Switching to BBB - Questions

[Fillet 'n Release]

I am new to the forum and new to having my own pool (have an AG Intex last year was my first.) Spent better part of last summer screwing around with chemical test strips and lots of chemicals that were always out of wack in some way shape or form. Not going back to that again!

I took it down this past fall (live in central, FL) as I wanted to re-level the pool (it wasn't bad at all, just ended up being uneven in spots) and since no one was going to use it all winter I didn't want to have to maintain it.

In other words I am starting fresh this spring. I have a 2650 g/h pump w/ sand filter, and will be hard plumbing that in with a Hayward in-wall skimmer (thanks to some posts on this site!), and will be getting a real test kit, and want to go to BBB method.

So on with the questions:

1. As it pertains to opening the pool, do I just run the test and adjust based on recommendations from PoolCalculator? I would assume that it would be better to partially make any large adjustments (1/2-2/3 recommended amounts), wait awhile, and then re-test?

2. I travel for business at least 2-3 days/week. I could charge my wife with testing and adding bleach every day, but with a 2 year old and a 2 month old, I think I would be better off not asking. So my question is, can I fore go testing/bleaching for let's say 3-4 days and then adjust when I get back? Or am I better off leaving a floater in while I am gone so that things don't get too hairy while I'm gone?

3. I should mention that in central, FL we can receive torrential rain almost every day in the summer, and with that rain comes high wind (read: lots of leaves and bugs in my pool.) I have a sneaking suspicion that part of my issues last year came from the introduction of large amounts of new water each week as well as acid from leaves (I have to drain my pool on a regular basis during the summer to keep it from running over into the plants.) Would I be better off covering the pool to try and keep the chlorine in (no sunlight) and the rain water out? My thought on the cover is that it will just make the pool warmer (90 deg water is pretty common in August without a cover.)

I appreciate any ideas anybody has out there.

Thanks

 

[RobbieH]

1. Exactly. You've got it just right. I typically will add bleach based on what the calculator says, but when adding acid or any chemicals that are permanent (CYA, CH) I slowly add and measure after an hour of pump run time, then readjust.

2. If you calculate how much it takes to add 2ppm of FC to your pool, you can just ask her to add that much each day. But if your wife forgets (like mine), you might have to find another way to keep it up. Floaters work, but add CYA, and before you know it you can be in big trouble if you aren't careful.

3. Leaves can increase your FC consumption, because they are adding organics to your pool. There are ways to cool your water if you use a cover, anything that sprays the water into the air then back into the pool can help with cooling, especially if you run them at night. They will also increase your pH, so if you have a problem with pH drifting down, this will help that also. If you are OK covering your pool, I'd say go for it. I can't cover mine, ever, so I just have to deal with the problems as they come along.

Also, if you travel a LOT (I do), you might consider going to salt and use a salt water chlorine generator. You won't have to haul much or any chlorine/bleach again, and you don't have to worry about the pool at all while you travel. You just have to keep an eye on the pH when you are home.