Northlake, TX New Pool Build

[ctrav]

Sounds like very good advice Suz. I'm sure others will be along soon.

My target level is 250-350 according to PoolMath App...

Good morning, Cliff! I woke up this morning wondering how things were going.

I'm not crazy about the CSI, but let's see what others say. Maybe it is time to start going up on the CH, but again, let's ask those who have more experience.

You can get CH increaser from a pool store in all different bucket sizes. Check your PM's, you should have the Amazon link for CH increaser. You can get it at Home Depot, but I'm not sure what sizes they have available. I have a picture of the 5lb size on my phone. I'll text that to you. That size will be more expensive since you need more.

BTW: For the 311 oz, what was your target for the CH? When I first added CH increaser, I had to add 444oz of increaser! (I'm even shocked by THAT).

Let's see what the experts say, but it seems to me it would be better to break down a large amount into stages. They can tell us if it's a good idea and how long to take to build up to a new target. That will also make sure you don't overshoot your target. I don't think you would. From your testing, does it seem like the # of gallons you're plugging into PoolMath are working for the results you are getting? I haven't heard anything from you about that, so I'm assuming that's your gallon # is working.

How are the girls and the skin issue?

Suz

 

[pooldv]

CSI at -0.66 isn't that bad and it will rise as your pH rises.

It is certainly fine to raise CH to 250 now, has your CH gone up at all since starting? Your CSI will also drop more when you add salt. Use calcium chloride deicer, you should be able to order it on Lowe's for free store pick up. 50 lbs for less than 20 bucks. Just broadcast it across the pool surface and brush for a minute. It dissolves almost instantly and will heat the water up a bit.

More here about that, Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals

 

[ctrav]

Thanks...my CH has been constant at 175 with an occasional bump to 200. So calcium chloride deicer vs calcium hardness increaser...correct?? This is also the first time I have lower my pH to 7.2. pH is normally 7.5 to 7.8 if that makes a difference...

CSI at -0.66 isn't that bad and it will rise as your pH rises.

It is certainly fine to raise CH to 250 now, has your CH gone up at all since starting? Your CSI will also drop more when you add salt. Use calcium chloride deicer, you should be able to order it on Lowe's for free store pick up. 50 lbs for less than 20 bucks. Just broadcast it across the pool surface and brush for a minute. It dissolves almost instantly and will heat the water up a bit.

More here about that, Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals

 

[pooldv]

It is the same thing except that it costs 46 bucks for 25 lbs at Leslie's vs 20 bucks for 50 lbs at Lowe's. The link discusses the various chemical names.

Higher pH will raise your CSI.

 

[SuzfromTexas]

Great info, pooldv, thanks! At the very least you got a two-fer for helping others. Cliff and me - and probably still counting....

 

[ctrav]

got it...thanks again I love saving money

 

[jimim]

How is it going over there? Brushing is awesome isn't it? Lol

today was my first day with full chemicals in. I goofed on the ch. I spent a butt load on it cause I bought Clorox cause I didn't know.

My ph is still climbing quickly. I added acid at about 9 or 10 today and just had to add another 8 to put me back in range.

 

[ctrav]

Ha ha my brush brotha...things are great here as far as pool goes. My irrigation guy just finished all the piping for the new sprinkler system and did a rough grade to cover the lines. There is a team of folks coming tomorrow to do a full grade of the yard to prep for the first of two sod deliveries on Monday. There have been a few glitches along the way but hey thats construction. We are all so sick of the dust and dirt that we don't get in the pool near as much as I would like. Oh well by the end of the week things should be completed and I will update pics.

Those Mickey Mouse designs in your pool are one heck of a personal touch and my girls love it!

 

[ctrav]

Good morning...current numbers:
FC 7.0
pH 7.8
TA 70
CH 175
CYA 40
CSI -0.10
TEMP 86

 

[SuzfromTexas]

Those #s are looking good. Do you have any plans to move up the CH?

Two sod deliveries tomorrow?? No more dirt?? Awesome!!

When does the prep team come today? Make sure you point out that pool to them! You don't need dirt mounds pushed into your beautiful pool. Lol!! (still smh that the irrigation guys could not have missed seeing the pool, yet weren't careful for pool pipes!!!)

 

[jimim]

Ha ha my brush brotha...things are great here as far as pool goes. My irrigation guy just finished all the piping for the new sprinkler system and did a rough grade to cover the lines. There is a team of folks coming tomorrow to do a full grade of the yard to prep for the first of two sod deliveries on Monday. There have been a few glitches along the way but hey thats construction. We are all so sick of the dust and dirt that we don't get in the pool near as much as I would like. Oh well by the end of the week things should be completed and I will update pics.

Those Mickey Mouse designs in your pool are one heck of a personal touch and my girls love it!

brush today!? just checking? twice a day! twice a day!

the dust stinks! and i don't have full decking yet. all i have is a concrete pour which kicks up dust still. hopefully pavers will get started this week.

thanks re: the mickey heads. ya we are crazy disney folk here. love disney. i'm going through withdrawal right now cause we didn't go this year cause of the pool. lol

what is sod mostly down there in Texas? still mostly bluegrass or is there other seeds in there or a diff type?



jim

 

[ctrav]

Hi Suz I have been running around all morning getting parts and drain extensions. Picked up 12 jugs of bleach (so much fun) and I was inspired by jimim to go ahead and get some CH increaser. I tried Lowes and HD but they didn't have what pooldv suggested to save some cash so I ended up at Leslies (did you just see my eyes roll). Young man greats me and I ask for Calcium Chloride and I get a blank stare...so I say CC hardness increaser and the light bulb came on. It cost me $35 for 15 pound bucket but they game me a veterans discount of....wait for it...$1.15! SCORE!! I added the CH increaser but only half the bucket for now and I will test numbers tonight. I didn't want to over do it! Oh and I brushed the pool twice after adding CH.

While I was there getting the CC I got into a conversation with a guy buying a bunch of chem's so I ask what type pool he had and so on and so on...long story short he wrote down the info on TFP, took my number and left the store When I was at Wally World aka Walmart there was another gent there getting a lot of bleach as well so we look at each other and say must be a pool (ROFL) so I ask if he had heard of TFP and he said yes and that he started using the TFP principles about 18 months ago and his pool has never been better. Maybe I will get my TFP Junior Ambassador award...

Back to my yard...prep team showed up about 7:15 and finished about noon. The irrigation guy is out there adjusting heads now and sod should be here some time this week just not sure of day just yet. Time for a nap...

Those #s are looking good. Do you have any plans to move up the CH?

Two sod deliveries tomorrow?? No more dirt?? Awesome!!

When does the prep team come today? Make sure you point out that pool to them! You don't need dirt mounds pushed into your beautiful pool. Lol!! (still smh that the irrigation guys could not have missed seeing the pool, yet weren't careful for pool pipes!!!)

 

[ctrav]

Yes I brushed today Jim in fact twice already. I followed your lead and added some CH to my pool

I can't wait to take my grandkids on a Disney cruise, Disney Land and Disney World but need to wait just a bit since they are only 2 1/2 and 3 1/2

A big crew came this morning to grade and prep my yard for the sod delivery some time this week. Irrigation guy is out there adjusting spray heads now. The sod will be what they call 419 tiff grass which is what you see on golf course fairways...

 

[kimkats]

Cliff!!!! You showed someone the light AND met someone who knew about and used TFP??? and got that discount lol You are on a roll !

Kim

 

[ctrav]

So my yard is gone...

moved some big rocks, framed some mowing trouble areas with leftover stone and framed the septic tank area





- - - Updated - - -

Yep Kim and I actually did some work on the yard myself and I sealed the kitchen tile for the wife so everyone is happy happy happy...Im pooped!!

 

[pooldv]

It sure is nice of y'all to donate so much money to Leslie's pools, I'm sure they appreciate it.

You definitely have to order the deicer online in these parts, especially during summer. 20 bucks for 50 pounds. Shop 50-lb Bag of Calcium Chloride Pellets at Lowes.com

 

[ctrav]

You are correct pooldv but I got tired of waiting and PB gave me the ok. Trust me I took what you said into account and I looked for it at 3 places...it won't be very often I go against your welcomed wisdom!

 

[kimkats]

Nice job!!! I like the big rocks around the pool. Good work on framing the trouble areas. That will pay off in the long run!

AND you sealed the tile for your wife on top of all that???? Give that man a steak and adult drink!!

Kim

 

[SuzfromTexas]

Oh man! You thought the sod was coming on Monday! Oh well. I don't know anything about caring for that kind of grass. I'm glad you aren't going Bermuda. That used to be the grass for north Texas. Maybe it isn't any longer which I would consider a very good thing! I'm not allergic to a lot, but I'm very allergic to Bermuda. My eyes swell shut which was a good thing when I was in grade school through high school - it meant I didn't have to mow the lawn!!! Then I moved to Houston with all the St. Augustine - no more allergies, so I mowed.....

I like how you framed up the different areas. What will you put around the big rocks are on the black area? Do you use a riding lawnmower? How do you you take care of the tif grass?

You are definitely a great ambassador for TFP. I'm batting 0.

 

[ctrav]

Your batting 1000 in my book...yes I have a riding mower and as far as what goes in the rock area...well...thats a surprise Tif grass is normal grass and nothing special, another form of Bermuda...sorry.

Oh man! You thought the sod was coming on Monday! Oh well. I don't know anything about caring for that kind of grass. I'm glad you aren't going Bermuda. That used to be the grass for north Texas. Maybe it isn't any longer which I would consider a very good thing! I'm not allergic to a lot, but I'm very allergic to Bermuda. My eyes swell shut which was a good thing when I was in grade school through high school - it meant I didn't have to mow the lawn!!! Then I moved to Houston with all the St. Augustine - no more allergies, so I mowed.....

I like how you framed up the different areas. What will you put around the big rocks are on the black area? Do you use a riding lawnmower? How do you you take care of the tif grass?

You are definitely a great ambassador for TFP. I'm batting 0.