Another Vacation Post

[akaistha]

So like everyone else we are also planning to go out on summer vacation for 12 days and I have something that I want to do and seeking insight. We are in Dallas area so about to get to 100 degree days !!!

While it is also I’m signature:
Water Chemistry: Pool Volume 19000 gallons, pH: 7.4, FC: 2 pm. CC: 0, CYA: 50 and TA: 90

No Automatic Pool Filler: I do have a water fill pipe and plan to let it drip and replenish water. Tried this over the lat few days and I think we may lose some water to drain but better this than running the pump dry. What do you think?

Chlorine: I am losing about 2 ppm Cl every day so was thinking to SLAM the pool to about 30 ppm. This is higher than the recommended SLAM level. Will it be okay?

Pool Cover: No as I want to monitor the pool remotely via camera and also have a single speed motor that runs for 10 hours a day.

Any other points that any one would recommend.

Thank you so much

Amit
Pool Volume 19000 gallons,
pH: 7.4, FC: 2 pm. CC: 0, CYA: 50 and TA: 90

 

[.ben]

Your current FC is too low, especially in this heat wave. Add some FC ASAP. You don’t want an algae problem right before vacation.

You should be targeting an FC of 6-8 (probably 8 in this weather) and never let FC fall below 4.

 

[JJ_Tex]

Right, bump up that chlorine now as you are below the minimum of 4 for your CYA.

For your vacation, I would:
- Lower the pH to 7.2
- Raise the pool to SLAM level
- Get a floating chlorine dispenser and add a few pucks in that. It will raise your CYA, but you have some wiggle room there and will help replace some of the chlorine loss.
- For your fill line, what about something like this so you can schedule it to come on: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Orbit-1-Output-Port-Digital-Hose-End-Timer/50329571

 

[akaistha]

Thanks Ben. I should put reading glasses when typing on phone. I maintain FC to 7 ppm

 

[reggiehammond]

FC above SLAM levels will burn off exponentially faster than normal. Just use pucks in a floater, as advised above.

You really should consider a SWCG and variable speed pump. The VSP electrical savings will darn near pay for both items over a year, if you’re really running your single speed 10 hours a day.

My VSP and SWCG run 24/7 and electrical Is only about ~$38 a month

 

[akaistha]

FC above SLAM levels will burn off exponentially faster than normal. Just use pucks in a floater, as advised above.

You really should consider a SWCG and variable speed pump. The VSP electrical savings will darn near pay for both items over a year, if you’re really running your single speed 10 hours a day.

My VSP and SWCG run 24/7 and electrical Is only about ~$38 a month

Everytime I go on a vacation and in hind sight I kick myself why I didn’t I get the SWCG

 

[dfwnoob]

It's never too late

I concur with the above advice. Last year when I went on vacation while I was still jug lugging, I brought the pool to SLAM level and stuffed one of those UFO-looking plastic floaters with as many pucks as I could.

Overshot my CYA once I returned, but no algae and FC was still above minimums!

 

[akaistha]

Do you all think adding algaecide be worth it? I will increase the chlorine level for sure.

 

[reggiehammond]

Do you all think adding algaecide be worth it? I will increase the chlorine level for sure.

I wouldn't worry about. Provided you don't have algae now, moving to SLAM, adding some trichlor puck... you'll be fine.
Even if you do get close to min level near your return date, that doesn't mean you'll get algae instantly.

 

[DMS2014]

Hey Dallas person! Your pool and mine are the same size and right now my pool is 93.6 - highest it’s been in …well ever!

We are going on vacation too , I do have a SWG so I am going to take the advice and pump it up some to cover myself. I would definitely consider a SWG. My nemesis is not the FC the but pH. Total pain in the u know what!

 

[akaistha]

The pool was okay with the prep above. No combined chlorine though free chlorine had dropped to 3 ppm. Since we had left water dripping the CYA for some reason even with adding 7 tri chlor tabs stayed below 60 ppm.

 

[DaveTheAccountant]

Are there any pucks that DONT add CYA? My SWCG is undersized and I’ve considered going that route for vacations.

 

[akaistha]

There are other experts who can chime in but I think cal hypo chlorine tabs contain no to minimal CYA but dissolve rapidly and come in 1” diameter only. They will raise calcium levels though