Newish Pool Owner in East Bay California

[jlippert]

Hello!

This is my first time owning a house with a pool - moved in last fall and finally getting the chance to dig in. Considering getting rid of my pool guy and taking over, and all the research said to come here, read up, and get a proper test kit. So I'm starting to do just that. I've already read up on the helpful articles on Pool School.

What's the best value? Become a supporter of TFP and use that credit towards at kit? Or hunt for a deal on the K2006-Salt?

Details.

~20k in-ground gunite (I think) pool (about 12 years old) with 1 month old T15 SWCG and Jandy JXI heater. Old owners were on chlorine after the first SWCG died. I bought a Dolphin Sigma pool robot and like it so far.

Pool guy failed to show up last week so I took a sample to Leslie's (I know I need a "real test kit).

FC 4.37
TC 4.69
PH 7.6
TA 68
CH 113
CYA 18
Iron 0.1
Copper 0
Phosphates 21
Salt 3100

Seems like CYA and hardness are the first things to fix?

Also, I am using a solar cover since kiddos will start swim lessons this week. Is there anything special or different I should be doing to ensure no algae blooms?

Here is an older pic of the pool.

 

[PoolStored]

Seems like CYA and hardness are the first things to fix?

The first thing to fix is your lack of a kit....I wouldn't do anything (fix CYA or CH) until you have the kit.

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

Welcome, neighbor! Nice looking pool!

We are reluctant to give advice based on pool store measurements. Naturally, we suggest you become a TFP supporter and use the discount TF Test Kits offers to get your own good kit.

 

[PoolStored]

Oh, and Welcome to TFP!!!

 

[jlippert]

Welcome, neighbor! Nice looking pool!

We are reluctant to give advice based on pool store measurements. Naturally, we suggest you become a TFP supporter and use the discount TF Test Kits offers to get your own good kit.

Thanks and hello from San Ramon!

 

[jlippert]

Looking to order a TFT100 Pro salt today. Has anyone done the math on which level of supporter bronze - gold gives the best ROI?


Text from the pool guy this AM - " The heatwave combined with a cover on the hot tub will incubate an algae bloom" and he took that cover off. On one hand I appreciate him trying to prevent a bloom, on the other hand I'm not heating the pool, and if I keep chemistry in check, I should be good right? It will be in the low 90's today.

Also, I see him still dropping tabs in those floating cholorine containers - need to ask him why he is doing so - I want to run on only the SWGC.

 

[PoolStored]

Looking to order a TFT100 Pro salt today. Has anyone done the math on which level of supporter bronze - gold gives the best ROI?

Never done the math...

Text from the pool guy this AM - " The heatwave combined with a cover on the hot tub will incubate an algae bloom" and he took that cover off. On one hand I appreciate him trying to prevent a bloom, on the other hand I'm not heating the pool, and if I keep chemistry in check, I should be good right? It will be in the low 90's today.

Will not incubate. If you have algae, may accelerate growth, but with proper chemistry, temp doesn't matter.

Also, I see him still dropping tabs in those floating cholorine containers - need to ask him why he is doing so - I want to run on only the SWGC.

Yep.

 

[jlippert]

update - TFT100 Pro salt kit arrived today, will work to test in the next day or so. Excited to geek out and then get things fixed.