empty salt H20 pool down clean out vs washing machine. hose vs 1.5" vs 2" hose

[outdoorsgal]

Shut it off & do the bucket test explained in the article - its only for a few days.

I can't shut it off for a few days. I'd have to turn it on at times to water the gardens and chickens. Would that mess it up much?

 

[outdoorsgal]

Gene,
FC14
CC.5
ph7.8
TA90
CYA50
salt3400
temp75
CSI -0.06

pH raised really quickly. My guess is hub didn't add the correct amt. That's the only x he's added anything throughout the process. Unless the pH is turning faster now.
I'll add 76 oz MA and 40 oz stabilizer if I have it left in the bag. Otherwise I'll have to get another bag. I added 1.5 bags already. I'll take the pics in a bit, too.

 

[outdoorsgal]

autofill

 

[outdoorsgal]

I should be around 60 CYA when the 32 oz I added dissolves.

 

[proavia]

I have no idea what brand autofill that is. Check your pool paperwork and see if it lists the brand/model number.

The valve to the left of the backflow will shut off water to the copper pipe that goes into the ground to your autofill. What else is hooked to that line?
Can you add a length of hose to the garden hose in the pic to extend your hose reach for the garden and chickens?

Keep working the pH down to 7.2-7.3 . This will help to lower the TA. Shoot for a TA of 60-70.

Your CYA should be 70. Once you test a couple of days after the CYA is dissolved - if it's not at 70, use PoolMath and your CYA result to figure out how much to add to get to 70.
It's going to be mid to upper 90's all next week. You need to get the water balanced and keep it that way to avoid any issues and save time correcting those issues.

 

[JamesW]

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[JamesW]

 

[outdoorsgal]

I have no idea what brand autofill that is. Check your pool paperwork and see if it lists the brand/model number.

The valve to the left of the backflow will shut off water to the copper pipe that goes into the ground to your autofill. What else is hooked to that line?
Can you add a length of hose to the garden hose in the pic to extend your hose reach for the garden and chicken

I looked through all my pool paperwork and oddly, pb did not list the auto fill on CAD, bid, no info at all.
What's hooked to the copper pipe that goes into the ground to the autofill is the 3 other hose bibs I paid the pb to install in the rest of the yard.
I could add some hoses together to reach the chickens and gardens. I'll have to look at the instructions for the bucket test more closely and go for it if u think that would be one of the next steps

 

[proavia]

1. FC levels based on your CYA - keep FC on high side of target
2. pH and TA - work the TA down to 60 to slow pH rise
3. Use PoolMath to enter your test results EVERY TIME
4. Keep CSI slightly negative (0.00 to -0.30) to minimum SWG scaling
5. Bucket test - checking for possible leak

You started this thread 6 weeks ago. Time to get everything balanced and tweaked so you and your family can enjoy the swim season. Stay focused on the task at hand - stay out of the weeds.

Continued frequent testing and adding what your pool needs when it needs it is paramount. Make the time to do it daily - it's only a few minutes a day. If you let it get out of hand, it will take many hours, days, weeks to make it right again.

 

[outdoorsgal]

I'll check my CYA in 2 days cuz I was just able to check the sock today that it was empty.
today:
fc 15.5
cc .
pH7.5
pool h20 temp 83
csi-0.27
I'll have time for more thorough testing tomorrow.

panel says 3100 salt

I'm a little confused with the instructions on the bucket test. should I fill my pool higher than the middle of the tiles or middle of tiles? then I would put a bucket on the baja and fill it with h20 to the same height of the pthxool h20 and shut off the auto fill?

thx

 

[Mdragger88]

I'll check my CYA in 2 days cuz I was just able to check the sock today that it was empty.
today:
fc 15.5
cc .
pH7.5
pool h20 temp 83
csi-0.27
I'll have time for more thorough testing tomorrow.

panel says 3100 salt

I'm a little confused with the instructions on the bucket test. should I fill my pool higher than the middle of the tiles or middle of tiles? then I would put a bucket on the baja and fill it with h20 to the same height of the pthxool h20 and shut off the auto fill?

thx

It doesn’t matter where you set the pool water level so long as the bucket has the same amount of water in it at the beginning of the test. Don’t forget to mark the bucket. You obviously want the water level to be high enough so that you don’t risk the pump sucking air through the duration of the test.

 

[outdoorsgal]

i added some xtra h20 and i'll put blue tape on inside and outside of bucket. it's hard to tell if they're exactly equal

 

[outdoorsgal]

not perfect but close. I put some river rocks in it so it won't tip over

 

[Mdragger88]

The rocks will displace the water in the bucket making the level higher than the pool water. Be sure to scoop some water out of the bucket after the rocks are placed to make them equal

 

[outdoorsgal]

The rocks will displace the water in the bucket making the level higher than the pool water. Be sure to scoop some water out of the bucket after the rocks are placed to make them equal

oops. I misunderstood and thought I should take the rocks out after and then I could see how much h20 was left. I understand some drops will be on my hand and the rocks so that might skew it a bit. however, since it's been almost 24 hours doing it this way how do u think it'd work if I allowed it more time, took out the rocks and then measured the correct way for the next couple of days? Like an ABA test (without the 2d A) and giving less validity to the first A/test with the understanding the drops taken out might have been significant enough to alter the test.

 

[outdoorsgal]

I checked the bucket and it was hard to get an idea. It was a black bucket so not so easy to draw on and the bucket curves at the place I put the tape on the bucket so it was not as well done as I need to tell. some pieces of tape were higher than others. the good news it they seemed equal or maybe a little less h20 in the bucket. I'll have to get a light colored flat bucket that I can write in with pencil and do it the right way, taking out h20 after putting the rocks so that it's level. the dollar store bucket was also slightly rounded at the bottom and it was slightly breezy so h20 was moving.
so far so good though (I think) although it sounded like the auto fill could've been very slightly running, still, even when the pool was full above the middle tiles. It was hard to hear and tell for sure. I think if there were a leak I'd have to do this test for more than 24 hrs cuz it's probably not a big leak. i'll get another bucket and check back when i have time to see if I need to know anything else before starting the test again.

 

[proavia]

It is important to get your testing done and enter it all in PoolMath.
We need to see a complete set of current test results.

What is the specific reason you added acid when your pH was within range at 7.8
Did you test TA prior to your last two acid adds? If so, what was it? If not, why not?

What is the current CYA?
You added some and it's been dissolved over two days already.

Don't go off into the weeds about a possible leak. Get the pool balanced and then concern yourself with doing the bucket test after that. But also remember to continue testing.

 

[outdoorsgal]

It is important to get your testing done and enter it all in PoolMath.
We need to see a complete set of current test results.

What is the specific reason you added acid when your pH was within range at 7.8
Did you test TA prior to your last two acid adds? If so, what was it? If not, why not?

What is the current CYA?
You added some and it's been dissolved over two days already.

Don't go off into the weeds about a possible leak. Get the pool balanced and then concern yourself with doing the bucket test after that. But also remember to continue testing.

Gene, I didn't test TA the last 2 MA additions because I felt like I've done this long enough to know the TA is not going to get down to where I need it to be from 90 with 2 additions. I had mentioned I'd be very busy these 2 weeks and when that happens my #1 goal ends up being to prevent algae. I get nervous when I skip a day of testing FC and checking the panel but the FC was 14 so I'm keeping it high to at least get that main goal taken care of. I thought I could fit in the bucket homework at the same time. It's ideal to get it done before it gets even hotter. My dad is in town from the East coast and his health is not good so he's my priority above the pool or all else for the next couple days. I'll try to fit in a full test today and at a minimum the basics, but I always feel like the basics r keeping algae out of the pool. That's been my nightmare in the past. I realize that keeping it balanced is ideal but I'm not sure how else to fit it all in somexs. It takes me a while to do a full test. I know I go slow at this, too, with wanting to not overdue chemicals so hopefully it's not frustrating for y'all. I'd like the testing to be reasonable with my schedule. I can't wrap my mind around testing TA that often when it was just 90. Am I missing it? Could it get down to 60 with just 2 MA additions? Thx much.

 

[Mdragger88]

Could it get down to 60 with just 2 MA additions?

From 90 it could possibly fall to the 70’s or 80’s - as the ta lowers each acid addition will have a bigger impact. Knowing your ta is important when calculating acid for reducing ph so you want to check it & record it every couple rounds before adding more acid.
You’re getting close to your goal so you will need to watch it. Hopefully it is starting to mitigate your ph rise & have a good effect on your csi. You’re doing ok with the fc- you’re correct that adequate fc is paramount.
it’s currently a little high, but aiming for high target is fine
FC/CYA Levels. May can tick the swg back a little notch. The issue with riding above 10ppm is that it skews the ph test which makes your priority #2 (lowering ta) hard to do accurately.

You’re almost done with your initial adjustments after your fresh fill, then you’ll just be on maintenance street. That’s when it’s super important not to get complacent because it can be almost too easy.
Set a schedule that works for you & that you can stick with for doing the full battery of tests weekly then monitor ph & fc every couple days. Around 10-15 minutes once a week & maybe 5 minutes 3 days a week. Probably less if no adjustments are needed. This will ensure you catch back up quickly if something is wrong/askew. For tasks like this I set a reminder in my calendar on my phone or a recurring alarm. I’d forget everything if my phone didn’t remind me!

 

[outdoorsgal]

From 90 it could possibly fall to the 70’s or 80’s - as the ta lowers each acid addition will have a bigger impact. Knowing your ta is important when calculating acid for reducing ph so you want to check it & record it every couple rounds before adding more acid.
You’re getting close to your goal so you will need to watch it. Hopefully it is starting to mitigate your ph rise & have a good effect on your csi. You’re doing ok with the fc- you’re correct that adequate fc is paramount.
it’s currently a little high, but aiming for high target is fine
FC/CYA Levels. May can tick the swg back a little notch. The issue with riding above 10ppm is that it skews the ph test which makes your priority #2 (lowering ta) hard to do accurately.

You’re almost done with your initial adjustments after your fresh fill, then you’ll just be on maintenance street. That’s when it’s super important not to get complacent because it can be almost too easy.
Set a schedule that works for you & that you can stick with for doing the full battery of tests weekly then monitor ph & fc every couple days. Around 10-15 minutes once a week & maybe 5 minutes 3 days a week. Probably less if no adjustments are needed. This will ensure you catch back up quickly if something is wrong/askew. For tasks like this I set a reminder in my calendar on my phone or a recurring alarm. I’d forget everything if my phone didn’t remind me!

that's all helpful, thx.

You'll prob say there's no such thing as 7.7 pH but it was really hard to tell testing the pH indoors at night tonight and it seemed like 7.7 to me . I didn't do CYA yet since I didn't get to test during the day. I turned the SWG down from 65% to 50% (maybe more than a little notch?), which makes me nervous but it's a newer SWG and board but hopefully if I still watch it every 2 days FC won't get down too low. It's starting to get hotter for sure. I know I need to know what my CYA is to see where the FC should be.

I have so many reminders on my phone that when I go to set a new reminder it tells me I can't set more than 100. Somexs I ignore my phone and it drives my fam and myself crazy. I have a special tone for pool stuff like Gene had recommended . It's a happy dance tone that I've already grumbled about that I don't have time to dance- haha.

today's testing in poolmath:
fc15.5
ph7.7
TA80
Temp84
CSI-0.14