Hi all,
Hopefully my info will show on my signature after I am finished with my post. We moved into a house with a pool in early Sept. I grew up with a pool but my dad did most of the maintenance. Although he has been helping me, he is unfamiliar with DE filters (although he is great at researching and has helped me a lot) and as well, isn't as "fresh" on what to do as he used to be.
I know how to test but the test kit I have is so hard to read! Are they all like that? I bought some test strips today from Leslie's (I have one around the corner) hoping they would work better but now I see that you recommend another type. The one you recommend on this site - are they easier to read? Trying to tell the difference between colors on the PH and chlorine test is tough!
Anyhow, I tested my pool water today and the chlorine was low and the PH was a little high(?) on my test. To verify (and because I knew I would be posting here), I took a sample to Leslie's and had them test. This is what they have:
FC .5
TC .5
PH 7.8
TA 80
CYA 50
Phosphates 200
I feel good that I was reading my test correctly. I added liquid chlorine and muriatic acid at the suggestion of the person at Leslie's. I had it at home. I am planning on getting tablets and the floating dispenser (wondering if this is a good idea as I have a solar cover on the pool) - any recommendations? It seems that the chlorine goes fast and I'm always having to add it. How often is normal to be adding chlorine? I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to extend the chlorine?
One thing my dad and I noticed is some spots of black algae in various places in the pool. The Leslie's sales person recommended their black algae cleaner, which I bought but haven't used yet. I want to be home to do the scrubbing and I have to go out of town tomorrow so will do it last next week. Is using the black algae cleaner all I have to do and it will work or is there more involved than that? How often do I have to use the cleaner to keep the algae away? It's my understanding that this is like mold and will come back if untreated.
Do you all recommend anything else to use or an online site to buy chlorine etc?
I feel a little overwhelmed by this but I know it's just because I don't know what to do... Don't even get me started on the DE filter.... as the pressure is still good, i know that I don't need to clean it yet.
Also, wondering about winterizing our pool. Our pool doesn't have a heater so we won't be swimming this winter. Currently I am running the filter and sweeper about 4 hours a day but do I need to do anything as far as adding chemicals? I would say that it doesn't get colder than mid 30s here at night and days are warm so the water won't likely be freezing. Anyhow, any help with ANYthing would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much,
Anne
Hopefully my info will show on my signature after I am finished with my post. We moved into a house with a pool in early Sept. I grew up with a pool but my dad did most of the maintenance. Although he has been helping me, he is unfamiliar with DE filters (although he is great at researching and has helped me a lot) and as well, isn't as "fresh" on what to do as he used to be.
I know how to test but the test kit I have is so hard to read! Are they all like that? I bought some test strips today from Leslie's (I have one around the corner) hoping they would work better but now I see that you recommend another type. The one you recommend on this site - are they easier to read? Trying to tell the difference between colors on the PH and chlorine test is tough!
Anyhow, I tested my pool water today and the chlorine was low and the PH was a little high(?) on my test. To verify (and because I knew I would be posting here), I took a sample to Leslie's and had them test. This is what they have:
FC .5
TC .5
PH 7.8
TA 80
CYA 50
Phosphates 200
I feel good that I was reading my test correctly. I added liquid chlorine and muriatic acid at the suggestion of the person at Leslie's. I had it at home. I am planning on getting tablets and the floating dispenser (wondering if this is a good idea as I have a solar cover on the pool) - any recommendations? It seems that the chlorine goes fast and I'm always having to add it. How often is normal to be adding chlorine? I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to extend the chlorine?
One thing my dad and I noticed is some spots of black algae in various places in the pool. The Leslie's sales person recommended their black algae cleaner, which I bought but haven't used yet. I want to be home to do the scrubbing and I have to go out of town tomorrow so will do it last next week. Is using the black algae cleaner all I have to do and it will work or is there more involved than that? How often do I have to use the cleaner to keep the algae away? It's my understanding that this is like mold and will come back if untreated.
Do you all recommend anything else to use or an online site to buy chlorine etc?
I feel a little overwhelmed by this but I know it's just because I don't know what to do... Don't even get me started on the DE filter.... as the pressure is still good, i know that I don't need to clean it yet.
Also, wondering about winterizing our pool. Our pool doesn't have a heater so we won't be swimming this winter. Currently I am running the filter and sweeper about 4 hours a day but do I need to do anything as far as adding chemicals? I would say that it doesn't get colder than mid 30s here at night and days are warm so the water won't likely be freezing. Anyhow, any help with ANYthing would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much,
Anne