Greetings from Manvel, TX

[FnC80]

Just completed our first pool, and the weekend we were to jump in the first time, Hurricane Harvey had other plans. We didn't flood, but a lot of friends and colleagues didn't fair as well, and I've been helping a lot with cleanup.

I left the chlorinator on max and pump running, along with the ozone on max, and a tireless robot cleaning out dirt and leaves (which we've nicknamed Harvey now) during the storm. Though after the Hurricane, pool tested pretty much as pure rainwater, which I could do as I was armed with my TF100 test kit prior to the storm. It stayed crystal clear through the duration much to my surprise. I had to add a ton of hardness, baking soda, stabilizer, and bleach to get things back on track. Also added boric acid to get it up to 50ppm at the same time, and I was going to do it before the storm, but when I saw it was going to hit I decided to wait.

I can honestly thank the vast knowledge on this site for both in the build, and in keeping the pool clear and on track after such a storm, aside from a curious habit of a constantly rising pH, which I'll ask in another thread.

We've been enjoying it immensely and our 19 month old is already showing some good swimming skills. Plus the spa has been great to relax in after a long day of pulling up floors and tearing out drywall. I do however feel bad about being so fortunate when so many others suffered such loss.

Anyway, below are a few pictures of the build process and final product. We couldn't be happier.

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17.7k gal, 98 ft perimeter, IG quartz, 3HP EcoStar VSP, 1.5HP TriStar Dual Speed, 725 sq ft SwimClear Cartridge, Rainbow chlorinator, Paramount clear O3, Pro Logic controller, 500k BTU heater, AquaVac 500, Spillover Spa, 3 sheer waterfalls, 3 bubblers.

 

[zea3]

Hi, welcome to TFP! Next season I would ditch the chlorinator and the ozone system. Ozone is really not needed in outdoor pools. The sun provides all the free ozone you need! It is normal to see a consistent rise in pH with new plaster for approximately the first year. Just keep an eye on it and add MA as needed to bring it back down.

The pool is beautiful and so is the baby! Don't feel too bad about surviving the storm without damage. We who were lucky enough to avoid serious damage are needed to help those who fared far worse. Imagine what it would be like if we were all in the same boat and there was no one available to help. Thank you for being a good neighbor and helping those in need.

 

[FnC80]

It's quite something and heartening to go into a flooded neighborhood and witness neighbors helping neighbors, friends and family, colleagues, and even complete strangers offering to lend a hand. It's great to know we live in such a community that no matter how bad things can get, someone will always lend a hand.

The plan is to ditch the chlorinator, as with the testing I've been doing (probably over testing) it's hard to get it consistent. For some reason it spiked to almost 9 a few days ago, even though I didn't touch the dial... and have since turned it off as I wait for levels to come down some. The ozone I wasn't aware of. I'm hoping by next season things will be stable enough I just need to add bleach when needed and perhaps minor other things after big rains. Thanks for the welcome


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17.7k gal, 98 ft perimeter, IG quartz, 3HP EcoStar VSP, 1.5HP TriStar Dual Speed, 725 sq ft SwimClear Cartridge, Rainbow chlorinator, Paramount clear O3, Pro Logic controller, 500k BTU heater, AquaVac 500, Spillover Spa, 3 sheer waterfalls, 3 bubblers.

 

[woodyp]

I'm really liking that curved edge spa top ledge.