Maintaining FC with polyquat-60

datadr93

Gold Supporter
Jun 4, 2024
201
Eastern Ohio
Pool Size
11400
Surface
Fiberglass
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair iChlor 15
If you don't like the weather in Ohio... Wait 5 minutes

During winter, we can be sub-zero for days and 12 hours later be in the 70s. Could pool go above 60 during winter months? Not out of the question.

Mesh cover. FC 7.5 at close after drop from 12 (included the 3.5 FC to compensate for the poly). Ran 16oz polyquat-60 for 24 hours prior to draining, purging pumps, and shutting down pool. Plan to check FC monthly during close period (thru end March/early April).

At what FC level do I add further chlorine (10%) without degrading the polyquat since we want that to maintain until opening.
 
Mesh cover. FC 7.5 at close after drop from 12 (included the 3.5 FC to compensate for the poly). Ran 16oz polyquat-60 for 24 hours prior to draining, purging pumps, and shutting down pool. Plan to check FC monthly during close period (thru end March/early April).
I have done the following the last few year in Ashtabula, mesh cover....Slam. Let FC come down to halfway between SLAM level and normal, add the PQ. I don't touch it until March 15, when I soft open under the mesh...FC was 2 last year and 2.5 this year, CYA was gone. Open the mesh April 15. I have not had to add any chlorine.

If you are really worried about it and want to add chlorine, you will need to have a dolphin/robot. First to mix the water sufficiently (rain/snow water will stratify on the surface in winter). You need to mix it up good before you test. Then you need a sump pump to pour the chlorine over so that it will mix and not pool on the bottom and damage the liner. Then you will want to run the robot again to mix the chlorine.

If your water was below 60, the PQ and chlorine should be good through mid May in our environment.
 
My level (7.5) was below half slam level (10) when added the poly. CC 0. CYA 50. CH 170. pH 7.4 and TA increased to 90 (normally kept at 70). Water temp was 50.

I have dolphin but sounds like a lot of work to add chlorine that may not be needed. First year closing but sounds like advice from TFP should keep me solid until soft opening. Looking to do similar with fill mid-March but maintain mesh until April hard opening.
 
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Another pro tip. I throw the dolphin in when I soft open. Soft open is full start of pool equipment and chemical balancing. Lots of worms and leaves, so I just keep running it until it comes back empty, then run once a day. Always open ~April 15 to a spotless pool.
 
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Yep. Use those spring/fine filters still in packaging. Never needed to use during first year install.

I get free first year open and he said he'll be ready mid-March.
 
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