Re: Yet another new pool owner...
A few observations for a new owner from someone that's been here for a few months....
First, if the search on this site doesn't give you what you're looking for (i.e. words too short, etc), remember google is your friend. Try this string in the google search box:
site:troublefreepools.com cya low
Next, I thought the bleach at Costco seemed like a good deal so I picked some up and later realized it's ~1/3 the concentration of the stuff I get at my corner hardware store. After some calculations, it turns out the stuff at Costco was not much better value than the stuff at the hardware store. i.e. the amount of chlorination per $ was basically the same.
Finally, since you mentioned purchasing a SWG, I'd like to offer my thoughts. I have one and when I had it installed it was on a pool at a new house and I had no prior pool experience. The sales pitch was presented as if I would never have to add chemicals to the pool. Turns out there are a lot of other chemicals that are required as part of normal pool maintenance, with or without a SWG, and the only chemical I don't have to "add" is chlorine (although I'm having to tweak the SWG output level several times a year). I own my ignorance for not having researched everything first (sounds like you are miles ahead of where I was when I started out, so congrats on that
). Having said that, considering a) the initial cost of the unit ($700 installed); b) the operation costs (electrical power for the unit itself and extended pump run time); c) the time required for the weekly cleaning of the element and; d) the fact that I will have to spend $400 to replace the element every 2-3 years, the only advantage I can see with a SWG is the convenience of not having to manually add chlorine every day. Since I am (err...should be) testing every day, it would only be another minute or two to pour some chlorine in.
If I was to do it over again, I would probably still go with a SWG just because I'm that lazy.
I just wish I had known all the info when I made my initial decision.
A few observations for a new owner from someone that's been here for a few months....
First, if the search on this site doesn't give you what you're looking for (i.e. words too short, etc), remember google is your friend. Try this string in the google search box:
site:troublefreepools.com cya low
Next, I thought the bleach at Costco seemed like a good deal so I picked some up and later realized it's ~1/3 the concentration of the stuff I get at my corner hardware store. After some calculations, it turns out the stuff at Costco was not much better value than the stuff at the hardware store. i.e. the amount of chlorination per $ was basically the same.
Finally, since you mentioned purchasing a SWG, I'd like to offer my thoughts. I have one and when I had it installed it was on a pool at a new house and I had no prior pool experience. The sales pitch was presented as if I would never have to add chemicals to the pool. Turns out there are a lot of other chemicals that are required as part of normal pool maintenance, with or without a SWG, and the only chemical I don't have to "add" is chlorine (although I'm having to tweak the SWG output level several times a year). I own my ignorance for not having researched everything first (sounds like you are miles ahead of where I was when I started out, so congrats on that
). Having said that, considering a) the initial cost of the unit ($700 installed); b) the operation costs (electrical power for the unit itself and extended pump run time); c) the time required for the weekly cleaning of the element and; d) the fact that I will have to spend $400 to replace the element every 2-3 years, the only advantage I can see with a SWG is the convenience of not having to manually add chlorine every day. Since I am (err...should be) testing every day, it would only be another minute or two to pour some chlorine in.If I was to do it over again, I would probably still go with a SWG just because I'm that lazy.
I just wish I had known all the info when I made my initial decision.
, but without being there, all I have is a hypothosis as to what may have happened and your answers will help us define what's going on. Once we know what's wrong, we can help you get it fixed quickly :-D