The purpose of this post is to describe a myriad of changes I made to my pool system since it was first completed four years ago. It is my first pool and I grew to hate it very quickly.
When the pool was first commissioned, the contractor had a “pool guy” come every week until I learned how to manage the pool myself. His method was strictly seat-of-the-pants. When I ask how much Clorox I should put in the pool, he replied “well just blurp in a little every week”. He literally tested the pool with a “yellow, not so yellow” test kit and then just dumped some Clorox into the pool without measuring anything. He just stopped showing up after a couple of weeks and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Now I had to figure this out myself. So hats off to troublefreepool, which has been invaluable throughout my learning process. Without it I would still be floundering around and hating the pool more every day.
So here is the Before:
The second problem is that the pool and spa were completely separate systems. Once I learned that once a week testing and adjusting weren't nearly enough, I started to daily test and adjust chlorine and pH for both systems. A huge pain. I eventually got to where I could go every other day but any longer than that readings would get well out of nominal. Your mileage may vary, but If I went on vacation for two weeks I might very well come home to "the green monster".
And here are the changes I made:
Bill
Kailua Kona, HI
When the pool was first commissioned, the contractor had a “pool guy” come every week until I learned how to manage the pool myself. His method was strictly seat-of-the-pants. When I ask how much Clorox I should put in the pool, he replied “well just blurp in a little every week”. He literally tested the pool with a “yellow, not so yellow” test kit and then just dumped some Clorox into the pool without measuring anything. He just stopped showing up after a couple of weeks and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Now I had to figure this out myself. So hats off to troublefreepool, which has been invaluable throughout my learning process. Without it I would still be floundering around and hating the pool more every day.
So here is the Before:
- 15,000 gallon pool w/ Pentair single speed pump
- Completely separate 700 gallon spa w/ Pentair filter and jet pumps
- Motorized valve to divert pool water into a waterfall nozzle on the side of the spa back into the pool.
- Pool controller for which I had no reprogramming capability
The second problem is that the pool and spa were completely separate systems. Once I learned that once a week testing and adjusting weren't nearly enough, I started to daily test and adjust chlorine and pH for both systems. A huge pain. I eventually got to where I could go every other day but any longer than that readings would get well out of nominal. Your mileage may vary, but If I went on vacation for two weeks I might very well come home to "the green monster".
And here are the changes I made:
- Replaced the single speed pool pump with a variable speed.
Pretty easy since the fittings were in exactly the same place. I measured and calculated the variable speed pump saves me over $40/month. - Added a salt water chlorine generator to the pool.
I had to replace the generator after three years, but it's still way cheaper than adding Clorox. And obviously less trouble. - Made it all one system.
I had a notch cut into the spa right where the waterfall nozzle was. I then added a check valve and a few feet of plumbing. Now when the waterfall valve is operated, pool water flows into the spa and overflows back into the pool. I run this for an hour per day to flush the spa. Only one system to test and add chemistry to now! - Added an acid metering system to automatically control pH. (Yet to be completed.)
- Designed and built my own controller.
I realize most pool owners can't do this but I have the background and I was on a mission to make the pool truly a “once a week” maintenance task so I need the ability to make fundamental changes to system control. Once the salt water generator and acid metering system are dialed in I might be able to get away with once every two or three weeks.
- Install a variable speed pump – it saves electricity and it's a lot quieter.
- Automate both chlorine and pH control. Once it's dialed in you really can get away with once a week maintenance or even longer.
- Use troublefreepool to learn how to do proper maintenance. I can't speak for you but my “pool guy” and the local pool store are clueless. If you want it done right....
Bill
Kailua Kona, HI
Thanks for the feedback. Have a great weekend. 
