New Pool Owner, Any Advice will be Appreciated

[NewPoolLI]

Hi all,

First time pool owner here. I need some advice to see if I doing the maintenance correctly.

About 25000 Gallon Vinyl Pool, Hayward Sand Filter, 1 level pool pump, Heat Pump, Polaris - VRXIQ+ cleaner, K-2006C test kit. I believe the pool was installed back in 2006

Location: Long Island, NY.
Pool filter runs 12 hours a day

My current reading
Alkalinity: 70
PH: 7.5
Calcium: 140
CYA: 50
Free Chlorine: 8

My weekly maintenance procedure: Dump the robot in the pool and let it run for 2 hours. While the robot is running, I will clean out the skimmer basket, brush the sides, and use the net to catch anything flooding the surface. I will do a backwash if the pressure goes up.
After cleaning, I will test for Alkalinity, PH, Calcium, CYA, and Free Chlorine.

I will add Alkalinity, PH, CYA about every 2 weeks.
I will add a bottle of super shock every 3-4 days. (I estimated a bottle of shock will raise about 4 of Free Chlorine)

I don’t add any other chemicals to the pool.

Pool water looks as clean as when the pool guy who first opened the pool for me.

I am following this recommended level What Are My Ideal Pool Levels? and Chlorine / CYA Chart

My questions are

• Is my procedure correct? Is there anything I should and shouldn’t do?
• Currently I am using MEGA Pool & SPA Chemicals Super Shock, is this good? I am still bit confused between shock and liquid chlorine, my local pool store tells me shock and liquid chlorine are the same.
• My local pool store told me to disregard Calcium because I have heat pump, not sure if this is true.
• I have 2inch 75ft backwash hose, I need to add another 2-3ft to reach to the street. Any way to extend the backwash hose. I think the backwash waters are killing my lawn grass.
• I have some yellow stain on some edges of the pool. Is it possible to remove them? Maintenance guy told me because the previous owner hasn’t opened the pool for few years, which caused the stain.
• I did a bad job sanding my patio, sands keep on getting into the pool. I don't want to redo the patio at the moment, anyway to keep the sand from getting to the pool or just picking sands from walking?

Your answers and replies are greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[ajw22]

I will add Alkalinity, PH, CYA about every 2 weeks.

Welcome to TFP.

Overall it sounds like you are doing fine.

You should almost never need to add alkalinity. TA down to 50 is fine.

Don't chase your TA or pH. Any pH int he 7's is good and TA down to 50 is fine. You should not need to adjust either mush once they find their natural equilibrium.

CYA also should not need stabilizer every 2 weeks unless you are losing water from backwashing or leaks.

I will add a bottle of super shock every 3-4 days. (I estimated a bottle of shock will raise about 4 of Free Chlorine)

I hope that is 100% liquid chlorine.

You don't say what you find your FC level is before adding liquid chlorine. Don't ever let yoru FC fall before the minimum for your CYA. Which for 50 is 4.

You may need to add liquid chlorine every other day to keep your FC above the minimum.

Currently I am using MEGA Pool & SPA Chemicals Super Shock, is this good? I am still bit confused between shock and liquid chlorine, my local pool store tells me shock and liquid chlorine are the same.

They probably are. Post pics of the labels on the bottle.

Liquid Chlorine - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

My local pool store told me to disregard Calcium because I have heat pump, not sure if this is true.

Vinyl pool and no SWG that is true. Your CH of 140 is fine.

I have some yellow stain on some edges of the pool. Is it possible to remove them? Maintenance guy told me because the previous owner hasn’t opened the pool for few years, which caused the stain.

See if any of these processes help identify the stain....

Stains in Your Pool

The stained pool is beyond embarrassing. Our in-depth Guide to remove stains in your pool will help you to remove the stains and prevent them in the future.

www.troublefreepool.com

I did a bad job sanding my patio, sands keep on getting into the pool. I don't want to redo the patio at the moment, anyway to keep the sand from getting to the pool or just picking sands from walking?

Put a footwash basin to rinse feet before stepping into the pool near the steps.

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[NewPoolLI]

Hi ajw22, thank you so much for all the tips. I will try out the methods on the stain.

Here is an image of the shock I am using. BTW is there any alternative method to not adding liquid chlorine every other day? I am quit busy, looking for ways to spend the least amount of time keeping the pool clean.

Thanks

 

[Lake Placid]

• I have 2inch 75ft backwash hose, I need to add another 2-3ft to reach to the street. Any way to extend the backwash hose. I think the backwash waters are killing my lawn grass

A short length of pvc (either 1.5 inch or 2 whatever fits inside the soft hose) with 2 stainless steel hose clamps will allow you to add more soft hose on the end to whatever length you need.

Hi ajw22, thank you so much for all the tips. I will try out the methods on the stain.

Here is an image of the shock I am using. BTW is there any alternative method to not adding liquid chlorine every other day? I am quit busy, looking for ways to spend the least amount of time keeping the pool clean.

Thanks

A Salt Water Generator conversion would let you move away from LC and daily dosing Chlorine.

 

[ajw22]

Here is an image of the shock I am using.

That is just 12.5% liquid chlorine and water with some salt added...

BTW is there any alternative method to not adding liquid chlorine every other day? I am quit busy, looking for ways to spend the least amount of time keeping the pool clean.

That is why many of us use a SWG.

Salt Water Chlorine Generators

Salt Water Generators are designed to produce small amounts of chlorine continuously. This is perfect for day to day use and reduces work for the homeowner.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[NewPoolLI]

That is just 12.5% liquid chlorine and water with some salt added...

Do you recommend any brand for 100% liquid chlorine? will I be able to find it at leslie's pool store ?

That is why many of us use a SWG.

Salt Water Chlorine Generators

Salt Water Generators are designed to produce small amounts of chlorine continuously. This is perfect for day to day use and reduces work for the homeowner.

www.troublefreepool.com

Is it possible to install a SWG by myself or I have to hire a contractor? Do you have any recommendation on SWG system?





Thanks

 

[NewPoolLI]

A short length of pvc (either 1.5 inch or 2 whatever fits inside the soft hose) with 2 stainless steel hose clamps will allow you to add more soft hose on the end to whatever length you need.

Thank you for the advice.

 

[ajw22]

Do you recommend any brand for 100% liquid chlorine? will I be able to find it at leslie's pool store ?

All liquid chlorine is the same except the % strength varies. Brand is irrelevant.

I never set foot in a Leslies to know.

Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Lowes, all sells Pool Chlorinating Liquid. But check the date codes and where it is stored as you want fresh stuff that has not degraded.

Is it possible to install a SWG by myself or I have to hire a contractor?

If you can do simple PVC gutting and gluing and simple electrical wiring you can install a SWG.

Do you have any recommendation on SWG system?

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