Greetings all!
Oh how happy I am to have found this forum. I have been visiting religiously for about a month now reading for upwards of 1-2 hours a day, much of it on Pool School and through the other "new pool owner" type of threads. I feel like I am coming along nicely with learning about pool chemistry and understanding how a pool operates.
To admit my "noobiness" with pools... I have never owned, nor lived at, a home that had a pool in it other than the $6 plastic ones you throw away at the end of the season, in my 30+ years of life. Well all that is about to change in a matter of days! We are moving into our new home over this week and staring at us with wishful, yet cautious, glee is our new to us pool. I've updated my signature with the information of what I know and have pictures (linked below) to prove with.
Basically I'm looking for TFP's help with understanding my pool. I want to know, from you, that I know what I should know, to know how to operate this pool.

Anyways I'll link some pictures of the basic layout of the pool, the mechanicals, and finally many of the wonderful chemicals the previous owners used (from what i have read so far, I feel like I have some work ahead of me!)
First, the location of the pool in all of its closed and covered glory


Next, the mechanical stuff (Located inside one part of the shed in the back)

Am i correct in assuming the below picture is of the drain lines (Why is one turned off the other not?)
Pentair TA60 Sand Filter (Installed April 2002)

Pump - From what I can tell (didn't look TOO hard) it is a 1HP single speed pump (again probably installed April 2002)

AND the chemicals used by previous owner.... I have a feeling I may not be needing these!


So that's where I am at currently. The pool will probably remain as is until mid-late April as up here in Northern Indiana farmland, its averaging around 48-50 degrees and from what I have read, algae doesn't like that.
First thing's first though, gotta put up fence around the pool... 3 little ones 6 and under and 1 on the way makes for a worried mother and father without it being surrounded completely from the rest of the yard!
NOW, here's a few questions for you/me to mull over:
1) Can I do anything right now to figure out where my pool is at chemistry-wise? (Haven't ordered TF100 kit yet, but its on the "soon to purchase" radar)
2) The mechanicals seem older, what should I look for before firing it up?
3) Advice? (Yes I AM reading up on Pool School!!!)
I really really really look forward to being a part of this forum and learning about my newest "baby" to take care of.... (good thing no diapers though!)
I'm sure I'll use this thread to update with things, post up thoughts and further questions. From what I have read so far, you all are very helpful and understanding of the pool virgins.
CHEERS!
P.S. I apologize if the picture size is too big (let me know if I need to resize them at all), I'm on my laptop to put up this monstrosity of a post, typically i'll probably post from the Tapatalk app.
Oh how happy I am to have found this forum. I have been visiting religiously for about a month now reading for upwards of 1-2 hours a day, much of it on Pool School and through the other "new pool owner" type of threads. I feel like I am coming along nicely with learning about pool chemistry and understanding how a pool operates.
To admit my "noobiness" with pools... I have never owned, nor lived at, a home that had a pool in it other than the $6 plastic ones you throw away at the end of the season, in my 30+ years of life. Well all that is about to change in a matter of days! We are moving into our new home over this week and staring at us with wishful, yet cautious, glee is our new to us pool. I've updated my signature with the information of what I know and have pictures (linked below) to prove with.
Basically I'm looking for TFP's help with understanding my pool. I want to know, from you, that I know what I should know, to know how to operate this pool.
Anyways I'll link some pictures of the basic layout of the pool, the mechanicals, and finally many of the wonderful chemicals the previous owners used (from what i have read so far, I feel like I have some work ahead of me!)
First, the location of the pool in all of its closed and covered glory


Next, the mechanical stuff (Located inside one part of the shed in the back)

Am i correct in assuming the below picture is of the drain lines (Why is one turned off the other not?)

Pentair TA60 Sand Filter (Installed April 2002)

Pump - From what I can tell (didn't look TOO hard) it is a 1HP single speed pump (again probably installed April 2002)

AND the chemicals used by previous owner.... I have a feeling I may not be needing these!


So that's where I am at currently. The pool will probably remain as is until mid-late April as up here in Northern Indiana farmland, its averaging around 48-50 degrees and from what I have read, algae doesn't like that.
First thing's first though, gotta put up fence around the pool... 3 little ones 6 and under and 1 on the way makes for a worried mother and father without it being surrounded completely from the rest of the yard!
NOW, here's a few questions for you/me to mull over:
1) Can I do anything right now to figure out where my pool is at chemistry-wise? (Haven't ordered TF100 kit yet, but its on the "soon to purchase" radar)
2) The mechanicals seem older, what should I look for before firing it up?
3) Advice? (Yes I AM reading up on Pool School!!!)
I really really really look forward to being a part of this forum and learning about my newest "baby" to take care of.... (good thing no diapers though!)
I'm sure I'll use this thread to update with things, post up thoughts and further questions. From what I have read so far, you all are very helpful and understanding of the pool virgins.
CHEERS!
P.S. I apologize if the picture size is too big (let me know if I need to resize them at all), I'm on my laptop to put up this monstrosity of a post, typically i'll probably post from the Tapatalk app.