Hey guys, I've been lurking for almost a year and found some great information here through my agonizing and endless pool research since I became a first time pool owner in May of last year. I managed to limp through last year with the aquacheck 7 way test strips and a few chemicals recommended by a local pool company who came by a gave a quick "pool school"/sale when we moved in.
However, after a year of using the 3" tabs and shocking once a week (as recommended), my CYA levels have gotten pretty high. Although, I've managed to keep everything else within range. In the fall I had a custom leaf cover made due to surrounding live oaks. It was installed in October and the pool stayed pretty clean and clear throughout most of the offseason.
I took the cover off one warm, early January day and cleaned the little debris that managed to get under it and put it back on and resumed checking the water about once a month. Then came spring and the dreaded oak pollen "tassels". Sooo much of the pollen and debris from these evil flowers detoured under the cover or made it through the fine mesh.
So yesterday, I decided to remove the cover. The water was clear, but the walls and floor were covered with what I assumed was algae and the pollen tassel debris. As soon as I started scrubbing, the water turned milky green until it resembled the Gulf of Mexico. I pulled and cleaned the filter cartridges and skimmers threw in the Polaris and kept scrubbing. I tested with the strips and the TC was low and the FC didn't even register. I threw in what little algaecide I had left and then used the Pool math calculator to try and figure out how much bleach to use to start the shock process. I needed up using about a gallon. Not sure if it was enough, but by 5:00 this morning, the water had drastically improved.
Today I ordered a TF100 kit and made the decision to switch to the TF methodology. I am still trying to learn and take everything in, so I will be back with many questions.
P.s. The pool size and year built are rough guesses. I will try to get a more accurate size in the coming days.
However, after a year of using the 3" tabs and shocking once a week (as recommended), my CYA levels have gotten pretty high. Although, I've managed to keep everything else within range. In the fall I had a custom leaf cover made due to surrounding live oaks. It was installed in October and the pool stayed pretty clean and clear throughout most of the offseason.
I took the cover off one warm, early January day and cleaned the little debris that managed to get under it and put it back on and resumed checking the water about once a month. Then came spring and the dreaded oak pollen "tassels". Sooo much of the pollen and debris from these evil flowers detoured under the cover or made it through the fine mesh.
So yesterday, I decided to remove the cover. The water was clear, but the walls and floor were covered with what I assumed was algae and the pollen tassel debris. As soon as I started scrubbing, the water turned milky green until it resembled the Gulf of Mexico. I pulled and cleaned the filter cartridges and skimmers threw in the Polaris and kept scrubbing. I tested with the strips and the TC was low and the FC didn't even register. I threw in what little algaecide I had left and then used the Pool math calculator to try and figure out how much bleach to use to start the shock process. I needed up using about a gallon. Not sure if it was enough, but by 5:00 this morning, the water had drastically improved.
Today I ordered a TF100 kit and made the decision to switch to the TF methodology. I am still trying to learn and take everything in, so I will be back with many questions.
P.s. The pool size and year built are rough guesses. I will try to get a more accurate size in the coming days.
) when I get home.