We bought the old house with a safety covered pool 3 years ago, finally bit the bullet to have a company fully renovated it. Drained and refilled with fresh water, resurfaced the plaster, now the water circulation is on with new Jantry pump and Polaris pump. DE filter has not been checked, but seems to at least working a bit (visibly more clear water over 2 days). I've been reading the basics and waiting for my appropriate test kit to arrive. Currently have a crappy test strips and a water testing report from local pool store yesterday. A few questions I have regarding the routine water balance and chlorination after I understand the relationship between CYA/FC, Calcium Hardness etc
1. As a plaster surface inground pool, I was advised by the pool company to use granular chlorine, then I learned it contains calcium which is needed more in plaster surface. But I should not rely on using this power chlorine for routine chlorination correct? How fast would Calcium level decrease with regular use?
2. I saw quite a bit suggestion here and there on weekly shocking, but Dichor type of shock (Clorox shock for example) would add CYA over the time, and the Calcium Shock would increase Calcium hardness over the time, with both Calcium and CYA seem to be difficult to decrease (except drain and refill). What should be used for shock then? I do see some "chlorine free" shocks using oxidization of other chemicals to sanitize (intheswim has one). Using liquid chlorine is recommended in the SLAM guide, but I'm having quite a bit difficulty finding chlorine in any form here at Northern Virginia, especially tablets and liquid chlorine. I'm worried that the amount of liquid chlorine I would have to get.
3. I understand that having a solar cover would be very helpful (my pool is north facing, pretty exposed in sun light), only question is it is "roman style" with two side extruded steps (one in deep water, one in shallow water, same side). Can I just buy a rectangular shape or oval shape (not sure if the curvature of a roman style is actually the "oval shape"though) cover the most of the pool? I saw some mentioning about algae growth in fully covered pool (solar cover, not safety cover).
My plan is to watch my CYA level once capable, now it should be pretty low (pool store tested to be 5ppm, although my test strip said otherwise), I think I can use those tabs alternating with granular chlorine (pool store tested calcium hardness 150ppm, recommended level is 200-400) . Once the CYS reaches 40-50, I should switch to liquid chlorine (maybe alternating with granular chlorine, depending on the Calcium level/PH?).
I'm grateful for all the knowledge that's been shared here.
1. As a plaster surface inground pool, I was advised by the pool company to use granular chlorine, then I learned it contains calcium which is needed more in plaster surface. But I should not rely on using this power chlorine for routine chlorination correct? How fast would Calcium level decrease with regular use?
2. I saw quite a bit suggestion here and there on weekly shocking, but Dichor type of shock (Clorox shock for example) would add CYA over the time, and the Calcium Shock would increase Calcium hardness over the time, with both Calcium and CYA seem to be difficult to decrease (except drain and refill). What should be used for shock then? I do see some "chlorine free" shocks using oxidization of other chemicals to sanitize (intheswim has one). Using liquid chlorine is recommended in the SLAM guide, but I'm having quite a bit difficulty finding chlorine in any form here at Northern Virginia, especially tablets and liquid chlorine. I'm worried that the amount of liquid chlorine I would have to get.
3. I understand that having a solar cover would be very helpful (my pool is north facing, pretty exposed in sun light), only question is it is "roman style" with two side extruded steps (one in deep water, one in shallow water, same side). Can I just buy a rectangular shape or oval shape (not sure if the curvature of a roman style is actually the "oval shape"though) cover the most of the pool? I saw some mentioning about algae growth in fully covered pool (solar cover, not safety cover).
My plan is to watch my CYA level once capable, now it should be pretty low (pool store tested to be 5ppm, although my test strip said otherwise), I think I can use those tabs alternating with granular chlorine (pool store tested calcium hardness 150ppm, recommended level is 200-400) . Once the CYS reaches 40-50, I should switch to liquid chlorine (maybe alternating with granular chlorine, depending on the Calcium level/PH?).
I'm grateful for all the knowledge that's been shared here.
