Adding chemicals and vacuuming questions!

[Harlow727]

I used the sock method to add CYA granules (a little over 5lbs split between 4 socks, attached to empty jugs and positioned in front of the return) It's taking foreverrrr, almost 24hrs and still 2 socks to go. I still have to add phosphate remover and salt. I can now see since the water os a little more clear, where I missed some spots and need to vacuum. My questions are:
Do I need to wait until all the CYA is dissolved before adding phosphate remover? And where in between these steps would be best to vacuum, or can I do it now, while waiting on the CYA? Kids are tapping their feet while staring out the window, wishing Mama would have gotten to this sooner, lol!!

(14,000 gal above ground with a saltwater sand filter)

Thanks!!

 

[Newdude]

I used the sock method to add CYA granules (a little over 5lbs split between 4 socks

I dump 5 lbs on the chest of a Tshirt and sack up the sides. Then I tie the sack up like a roast for support and hang it on the end of my pool pole for up to a day. (I weight the other end of the pool pole for precaution. It might tip in otherwise) It's rarely a rush and if given enough time, it squishes right out a couple hours later or even tomorrow.

still have to add phosphate remover and salt.

Phosphates are of no concern in properly sanitized water. Smack a massive buffet (phosphates/algae food) in the middle of the Sahara desert. Nobody is showing up to eat it. Just like that.

Test you salt before adding any with a k1766. Many are surprised with their current level.

And where in between these steps would be best to vacuum

At any time.

Kids are tapping their feet while staring out the window, wishing Mama would have gotten to this sooner, lol!!

Swimming is safe between min and slam. Providing you can see well enough to rescue a disabled swimmer in the deep end.

 

[Harlow727]

Thanks!!! I have never winterized, just let it go for the winter (I know, not the best idea!) Haven't turned on the salt generator yet. No deep end,,as it's above ground. 3rd sock almost empty, off to vacuum!!

 

[Dirk]

When you say "vacuum," are you vacuuming to waste (so that water leaves the pool), or does the vacuumed water go through your filter and back into the pool? If the latter, then yes, vacuum any time. But if you're vacuuming to waste, that will affect your water chemistry and waste the chemicals you're adding.

 

[Dirk]

I put my CYA granules in a "fine delicates" zippered laundry bag (with a very fine mesh) and hang that in my skimmer. It doesn't lay in the bottom of the skimmer basket, I use the skimmer lid to trap some of the bag such that is hangs over the basket, just submerged under water. The increased flow of the skimmer is faster than the returns. I then go out and squeeze the bag at intervals, kneading the granules to help them dissolve. I've added CYA like this in as little as an hour.

Some of the CYA will get caught in the filter, but it'll still dissolve eventually (as long as you don't clean your filter for a few weeks). It's safe to swim almost immediately, even before the granules dissolve, because there are not "tempting" socks hanging around where the kids will be swimming and playing.

It has the added benefit of containing the CYA. If you allow liquid or granule CYA to escape to the bottom of your pool, it could stain your pool's surface. Though that's more of a concern for plaster pools than vinyl.

 

[Harlow727]

When you say "vacuum," are you vacuuming to waste (so that water leaves the pool), or does the vacuumed water go through your filter and back into the pool? If the latter, then yes, vacuum any time. But if you're vacuuming to waste, that will affect your water chemistry and waste the chemicals you're adding.

I vacuum to waste, a few stripes of dirt and algae that I missed the first time around.

 

[Harlow727]

I put my CYA granules in a "fine delicates" zippered laundry bag (with a very fine mesh) and hang that in my skimmer. It doesn't lay in the bottom of the skimmer basket, I use the skimmer lid to trap some of the bag such that is hangs over the basket, just submerged under water. The increased flow of the skimmer is faster than the returns. I then go out and squeeze the bag at intervals, kneading the granules to help them dissolve. I've added CYA like this in as little as an hour.

Some of the CYA will get caught in the filter, but it'll still dissolve eventually (as long as you don't clean your filter for a few weeks). It's safe to swim almost immediately, even before the granules dissolve, because there are not "tempting" socks hanging around where the kids will be swimming and playing.

It has the added benefit of containing the CYA. If you allow liquid or granule CYA to escape to the bottom of your pool, it could stain your pool's surface. Though that's more of a concern for plaster pools

 

[Harlow727]

I have bleached out parts of the liner already from teens not broadcasting chlorine granules properly and just pouring in one spot and not brushing @@ Then switched 2 years ago to a saltwater generator and liquid chlorine. I'm not worried about staining.

 

[Dirk]

I vacuum to waste, a few stripes of dirt and algae that I missed the first time around.

Then when you vacuum affects your chemistry. Everytime you vac to waste, you're losing FC, CYA and salt. So just be aware of that. If you have a lot of vacuuming to do, plan to do so before you add your chemicals. If vac'ing to waste is a routine thing, that's fine. Just test regularly and top off the lost chemicals as needed.

There are plenty of vac systems that send the "crud" to the filter, or a pre-filter-filter, and you don't lose FC, CYA or salt when you do it that way. But you might have to clean your filter more often. Tradeoffs.

You might consider an inline filter for your vac hose, which solves for both problems. Most of the crud ends up in that pre-filter, especially if you add a fine-mesh thingie to the inline filter, and you don't lose chemicals. They're easier to clean than messing with your sand filter.

@JoyfulNoise has one he likes. And he can explain the "fine-mesh thingie."