New Build - Illinois Suburbs - Leisure Pools Elegance 23

[Rebel-Redbird]

The rain will help compact the dirt so it is not all bad.

What will be going between the deck and wall?

Kim

Soldier course to match the existing patio, then rock bed and fence. We didn't want to fence in our whole yard so just building around the pool itself for safety reasons (and code obviously.)

 

[jtburf]

Project Looks great, I am not sure I would party with those folks.

They look mighty stiff!!


LOL


John

 

[kimkats]

That is going to look awesome when it is done and the "stiffs" have some adult drinks in them LOL

Kim

 

[Rebel-Redbird]

After a few weeks of rain our patio was poured today. PB got the heat cranking to 85 since they were wading around to smooth concrete.

SWG is cranking, I saw them mixing muriatic acid into the water so they’re balancing.

I am itching to take ownership, but frankly, part of the price of the package was for the PB to get the water balanced. Figure I need to sit back and let them (well it’s my money I paid them I’m sure) use their chemicals/salt rather than me starting to use mine. I’ll get to test/balance myself soon enough.

 

[kimkats]

Brett, You DO need to test your water NOW. They do not come out every day BUT your pH will push up every day as the plaster is curing. Best to keep on top of the pH and TA so your plaster will last a good, long time!

Kim

 

[Rebel-Redbird]

Brett, You DO need to test your water NOW. They do not come out every day BUT your pH will push up every day as the plaster is curing. Best to keep on top of the pH and TA so your plaster will last a good, long time!

Kim

It’s a fiberglass pool, so didn’t think I needed to worry about the surface that way. Or am I needing to worry about the concrete deck/patio somehow?

 

[kimkats]

Sorry about that................it sure looks like a concrete pool set up! Could you please add the fiberglass to your signature (not that I always look at that but it might help others). You are good as far as plaster curing pushing the pH up. What you need to worry about it keeping the water balanced so you do not get scaling on the pool sides or in the SWG on the cell.

Kim

 

[Rebel-Redbird]

First results from my own testing. Ph was high so used Pool Math to add muriatic acid. This result is from the second ph test I ran a few hours later (pump running to circulate pool). Dropped ph back down to 7.2 for the TA levels to hopefully come down with aeration.

Haven’t added any CYA; I have a meeting with the PB soon and they can dial it in with their chemicals.

TC was 3 and FC was 3, it has been in the 50s for a month so there isn’t a lot of work for the chlorine to be doing I imagine. Zero CC from my test.

We’re still weeks away from actually swimming so I was mostly testing water to get familiar with my kit.

 

[kimkats]

We will work on getting the TA down when everything else is in and balanced. You are well on your way to having an awesome summer!!!

Kim

 

[Rebel-Redbird]

Water tested safe and weather was nice enough we got to enjoy the pool for the first time this weekend! Project is still half finished but water itself was beautiful. Guests kept commenting how “different” in a good way the salt water felt. I think we’re just used to swimming in public pools that leave you stinking of chlorine.

Hardscapers came out to finish the soldier course today. Think it blends nicely with our existing patio!

Second round of water testing adding stabilizer:
FC: 3.0 (turned SWG up to 10% from 8% after this result, recommended chlorine level closer to 4.0 correct)
CC: 0
Ph: 7.6 (added muriatic after this reading to bring down to 7.0 to help with TA)
TA: 140-150 (came down a bit from last test, hoping the rain, pushing ph down, and kiddies splashing on Sunday will help bring it down.)
CH: 130 (I ordered calcium chloride to add, I believe I should be closer to 220-330 for fiberglass)
CYA: 80 (up from 0 after adding the amount recommended via poolmath using the sock method for 24 hour pump running dissolve)

Hopefully landscaping can finish tomorrow and then fence installed. In the hole stretch!!!

 

[kimkats]

I am in love with how you did the decking. That looks awesome! Very stricking!

Seems like you have a firm grip on the water testing and balancing! Well done!

Glad you are able to enjoy your pool already! SWEET!

Kim

 

[Rebel-Redbird]

Well, after about three weeks of rain all through April, I was given over the keys to the pool (as it were) and fence and landscaping installed. It’s 70 degrees here this evening and after putting the furniture and lighting up the wife and I sat and breathed a sigh of relief. Construction finished, time to enjoy it. Thanks all for the feedback and kind words.

 

[kimkats]

Man that came out SO pretty!!! So classy looking! I love everything about it!!!

How is the water care going? Having any problems or concerns?

Kim

 

[Rebel-Redbird]

Thanks Kim!

Water care looking good:

FC: 4.8
CC: .4
Ph: 7.4
TA: 150 (down from 170 a few days ago)
CYA: 80
CH: 120
Salt: 3600

So, I guess I’m curious about Calcium Hardness. I don’t have any metal in my pool and there is no concrete in contact with the water to leech. PB told me (seemed like his personal opinion) that since it’s fiberglass I shouldn’t really worry about CH. He was even recommending keeping it low to prevent scaling on the SWG.

Should I raise it, or am I fine? Am I missing something like....low CH will eventually cause water to corrode metals in my heater or something?

 

[kimkats]

I think it is time for you to look at CSI:
Calcite Saturation Index - requires pH, TA, CH, CYA, Temp, uses Borate, Salt
Less than -0.6 is suggestive of problems for plaster, tile, stone, and pebble pools.
Greater than 0.6 is suggestive of problems for all pools.

This will help keep any scaling of the pool and swg in check. The water temp is VERY important for the CSI.

Use Pool Math PoolMath - Trouble Free Pool and play with the different areas to see what your pool would like.

There are several threads about CSI. When you do the search click on the G option to get the best search. There are so many it was hard to pick just one for you to read.

Kim

 

[Rebel-Redbird]

Thanks for the CSI tip, Kim. Bumped CH to 200 per the recommendation in my heaters manual.

CSI of .04 currently. Boom!

We got to swim a bunch today.....I can’t tell you how happy I was seeing my daughter bring a new friend in the neighborhood over for a swim and then have some family friends over for a night swim. Just a mix of grinning and quiet “this is nice” thoughts.

Appreciate everyone’s help and feedback on this build. I might post a few more pics after landscaping bounces back from construction so everyone can see the final results!

 

[Elginsteve]

Your pool looks great. I am considering having Signature Pools install a Leisure pools Reflection 33. Are you still happy with the pool and the service you received? Thanks,

Steve

 

[Rebel-Redbird]

Your pool looks great. I am considering having Signature Pools install a Leisure pools Reflection 33. Are you still happy with the pool and the service you received? Thanks,

Steve

Hey Steve,

Sorry, didn’t see this notification until today. I have been satisfied with Signature. We’ve had a light go out twice and both times Signature replaced within a day or two. Manufacturer defects happen but the fact they fixed the issue so quickly speaks volumes.

Construction went smoothly, and even a year later the owner still responds to a random question I have via text messages when I send them.

As a heads up, if you do end up going with them (and feel free to PM me if you want to talk more directly or anything) you’ll get a list from their resident pool expert with a bunch of chemicals to buy. I wasn’t fully knowledgeable from TFP yet and probably spent about $150 on bags of stuff that are still sitting in my storage closet.

 

[Rebel-Redbird]

As for the pool itself, I couldn’t be happier. Especially this summer with pools closed we’ve been in it every nice day. The pool was the wife’s idea and I was a little hesitant at first. But like how the family dog can become “yours” I’ve embraced the care of this beauty and couldn’t be happier.

Once I have the chemicals and SWG “dialed in” for the season I only need to test weekly and can just “tell” that things are good in between.

Guests love the salt water feel and lower chlorine. Fiberglass is so nice for keeping it clean with simple brushing occasionally and throwing a robot/vacuuming.

knock on wood but owned it for a year, and haven’t had to do anything drastic like a SLAM even upon opening because of following the TFP method and using the Pool Math app for tracking levels

 

[Elginsteve]

As for the pool itself, I couldn’t be happier. Especially this summer with pools closed we’ve been in it every nice day. The pool was the wife’s idea and I was a little hesitant at first. But like how the family dog can become “yours” I’ve embraced the care of this beauty and couldn’t be happier.

Once I have the chemicals and SWG “dialed in” for the season I only need to test weekly and can just “tell” that things are good in between.

Guests love the salt water feel and lower chlorine. Fiberglass is so nice for keeping it clean with simple brushing occasionally and throwing a robot/vacuuming.

knock on wood but owned it for a year, and haven’t had to do anything drastic like a SLAM even upon opening because of following the TFP method and using the Pool Math app for tracking levels

Thank you for your response. I’m glad you are enjoying the pool and had such a good experience with the construction and maintenance. I have only heard good things about signature, it makes me feel very comfortable to work with them.