Chemical use with a covered pool and brushing

[marchyman]

After 26 years I've decided to mostly take care of the pool myself. Several events of very cloudy water this summer led me to that decision. That and the fact that the pool guy we used and were mostly OK with retired. The new guy still has a lot to learn. I can learn, too. I got the Taylor 2006 kit and started testing quite recently.

Anyway, my 15x30 pool is covered for all but about one hour per day. How might that affect chemical use? I assumed I'd use less chlorine, yet testing shows the need to add chlorine in about the amounts I read about on this forum.

One more question about brushing. The pool was refurbished with new plaster the end of 2022 -- the old surface was 30 years old. I doubt that it has been brushed even once since. Nor before, as far as I know. My Polaris 280 does climb the walls. I suspect that doesn't mean much as the only contact are the wheels. The pool looks great.

I know I should brush. My question is what (if anything) have I missed?

Latest Test Result Summary:
FC: 3.5 (7 hours ago) (added 1/2 gallon of 10% chlorine)
CC: 0.0 (7 hours ago)
pH: 7.5 (7 hours ago)
TA: 120 (4 days ago)
CH: 370 (4 days ago)
CYA: 50 (4 days ago)
TEMP: 83° (7 hours ago)
CSI: 0.14 (7 hours ago)

Lots to learn.

Marc

 

[reggiehammond]

Brushing is not mission critical when the pool is properly sanitizer per FC/CYA Levels. With that said, you are under minimum with CYA 50 and FC 3.5. Invitation for algae and likely why you have seen cloudy water (algae) this year. Pool care is very simple; manage pH and make sure FC never falls below minimum.

Cover should help with FC usage, but since you don't have a SWCG, you will see bigger swings in FC than those that do. Every pool is different.
Covers also trap CC (chlorine smell and byproduct of sanitation) - but CC is easily burned off with UV, so opening the cover regularly is wise.