Just opened first pool tests done, now what?

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I'd hate to think of you buying the manual hose, vac head and pole if you're thinking of going for a robot?
Have you decided if you're gonna get one? Call around locally if you want, but do call Marina (posted above) and she ships fast too.
 
YippeeSkippy said:
I'd hate to think of you buying the manual hose, vac head and pole if you're thinking of going for a robot?
Have you decided if you're gonna get one? Call around locally if you want, but do call Marina (posted above) and she ships fast too.
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Ah, thought the vacuum was something I'd use in addition to the robot. No, I'm going to order the robot asap, today got away from me and I was counting on the cleaning crew that never showed up. I'm definitely getting a robot.

At this point should i still be maintaining SLAM FC levels? Pool looks very clear, just a fair amount of dirty settling at the bottom. I suspect filter needs to be backwashed
 
easy-e said:
Ah, thought the vacuum was something I'd use in addition to the robot. No, I'm going to order the robot asap, today got away from me and I was counting on the cleaning crew that never showed up. I'm definitely getting a robot.

At this point should i still be maintaining SLAM FC levels? Pool looks very clear, just a fair amount of dirty settling at the bottom. I suspect filter needs to be backwashed
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Robot replaces the need for manual vacuum. It’s basically a long hose and a suction tube/head with wheels that you attach between a skimmer intake and the vacuum cleaner head and it sucks everything into your filter.

Up to you on chlorine. Some people like to keep it going for an extra day or two just to make sure. But keep an eye on it until the floor is vacuumed up.
 
Bperry said:
Robot replaces the need for manual vacuum. It’s basically a long hose and a suction tube/head with wheels that you attach between a skimmer intake and the vacuum cleaner head and it sucks everything into your filter.

Up to you on chlorine. Some people like to keep it going for an extra day or two just to make sure. But keep an eye on it until the floor is vacuumed up.
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Hmmm. There is a pole attachment in the shed that sounds like what you are describing, it's a flat piece with wheels attached. Maybe I do have a vacuum after all, though still getting the robot either way.
 
easy-e said:
Hmmm. There is a pole attachment in the shed that sounds like what you are describing, it's a flat piece with wheels attached. Maybe I do have a vacuum after all, though still getting the robot either way.
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And there should be a really long hose/flexible tube and one end will snap on to that flat piece. If you get a robot, you'll never use this thing again!
1650365055052.png1650365109989.png
 
V___25 said:
And there should be a really long hose/flexible tube and one end will snap on to that flat piece. If you get a robot, you'll never use this thing again!
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Yes! I have this!

Again - I'm getting the robot but I just don't want to pay this pool company to clean out of principle now lol

So the vacuum picture above uses the pump for suction?
 
Yup- you use your existing pump and filter. You may have a vacuum skimmer plate like this. If you do, one end of that big hose connects to this, the other end connects to the flat piece on wheels. Open your skimmer cover and then the skimmer plate with hose attached goes over the skimmer so that the stuff you vacuum up goes through the hose, into your skimmer, and into your pump, then filter. The guy in this video just puts the other end of the hose right down the skimmer hole but that could clog up your skimmer if you have big debris like leaves and stuff.

You have to prime the vacuum tube though first so that it's full of water and not air. Hold the hose against a return jet until it's full of water.

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Oh and one end of that big hose will spin or swivel - the end goes on the actual vacuum attachment. The end that does not move or turn is attached to the skimmer plate.
 
V___25 said:
Yup- you use your existing pump and filter. You should have a vacuum skimmer plate like this. One end of that big hose connects to this, the other end connects to the flat piece on wheels. Open your skimmer cover and then the skimmer plate with hose attached goes over the skimmer so that the stuff you vacuum up goes through the hose, into your skimmer, and into your pump, then filter.
You have to prime the vacuum tube though first so that the pressure stays which I was never good at. That skimmer plate should suction down tight against your skimmer. Lots of youtube videos - just grabbed this one:

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You may not need the plate. If you take the long hose and feed it vertically down into the pool water, it’ll fill up and prime. Then take one end of the hose and feed it through the skimmer opening and the hose plugs into the skimmer suction hole. You can also use a return jet to force water into the hose to prime it.
 
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I just added that about the plate not being necessary- I was always paranoid of clogging the skimmer for no logic reason and used the plate and skimmer basket.
 

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Cleaners finally came today. They actually called yesterday to tell me they weren't going to be able to make it but apparently called my realtor (who is my brother) instead. Long story.

Anyway, I think we are looking pretty good! I've attached a photo. Unfortunately it is way too cold for a dip.

Did the daily chlorine/Ph test. Chlorine levels are still very high not surprisingly so I can just leave that alone for now I assume. Ph somewhere in the 7.5 to 7.8 range.

CH - 225ppm
TA - 90

Both on low side. Assume I should bring these up and will review the Pool School pages regarding this.
 

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easy-e said:
Cleaners finally came today. They actually called yesterday to tell me they weren't going to be able to make it but apparently called my realtor (who is my brother) instead. Long story.

Anyway, I think we are looking pretty good! I've attached a photo. Unfortunately it is way too cold for a dip.

Did the daily chlorine/Ph test. Chlorine levels are still very high not surprisingly so I can just leave that alone for now I assume. Ph somewhere in the 7.5 to 7.8 range.

CH - 225ppm
TA - 90

Both on low side. Assume I should bring these up and will review the Pool School pages regarding this.
Click to expand...
Remember the pH test is invalid when the free chlorine is above 10 ppmSo don’t bother with pH until it gets below 10
 
Bperry said:
Remember the pH test is invalid when the free chlorine is above 10 ppmSo don’t bother with pH until it gets below 10
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Ah, forgot about that!

mknauss said:
You can raise CH a bit. You can add calcium chloride or use cal hypo to chlorinate with for awhile.
TA is a bit high. So manage pH and it will stabilize.
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Will do. Will manage pH more once the FC levels go down a bit.
 
Another question, didn't think it made sense to start a new thread when I have this one going. I want to get the calcium levels up a bit. I have the Clorox Calcium Hardness Increaser but it says nothing about ingredients, whether it's entirely calcium chloride or not, etc so I am very wary about using it. If anyone knows whether this product is usable or just return it and get pure calcium chloride, I'd appreciate the advice.
 
Bperry said:
Don’t add it all at once. Sneak up on the value you want every couple days.
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Good to know. Going to test shortly. Pool Math says 350-650 is ideal. Any idea what I should aim for? Older plaster pool, showing some signs of wear (yellowish spots). Not sure what other info would be helpful, but adding 35 lbs of calcium chloride seems like alot

edit to add - so adding the 4lb bag brought it up to around 250ppm. Water still looks very clear.
 
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