace with fresh water. So too much of a good thing isn't always a good thing
What brand/s do you use for your chemicals? There are no pool installers near me (125 miles closest), so I can't get any pro help. I'll either be getting my chemicals from amazon or lowes..
I buy everything that I need at Wal-mart. Lowes will be fine too. All I buy is Liquid Chlorine, Dry Stabilizer (CYA), and Muriatic Acid (Which I purchase at Lowes). The borax and baking soda I buy at Wal-mart but I have not used any in the last 2 years.
Also, do you know if there will be any difference between the foam or sand under the pool? I have 5 1/2" sheets of green foam my used when she was here for her rv. Would those be good, or are the thicker sheets better? It is a personal choice.
The foam I used was thicker, it was a nice for my young kids feet, and the good part for my installation is that the foam and the pavers that my uprights stand on were the same size which kept the bottom of the pool and the bottom of the upright legs the same height.
Thanks