So glad I found this website. Have learned so much in the last 24 hours.
My family (me, the wife, our 8 and 6 year old kids) moved into my current home about 1.5 years ago. Never owned a pool before and had relegated all the chemical maintenance to my local pool supply store, "Pinch a Penny." They come out once a week to do all the chemical stuff, I handle the periodic non-chemical maintenance such as vacumming, brushing, skimming etc. They leave a card on the door each time specifying what they had done. 95% of the time it would read "Tabs, algaecide" and periodically "Shock" with the occasional "Test." Does not strike me with confidence that they are paying much attention to the finer details.
Over those 1.5 years, I've had sporadic issues of algae growth and problems with clarity. I've been told on numerous occasions that this has been due to the TDS levels in my pool, though from my own research I am questioning that.
I want to TAKE CHARGE of my pool care, as I feel their maintenance schedule is not adequate and I am hopeful that I can get more consistent results with proper education.
The pool is approx. 16,000 gallons, in-ground, with a separate spa/overflow. It is fed by chlorine tablets, has a cartridge filter, and separate valves to control the intake between the main drain, spa drain, skimmer basket, and vacuum port.
Being in Florida and on the west side of my home, it gets a significant amount of direct sunlight during the summer months with frequent afternoon rain showers. It is not screened in, but I typically do not have much of an issue with debris unless there are high winds.
I have already ordered my TF-100 test kit and will be performing a battery of tests once I receive it. From there I will explore my options and seek counsel from the seemingly fantastic experts on this forum. Not to mention everybody seems so friendly, so that is an added bonus.
Thanks again. More from me soon......
My family (me, the wife, our 8 and 6 year old kids) moved into my current home about 1.5 years ago. Never owned a pool before and had relegated all the chemical maintenance to my local pool supply store, "Pinch a Penny." They come out once a week to do all the chemical stuff, I handle the periodic non-chemical maintenance such as vacumming, brushing, skimming etc. They leave a card on the door each time specifying what they had done. 95% of the time it would read "Tabs, algaecide" and periodically "Shock" with the occasional "Test." Does not strike me with confidence that they are paying much attention to the finer details.
Over those 1.5 years, I've had sporadic issues of algae growth and problems with clarity. I've been told on numerous occasions that this has been due to the TDS levels in my pool, though from my own research I am questioning that.
I want to TAKE CHARGE of my pool care, as I feel their maintenance schedule is not adequate and I am hopeful that I can get more consistent results with proper education.
The pool is approx. 16,000 gallons, in-ground, with a separate spa/overflow. It is fed by chlorine tablets, has a cartridge filter, and separate valves to control the intake between the main drain, spa drain, skimmer basket, and vacuum port.
Being in Florida and on the west side of my home, it gets a significant amount of direct sunlight during the summer months with frequent afternoon rain showers. It is not screened in, but I typically do not have much of an issue with debris unless there are high winds.
I have already ordered my TF-100 test kit and will be performing a battery of tests once I receive it. From there I will explore my options and seek counsel from the seemingly fantastic experts on this forum. Not to mention everybody seems so friendly, so that is an added bonus.
Thanks again. More from me soon......
Welcome to TFP!!!
..... before you know it you will wonder how you ever did it any other way.
