Hahaha! Just to reiterate: Go slowly on that CYA addition. You can always add more, but you can't lower it easily.
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- Thread starter Salsiccia
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Hahaha! Just to reiterate: Go slowly on that CYA addition. You can always add more, but you can't lower it easily.
Pool School - Basic Pool Care Schedule
What I find interesting on this link is there is no mention of brushing! At least every three days for the walls. Your cleaner should be able to take care of the bottom. I would still brush it the floor once a week just to be on the safe side. Algae can form a bio-film to "protect" it from chlorine.
Kim
What I find interesting on this link is there is no mention of brushing! At least every three days for the walls. Your cleaner should be able to take care of the bottom. I would still brush it the floor once a week just to be on the safe side. Algae can form a bio-film to "protect" it from chlorine.
Kim
You know how "It never rains, but it pours"?
I now have 2 more problems I need to solve.
My very old Barracuda suction cleaner seems to have finally bitten the dust - so to speak - as its definitely not actually sucking the dust. Just sits on the floor of the pool and stubbornly refuses to budge now.
I bought a brand new diaphragm for it on the weekend, but no joy.
I also have one of those telescopic handles for my manual vacuum / leaf net activities which you can normally lock in the extended position by twisting the 2 halves - that doesn't lock any more now.
Does anyone know how that mechanism works? I took it apart and it looks like there is an off-center "plug" on the end of the inner part of the pole that I guess is supposed to lock against the outer pole when you twist, due to it being mounted off centre. It looks like the plastic screw that attaches this plug to the end of the pole has snapped. The easy answer is probably just to buy a new one, but if I can fix this one that will save me some Christmas pennies !
I now have 2 more problems I need to solve.
My very old Barracuda suction cleaner seems to have finally bitten the dust - so to speak - as its definitely not actually sucking the dust. Just sits on the floor of the pool and stubbornly refuses to budge now.
I bought a brand new diaphragm for it on the weekend, but no joy.
I also have one of those telescopic handles for my manual vacuum / leaf net activities which you can normally lock in the extended position by twisting the 2 halves - that doesn't lock any more now.
Does anyone know how that mechanism works? I took it apart and it looks like there is an off-center "plug" on the end of the inner part of the pole that I guess is supposed to lock against the outer pole when you twist, due to it being mounted off centre. It looks like the plastic screw that attaches this plug to the end of the pole has snapped. The easy answer is probably just to buy a new one, but if I can fix this one that will save me some Christmas pennies !
There is this line under the "Weekly" section:
- Brush and/or vacuum the entire pool or run pool cleaner.
Yes go slowly on the CYA. Aim for 50 give it a week then retest before adding more. Not too sure on the extender pole but for the stuffing around it might be easier to replace . But it sounds like you have diagnosed the problem.
Thanks again guys, Don't worry, I'm definitely planning to go slowly with the CYA ! I need to practice measuring it as well.
Need to hunt out an old sock today and try that method as recommended on here.
PoolMath is suggesting that I need 700g to get from 30 to 50 and I don't think I'll get 700g in 1 sock so will definitely be taking it slowly - may even go with 2 socks - one for each return !!
I'm now also not 100% certain on my pool volume. According to my measurements I make it closer to 38K litres, but when Pool Guy came over when I first moved in he calculated it at 32K. Need to take some more accurate measurements. Its a pretty straightforward rectangular shape with a half moon step at each end so shouldn't be too hard to get pretty close.
Need to hunt out an old sock today and try that method as recommended on here.
PoolMath is suggesting that I need 700g to get from 30 to 50 and I don't think I'll get 700g in 1 sock so will definitely be taking it slowly - may even go with 2 socks - one for each return !!
I'm now also not 100% certain on my pool volume. According to my measurements I make it closer to 38K litres, but when Pool Guy came over when I first moved in he calculated it at 32K. Need to take some more accurate measurements. Its a pretty straightforward rectangular shape with a half moon step at each end so shouldn't be too hard to get pretty close.
Did you know that you can use the same solution to test CYA several times? It's a very hard test and you don't have a lot of CYA reagent.
Yes I did know that I can keep repeating the test, that is a useful trick.
Luckily I bought the Service size 2006C kit and that came with 3 of the 60 ml (2 oz) CYA reagants so I'm OK for now. I do know that it takes a bit for each test, but I'm already resigned to the fact that I'll be putting in a refill order and I see you can get super-sized bottles of the CYA so I'll probably aim for a couple of those. Also my expectation is that I will be testing probably more often in these early days as I start to figure things out, but I figure after I get closer to balanced and get a routine going my testing can become more planned. With my CYA down around 30 at the moment the tube was full so I need to get the CYA up so I can be more confident of recognising the correct endpoint - which will take practice - I know that !
Luckily I bought the Service size 2006C kit and that came with 3 of the 60 ml (2 oz) CYA reagants so I'm OK for now. I do know that it takes a bit for each test, but I'm already resigned to the fact that I'll be putting in a refill order and I see you can get super-sized bottles of the CYA so I'll probably aim for a couple of those. Also my expectation is that I will be testing probably more often in these early days as I start to figure things out, but I figure after I get closer to balanced and get a routine going my testing can become more planned. With my CYA down around 30 at the moment the tube was full so I need to get the CYA up so I can be more confident of recognising the correct endpoint - which will take practice - I know that !
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Confirmed - Pool Guy's estimate of my pool volume was out by a tad over 25% !
I figure now I'm going to be relying on PoolMath for quantity advice is probably important to get my volume right too !
Sig updated
I figure now I'm going to be relying on PoolMath for quantity advice is probably important to get my volume right too !
Sig updated
Good find on the weekly brushing or run pool cleaner. That is was happens when I skim LOL
Pole fix-I have two poles due to that very reason. One pole is out all of the way and stuck that way as the plastic parts messed up. My husband pushed some toothpicks down it and covered it with duct tape! I use it for the manual vacuum and getting stuff off the bottom of the pool. My other pole I just keep in the short position for top water skimming. I have been through many poles. I just gave up and live with two poles.
Kim
Pole fix-I have two poles due to that very reason. One pole is out all of the way and stuck that way as the plastic parts messed up. My husband pushed some toothpicks down it and covered it with duct tape! I use it for the manual vacuum and getting stuff off the bottom of the pool. My other pole I just keep in the short position for top water skimming. I have been through many poles. I just gave up and live with two poles.
Kim
I'd actually thought of tooth picks and duct tape as well.
I've discovered that because my pool isn't that big, I can actually reach the bottom of the deep end with the pole retracted if I stand on the half moon step at the deep end so I'll get by like that for now. Its nice and warm here now so its no problem having a paddle while I work !!
I've discovered that because my pool isn't that big, I can actually reach the bottom of the deep end with the pole retracted if I stand on the half moon step at the deep end so I'll get by like that for now. Its nice and warm here now so its no problem having a paddle while I work !!
Hi guys, Hoe everyone had / is having a great holiday.
Update: My current set of results:
FC: 7.5, CC: 0
pH: 7.4
TA: 60
CYA: 60
Salt: 4010
FC is a bit high so I've wound my output back on the SWG from 80% to 60%. Its running in 2 x 2 hour shifts per day now, early morning and early evening. Will keep an eye on this.
A couple of days ago I added more stabiliser and CYA is now climbing from 30 up to its current level of 60. Keeping a close eye on this.
pH fluctuates a little between 7.2 and 7.6 so just watching it for now.
The boss is very happy and was swimming on Christmas Day so all in good shape here
Update: My current set of results:
FC: 7.5, CC: 0
pH: 7.4
TA: 60
CYA: 60
Salt: 4010
FC is a bit high so I've wound my output back on the SWG from 80% to 60%. Its running in 2 x 2 hour shifts per day now, early morning and early evening. Will keep an eye on this.
A couple of days ago I added more stabiliser and CYA is now climbing from 30 up to its current level of 60. Keeping a close eye on this.
pH fluctuates a little between 7.2 and 7.6 so just watching it for now.
The boss is very happy and was swimming on Christmas Day so all in good shape here
Looking good Sal. Always good to get to the stage when the wife thinks that maybe you hadn't completely lost it over the pool. Especially when the pool looks better than ever. Apart from watching your FC levels it would be interesting to see how your pH holds up but signs are good.
Thanks Jezza, Yes I'm much happier now.
Interestingly the one measure that is fluctuating is the only one that is colour comparison based, not drop count / titration.
I get the missus to help me on that one as she's a graphic designer and has a much much better colour perception than I do.
We also had a ton of rain here yesterday and it was quite hot on Christmas day so I'm not surprised that its moving a bit.
Interestingly the one measure that is fluctuating is the only one that is colour comparison based, not drop count / titration.
I get the missus to help me on that one as she's a graphic designer and has a much much better colour perception than I do.
We also had a ton of rain here yesterday and it was quite hot on Christmas day so I'm not surprised that its moving a bit.
Sal, did I tell you about holding a white plate behind the PH test? I just a white, plastic plate behind the PH tube at arm length and eye level. I pull the plate back and forth until I have a solid match in my eyes.
I do this under my stove hood as I have a bright light there.
Kim
I do this under my stove hood as I have a bright light there.
Kim
Kim, No I don't recall your white plate trick. I do try to use a white wall, and I do my testing in a well lit area of the house and if in doubt I defer to the boss
I'll give the plate trick a try though - thanks !
I'll give the plate trick a try though - thanks !
I like the plate as I can keep the tube still and pull the plate back and forth. It seems to work a little better for me. Try it both ways and see which one works for you BUT.............ALWAYS defer to the boss LOL
Kim
Kim
Once I started thinking "is that yellowish/orange or reddish?" I began to see pH more clearly.
I went outside (bright sunshine) for the pH test yesterday and found it much easier. (used the plate trick too)