I understand perfectly the hesitation to "buy into" the teachings on this forum. It's difficult, to say the least, to fly in the face of the manufacturer's suggestions when he's got it printed in black and white.
Same thing with Pool Store advice. It is quite natural to assume they are the "experts" (after all, it is there business) and harder to put creedence in a group of online yahoos (yeah, that's us) who can appear as zealots to someone just finding this forum.
Give it some time. As you read more and more within, you will come across the finest swimming pool experts on the planet and they will help you learn what we have all learned over the years......The TFPC methodology is based on rock solid science with all the peripheral agendas and special interests removed. You are left with simple techniques that will allow you to manage your pool very successfully and inexpensively.
These methods have been developing over the last 10 years or so by a passionate group of people who observe and share their findings. We are reinforced by a few members who combine their own experiences with these observations and prove the science behind them beyond any doubt..
So, does that make us the perfect forum for every pool owner in the world? Absolutely not.
From the home page......
We emphasize the importance of self management, self testing and a willingness to learn.
Not every pool owner has the interest to manage their own pools. Many. many people have a hard time realizing that self-testing is an essential cornerstone.....it's too tempting to head to the pool store for "expert" testing. That virtually never works but many people can simply never get their arms around the concept that you, as pool owner, will test far more accurately. The willingness to learn is self-explanatory.
Enjoy the forum. We hope you will be with us for years to come.