Hi everyone,
I just bought a house with a pool - Here's the scoop:
My TF test kit arrived yesterday, tested first thing this AM here are the stats:
Chlorine Drop test, 3 drops X 1.5 = 1.5 FC
CC test, was a slight pink color, added 1 drop to clear it all up, so that = .5 CC
TA, took 8 drops, so that makes TA = 80
the CH test came back at 250
the CYA test - I could see the black dot the whole time - almost none in the pool. didn't even make it blury.
From the blue test kit box:
The PH test came out to about 7.2
the Chlorine test came back at 1, which has me confused because I assume that is a total chlorine, which should be ~ 2 based on my CC and FC measurements, but maybe I'm comparing apples to oranges.
As for my pool - the water is now crystal clear, I have an automatic chlorinator with those tablets in it, i hear those often add CYA, but it doesn't seem to be effecting me too much. I have a sand filter, I don't know how to tell the size of it, but I have a question about that - i release air from it each time I turn the pump back on (I've been running my pump 24/7, but I turn it off to swap to backwash/rinse) but somehow it keeps getting air in the bubble on top, is this a bad thing, and what can be done?
I have no main drain, just a skimmer, and another intake line in the deep end, and 1 return in the shallow end.
I also have some staining in the bottom of the pool, the vacuum/brush won't get up, from what I've read on here it might be from copper in algaecide or something, any way to figure this out, or any good methods to get rid of stains? My liner is old, it will probably only last another year or two, has a few tears that I've had patched up, but has a new one, all above the water line for now - so I think it's ok. I think I included my info in my signature but, in case I did it wrong I have an 18'x36' In ground with a vinyl liner, and I don't know how to tell the size of my sand filter or pump, and I think my pressure guage is broken because it looks horrible and it sits at like 38 or 39.
I've been reading everyone's comments and advice for a few weeks now, and I'm glad I finally have some good info on my pool to hopefully get some of this good feedback I've been seeing - oh ya, from what was left in the garage it looks like they used mostly pool store chemicals, but I'm leaning towards this BBB method, I like the idea of being in control of my pool and not just dumping in unknown substances blindly.
Thanks in advance, and please let me know if there is any more info I can give in order to help you help me - this is my first pool (and it seems to be doing ok now) I just want to keep on top of it to get the most out of it for my family and friends.
Oh ya, one last question - airating the pool is something I read about briefly, what's this do for the pool (I know that my son and I certainly stir it up a bit) but I was thinking of putting on one of those eyeballs on the return, but didn't know the repercussions, I'm a little nervous because I Assume it will increase the pressure on my return line and I certainly don't want to cause a leak. Also, is there certain positioning that works best for these, they seem to move my water faster, which i assume is only helpful to the skimmer, but would love some feedback/info.
ok enough rambling, I appreciate answers to any and all of my questions - looking forward to becoming an active participant in this great forum.
Thanks!
I just bought a house with a pool - Here's the scoop:
My TF test kit arrived yesterday, tested first thing this AM here are the stats:
Chlorine Drop test, 3 drops X 1.5 = 1.5 FC
CC test, was a slight pink color, added 1 drop to clear it all up, so that = .5 CC
TA, took 8 drops, so that makes TA = 80
the CH test came back at 250
the CYA test - I could see the black dot the whole time - almost none in the pool. didn't even make it blury.
From the blue test kit box:
The PH test came out to about 7.2
the Chlorine test came back at 1, which has me confused because I assume that is a total chlorine, which should be ~ 2 based on my CC and FC measurements, but maybe I'm comparing apples to oranges.
As for my pool - the water is now crystal clear, I have an automatic chlorinator with those tablets in it, i hear those often add CYA, but it doesn't seem to be effecting me too much. I have a sand filter, I don't know how to tell the size of it, but I have a question about that - i release air from it each time I turn the pump back on (I've been running my pump 24/7, but I turn it off to swap to backwash/rinse) but somehow it keeps getting air in the bubble on top, is this a bad thing, and what can be done?
I have no main drain, just a skimmer, and another intake line in the deep end, and 1 return in the shallow end.
I also have some staining in the bottom of the pool, the vacuum/brush won't get up, from what I've read on here it might be from copper in algaecide or something, any way to figure this out, or any good methods to get rid of stains? My liner is old, it will probably only last another year or two, has a few tears that I've had patched up, but has a new one, all above the water line for now - so I think it's ok. I think I included my info in my signature but, in case I did it wrong I have an 18'x36' In ground with a vinyl liner, and I don't know how to tell the size of my sand filter or pump, and I think my pressure guage is broken because it looks horrible and it sits at like 38 or 39.
I've been reading everyone's comments and advice for a few weeks now, and I'm glad I finally have some good info on my pool to hopefully get some of this good feedback I've been seeing - oh ya, from what was left in the garage it looks like they used mostly pool store chemicals, but I'm leaning towards this BBB method, I like the idea of being in control of my pool and not just dumping in unknown substances blindly.
Thanks in advance, and please let me know if there is any more info I can give in order to help you help me - this is my first pool (and it seems to be doing ok now) I just want to keep on top of it to get the most out of it for my family and friends.
Oh ya, one last question - airating the pool is something I read about briefly, what's this do for the pool (I know that my son and I certainly stir it up a bit) but I was thinking of putting on one of those eyeballs on the return, but didn't know the repercussions, I'm a little nervous because I Assume it will increase the pressure on my return line and I certainly don't want to cause a leak. Also, is there certain positioning that works best for these, they seem to move my water faster, which i assume is only helpful to the skimmer, but would love some feedback/info.
ok enough rambling, I appreciate answers to any and all of my questions - looking forward to becoming an active participant in this great forum.
Thanks!
