Hello from Houston, TX

[gtacs01]

Just getting started on maintaining my own pool. I just had my pool refinished and am taking responsibility for the maintenance. I was paying a pool company but decided to do it myself. Looking forward to learning as much as I can. Right now i need advice and training on a pool test kit.

Thanks

 

[pjt]

Hey neighbor, welcome.

How are you going to chlorinate? For our climate, I'd highly recommend a saltwater chlorine generator (SWCG).

If you're going with a SWCG, I'd suggest the TF-Pro Salt

If you're going with liquid chlorine, I'd suggest the TF-Pro.

Test Kits

tftestkits.net

Looking forward to learning as much as I can.

Start here:

ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry

There are several items things every pool owner should know about swimming pool water. We share details on the basics of Pool Water Chemistry.

www.troublefreepool.com

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum.
A great article to review DIY Pool Care: The Benefits of Taking Charge of Your Pool Maintenance - Further Reading

 

[gtacs01]

Hey neighbor, welcome.

How are you going to chlorinate? For our climate, I'd highly recommend a saltwater chlorine generator (SWCG).

If you're going with a SWCG, I'd suggest the TF-Pro Salt

If you're going with liquid chlorine, I'd suggest the TF-Pro.

Test Kits

tftestkits.net

Start here:

ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry

There are several items things every pool owner should know about swimming pool water. We share details on the basics of Pool Water Chemistry.

www.troublefreepool.com

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks for the welcome and the links. We are new to pool ownership and Texas. Right now we are doing liquid chlorine and tabs via a chlorinator. I don't really know anything about saltwater pools, are they better for texas? Are there any videos of how to use the test kits?
Thanks

 

[gtacs01]

Hey neighbor, welcome.

How are you going to chlorinate? For our climate, I'd highly recommend a saltwater chlorine generator (SWCG).

If you're going with a SWCG, I'd suggest the TF-Pro Salt

If you're going with liquid chlorine, I'd suggest the TF-Pro.

Test Kits

tftestkits.net

Start here:

ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry

There are several items things every pool owner should know about swimming pool water. We share details on the basics of Pool Water Chemistry.

www.troublefreepool.com

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

I just seen you are in the woodlands...I actually live in Tomball, TX Right off of Kuykendahl close to the Walmart just outside the woodlands by Augusta Pines, we really are neighbors, lol

 

[pjt]

We are new to pool ownership and Texas.

You've found the right place. This is the ultimate resource for pool owners.

Right now we are doing liquid chlorine and tabs via a chlorinator.

Going into winter, chlorine demand is very little. Since you probably just refilled your pool after a replaster, are you using a plaster startup guide?

Plaster Start-Up Guides - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

For the refill, did you note the start and end readings on your water meter?

I don't really know anything about saltwater pools, are they better for texas?

All chlorinated pools have salt in them. A "saltwater" pool still uses chlorine as its sanitizer, but uses a SWCG to generate fresh chlorine on site. It's by far the cheapest, easiest, and most convenient way of chlorinating your pool.

SWG How It Works - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Are there any videos of how to use the test kits?

The tests are fairly straightforward, but here are some helpful videos:

TF100TestKit

The TF-100 sets the standard for excellence in Pool Testing Kits. It contains 7 separate tests to give you accurate readings on each important pool water parameter.

www.youtube.com

we really are neighbors, lol

We are within walking distance.

 

[gtacs01]

Hey neighbor, welcome.

How are you going to chlorinate? For our climate, I'd highly recommend a saltwater chlorine generator (SWCG).

If you're going with a SWCG, I'd suggest the TF-Pro Salt

If you're going with liquid chlorine, I'd suggest the TF-Pro.

Test Kits

tftestkits.net

Start here:

ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry

There are several items things every pool owner should know about swimming pool water. We share details on the basics of Pool Water Chemistry.

www.troublefreepool.com

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

If you're going with liquid chlorine, I'd suggest the TF-Pro.

Alright I just ordered the TF-pro, tyvm for the tips. I watched the videos and, it seems pretty straight forward but, I'm sure I'll have questions.

thanks,
Frank

 

[PoolStored]

it seems pretty straight forward but, I'm sure I'll have questions.

Ask away!

 

[gtacs01]

Ok, got my test kit and the wife and I were very excited to figure this out we watched the videos linked above and went to it. We also bought the standard samples so we could calibrate our eyes to what it is supposed to look like. Here are a couple issues/questions...forgive me if they are stupid questions but, I don't got anyone else to ask, lol.

1. With my kit I bought the electronic ph tester...i am getting very inconsistent results. I ran thru the cal procedures and used up all my packets and my results are off and inconsistent. Anyone else have this issue?
2. Also, i took my water up to Leslie's to test my results against theirs...Iam very close but, they told me my phosphate levels were high (so i bought their weekly treatment to rid myself of phosphates). The test kit don't test for phosphates...is there another test I should get?
3. When doing the TA test you add drops until the water turns red...my wife and i had a deep discussion on whether the water was red or pink, lol. So, does it need to be red or pink? The difference between red/pink id 1 drop (or am i making a mountain out of a mole hill).
4. Do most people use liquid chlorine to chlorinate the pool? I am using the pucks but the instructions in the kit say to use liquid chloring and not the pucks?

Thanks for the help,
Frank

 

[PoolStored]

1. With my kit I bought the electronic ph tester...i am getting very inconsistent results. I ran thru the cal procedures and used up all my packets and my results are off and inconsistent. Anyone else have this issue?

This was my experience. I just use the phenol red and comparator block.

2. Also, i took my water up to Leslie's to test my results against theirs...Iam very close but, they told me my phosphate levels were high (so i bought their weekly treatment to rid myself of phosphates). The test kit don't test for phosphates...is there another test I should get?

No. Phosphates are generally irrelevant. Stay out of Leslie's. Your test kit is the gold standard. We don't recommend phosphate removers. It is just a way to sell you something you don't need.

Phosphate Removers - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

Non-Recommended Pool Chemicals

These pool chemicals should not be added to your pool. Save your money and frustration and avoid these chemicals!

www.troublefreepool.com

3. When doing the TA test you add drops until the water turns red...my wife and i had a deep discussion on whether the water was red or pink, lol. So, does it need to be red or pink? The difference between red/pink id 1 drop (or am i making a mountain out of a mole hill).

Add drops until the color does not change again. Subtract the last drop.

4. Do most people use liquid chlorine to chlorinate the pool? I am using the pucks but the instructions in the kit say to use liquid chloring and not the pucks?

Pucks add CYA and are not sustainable. Use liquid chlorine or get a salt water chlorine generator.

CONGRATS ON THE KIT!!!

 

[gtacs01]

This was my experience. I just use the phenol red and comparator block.

No. Phosphates are generally irrelevant. Stay out of Leslie's. Your test kit is the gold standard. We don't recommend phosphate removers. It is just a way to sell you something you don't need.

Phosphate Removers - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

Non-Recommended Pool Chemicals

These pool chemicals should not be added to your pool. Save your money and frustration and avoid these chemicals!

www.troublefreepool.com

Add drops until the color does not change again. Subtract the last drop.

Pucks add CYA and are not sustainable. Use liquid chlorine or get a salt water chlorine generator.

CONGRATS ON THE KIT!!!

Tyvm for the info. You are the second person to mention the SWCG. Would you recommend switching to the SWCG from my current system? What model of SWCG would you look at?

Thanks,
Frank

 

[PoolStored]

What is your current system?
Do you have automation?

Without automation, I'd get a Circupool RJ-60+. You want a system at least 2x the size of your pool.

 

[gtacs01]

What is your current system?
Do you have automation?

Without automation, I'd get a Circupool RJ-60+. You want a system at least 2x the size of your pool.

I don't have any type of automation. I have a 33k gallon plaster pool. Intelli-flo VSF pump i just bought. I chlorinate via pucks in a chlorinator. Let me look into the process of changing to a SWCG. Is it basically removing the chlorinator and putting in a SWCG? Where do you add the salt? Will the SWCG ruin my pool heater?

 

[pjt]

i bought their weekly treatment to rid myself of phosphates

Return it if possible.

Intelli-flo VSF pump i just bought

Which specific model?

I chlorinate via pucks in a chlorinator

That's not sustainable. Get a SWCG.

Where do you add the salt?

Directly to the water. Just dump the bags in and brush the salt to help it dissolve.

Will the SWCG ruin my pool heater?

No.

 

[JamesW]

TFP is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that is maintained by user donations.

All of our content is free of advertisements.

Please consider donating at:

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www.troublefreepool.com

 

[PoolStored]

I chlorinate via pucks in a chlorinator. Let me look into the process of changing to a SWCG. Is it basically removing the chlorinator and putting in a SWCG? Where do you add the salt? Will the SWCG ruin my pool heater?

I would remove the chlorinator and replace with the SWG.

Salt is not "consumed" by the SWG. It is converted to chlorinate, after it does its job, it returns to sodium and chloride in the pool water. After the initial dose, only splash out and backwashing/removing and replacing water will lower the salt level. Might be a few bags a year at 5-10$/bag.

If you decide to go this route, I'd start another thread, with pictures of your pad, and we can help you with recommendation on how to plumb.

SWG How It Works - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[gtacs01]

Return it if possible.


Which specific model?


That's not sustainable. Get a SWCG.


Directly to the water. Just dump the bags in and brush the salt to help it dissolve.


No.

Pentair Intelliflo 3 VSF

 

[gtacs01]

TFP is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that is maintained by user donations.

All of our content is free of advertisements.

Please consider donating at:

Become a TFP Supporter

Help Support TFP Trouble Free Pool is run by a dedicated group of volunteers that … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

Good to know...I'll make a donation. I mean all the money I'm saving after taking over my pool maintenance. Plus, I'm leaning a ton of stuff here.

 

[pjt]

Pentair Intelliflo 3 VSF

There are several models of this pump. Which specific model # do you have?

 

[gtacs01]

There are several models of this pump. Which specific model # do you have?

its either the 011065 or the 011066, I cant remember if it has the i/o board. I know it does not have the remote board to connect it to wifi, if i need to make changes to it i use my phone. the THP: 1.5 and the WEF: 9.4