New Pool Owner Looking for Critique/Advice on Short and Long Term Plans

[Williwood]

Hi all. I recently retired and purchased a home with an existing pool. I have never had a pool before but am getting up to speed on water testing and maintenance.

Here is where I'm at:
The pool is 4 years old and all the equipment is original
It is a salt water pool but the SWG has died (its been thoroughly cleaned but it hasn't helped)
I recently cleaned the filters. They were very dirty.
There is significant scaling at the waterline of the pool and particularly at the spa spillway (1/8" thick in spillway area)
CYA and calcium are high
The pool has never been drained

Here are the water chemistry numbers (Using Taylor 2006C Test Kit):
FC and TC - 8 ppm (I've been gradually increasing to recommended value of TFP}
pH - 7.5
TA - 65
CYA - 90
Calcium - 1225
Salt - 4500
Temp -85
CSI per Pool Math is .04

Short term plan for this swimming season
It seems like the best course of action would be to drain the pool or have RO done (due to high CYA and calcium) but I don't want to do this in the middle of pool season. It's routinely 105 degrees here in Tucson so I am using the pool almost every day. I have ordered a new SWG but they are back ordered 4 to 6 weeks and no promises even then. So, short term this season I plan to maintain it as a conventional non-salt pool. To deal with the scaling issue I am monitoring pH and TA closely and keeping them deliberately on the low end to keep the water balanced with the very high calcium hardness. The scaling has gotten better now that the water balance is improved. It was much higher when I first moved in and a pool service was maintaining the pool. I am using liquid chlorine as a sanitizer since other options will either increase CYA or calcium hardness which I do not want.

Long term plan after the end of the pool season
Have scaling removed
Either drain the pool or have RO done at the end of the season after scale removal
Install new filters and new SWG
Add required salt
Refill and rebalance the pool water

Would appreciate critique/advice if I am on the right path here.

Thanks in advance.

 

[HermanTX]

Welcome to TFP.
You have been doing a lot of reading on the forum because you hit all the critical points.
One idea is that you could do a water exchange - where you minimize the exposure of your plaster to the sun.
See Draining - Further Reading

Do you have any automation since you have VSP and SWCG? Add it to your signature if you do.

Using liquid chlorine LC until you get your SWCG will also slightly increase your SALT so monitor that.
Your current CYA for use with a SWCG is not terrible but it is high for using LC - you will need to target 10-12ppm FC to keep it algae free.
Refer to the FC/CYA Levels for non-SWCG FC levels. It is something you need to jump up to quickly as in this heat algae can take hold.

Glad you have pool math and balancing everything against that high CH to maintain a good CSI.
That partial water exchange may help if you can manage that in the near term as well. Even if you only achieve 20% exchange, it will lower CYA, Salt and CH. A lower CYA will help lower your target levels for FC.
Or do 20% one week and see the impact then do another 20% or 25% 2 weeks later. Just trying to make it easier to maintain the FC levels and at the same time reduce the impact of the high CH on your CSI.

 

[Williwood]

Thanks for the input Herman. I updated my signature to add automation as you suggested. Also added that the pool is Pebble Tec. I will "up the gain" on the chlorine level. I see your point on the water exchange. Weighing the benefits vs. the cost and effort in the short term. Close monitoring and adjusting of the pH and TA is a nuisance but not too bad since I'm retired. Thanks again and glad to hear I'm not doing anything dumb. Besides reading the Test Kit Manual I've gained a lot of knowledge from "Pool School" and checking out the Forums at the site. It's been very helpful.

 

[HermanTX]

Thanks for the input Herman. I updated my signature to add automation as you suggested. Also added that the pool is Pebble Tec. I will "up the gain" on the chlorine level. I see your point on the water exchange. Weighing the benefits vs. the cost and effort in the short term. Close monitoring and adjusting of the pH and TA is a nuisance but not too bad since I'm retired. Thanks again and glad to hear I'm not doing anything dumb. Besides reading the Test Kit Manual I've gained a lot of knowledge from "Pool School" and checking out the Forums at the site. It's been very helpful.

Excellent. I am in the same position - Retirement does have its benefits - lots of time to do things I enjoy other than the basic chores around the house. That is the great thing about the forum. You really do not need to post questions. Just read what others have issues with and learn from the responses.