Hello! Newbie from northeast WI

[jessab]

Hi all! I’m Jess from Wisconsin. My family and I got our very first pool installed a month ago and so far we are loving it. It’s a 27’ round semi in-ground Optimum pool. I didn’t know anything about anything when I purchased the pool package, and it included a Frog Leap system. A quick search on this site revealed to me that they maybe aren’t the greatest systems. Dang. I don’t plan to remove it, but it sounds like I can just not put anything it in and pretend it’s not there, right? I also recently purchased a solar ionizer, which many also don’t recommend, hey? I’m batting 1000 here. Good news is that I purchased it from Costco so it is returnable.
I have already had some issues with Water Boatmen in my pool (usually less than 10), which lets me know that there must be microscopic algae (at minimum) in my pool. I don’t quite get it since the water is crystal clear and my chlorine levels usually read higher than they should. My CYA is in range (46ish). My Alkalinity is quite high (over 250 last test) and I’ve been struggling to get that down. pH is high as well at 8+. Working on that with muriatic acid.

Anyway I’m starting to ramble so I’ll leave it there. I’ll take any suggestions you all can offer!

Thank you!
Jess

P.S. I have read the ABCs and Pool School articles. Great info!

 

[reggiehammond]

First off, how are you chlorinating and how are you testing? You are correct to avoid mineral packs and solar doo-hickey. What you need is plain old chlorine.
Test Kits Compared
FC/CYA Levels

Insects are not evidence of unsanitary water; they just are what they are. If you have them, you'll have to deal with them, but it does not indicate anything is necessarily wrong.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP!

 

[jessab]

First off, how are you chlorinating and how are you testing? You are correct to avoid mineral packs and solar doo-hickey. What you need is plain old chlorine.
Test Kits Compared
FC/CYA Levels

Insects are not evidence of unsanitary water; they just are what they are. If you have them, you'll have to deal with them, but it does not indicate anything is necessarily wrong.

I’m currently using the torpedo pac that is with the frog system, which is filled with chlorine tablets. To save myself some money, I cut a hole in the top of it to fill with other tablets I’ve purchased (BioGuard silk complete) which I see people on here don’t recommend (again, I was late to the party learning all this). Once I’m through the jug I purchased I can switch to something else (next year. I’ll be closing end of Sept, likely). Do you recommend liquid chlorine? Powder? Regular bleach?

The bugs don’t bother me too much, but I don’t want the boatmen to attract backswimmers which BITE!

 

[Newdude]

Hey Jess and Welcome !!!!

again, I was late to the party learning all this

You figured it out 7 years sooner than me, so well done there.

I have already had some issues with Water Boatmen in my pool (usually less than 10), which lets me know that there must be microscopic algae

I butt up to a farm and are over run by all things flying at times. Sometimes they all just want to swim. (Or accidentally swim and die because they shouldn't have fallen in)

It’s a 27’ round semi in-ground Optimum pool.

Those are built like a tank. I'm sure your grandkids will love it.

Sadly, sometimes as a Moderator I'm tasked with enforcing rules to ensure everything runs smoothly. You, Miss, have run afowl of interwebs rule # 32, more commonly known as 'pics or it didn't happen'. Please correct this transgression at once.

 

[jessab]

Hey Jess and Welcome !!!!



You figured it out 7 years sooner than me, so well done there.



I butt up to a farm and are over run by all things flying at times. Sometimes they all just want to swim. (Or accidentally swim and die because they shouldn't have fallen in)

Those are built like a tank. I'm sure your grandkids will love it.

Sadly, sometimes as a Moderator I'm tasked with enforcing rules to ensure everything runs smoothly. You, Miss, have run afowl of interwebs rule # 32, more commonly known as 'pics or it didn't happen'. Please correct this transgression at once.

Haha…a pic of the pool? Well here you go. And a pic of the water boatmen for fun

 

[jessab]

Hey Jess and Welcome !!!!



You figured it out 7 years sooner than me, so well done there.



I butt up to a farm and are over run by all things flying at times. Sometimes they all just want to swim. (Or accidentally swim and die because they shouldn't have fallen in)

Those are built like a tank. I'm sure your grandkids will love it.

Sadly, sometimes as a Moderator I'm tasked with enforcing rules to ensure everything runs smoothly. You, Miss, have run afowl of interwebs rule # 32, more commonly known as 'pics or it didn't happen'. Please correct this transgression at once.

I do hope my grandkids get to enjoy it someday….but not for many years, please! My kids are 14 & 16

 

[Newdude]

My kids are 14 & 16

Then maybe the great grandkids will enjoy it. Grandkids, even 10 years from now is too easy for an Optimum pool. Anywho, you did good.

 

[Newdude]

Also, read the basics again occasionally. Each time through some more might stick that you sped through the first time or 3.

And then head over to the TFP Wiki located towards the bottom of any fourm page or in the left side bar. If you have a thought, any thought, it probably fits into one of the many topics covered, alphabetical so it's easy to find.

 

[jessab]

Also, read the basics again occasionally. Each time through some more might stick that you sped through the first time or 3.

And then head over to the TFP Wiki located towards the bottom of any fourm page or in the left side bar. If you have a thought, any thought, it probably fits into one of the many topics covered, alphabetical so it's easy to find.

Thank you!

 

[reggiehammond]

I’m currently using the torpedo pac that is with the frog system, which is filled with chlorine tablets. To save myself some money, I cut a hole in the top of it to fill with other tablets I’ve purchased (BioGuard silk complete) which I see people on here don’t recommend (again, I was late to the party learning all this). Once I’m through the jug I purchased I can switch to something else (next year. I’ll be closing end of Sept, likely). Do you recommend liquid chlorine? Powder? Regular bleach?

First, it's not wise to mix tablets in a feeder. If you accidentally mix CalHypo and Trichlor, it will very literally explode.

Also make sure you understand what these chemicals are adding. Tabs or granules will quickly get you to excessive CYA or excessive Calcium levels. Neither are recommended for long-term use, but both are ok provided you understand what they're adding.

TFP mainly relies on two chlorination methods: Liquid Chlorine or a Salt Water Chlorine Generator. I'd give up and fill in my pool if it didn't have a SWCG.

 

[jessab]

First, it's not wise to mix tablets in a feeder. If you accidentally mix CalHypo and Trichlor, it will very literally explode.

Also make sure you understand what these chemicals are adding. Tabs or granules will quickly get you to excessive CYA or excessive Calcium levels. Neither are recommended for long-term use, but both are ok provided you understand what they're adding.

TFP mainly relies on two chlorination methods: Liquid Chlorine or a Salt Water Chlorine Generator. I'd give up and fill in my pool if it didn't have a SWCG.

After much reading on this site I have a better understanding, and I very much appreciate the info on the chemical reaction that could happen. Don’t want that. For now I’ve decided to stick with liquid chlorine and am going to look into switching next year to a SWCG.