Now that the SLAM is over

[fkeeley]

First I would thank everyone who responded to my non-stop posts helping me get through my CC issue: tim5055, richard3020(?), mknauss, kellyfair, zea33, and splashpad

So the slam seems to me officially over & I have a few questions on how to go about the maintenance phase of things.

First, I will preface with saying our pool has a finite life span of probably a few more years since the deck is reaching end of life and the pool is so old they don’t make parts for it anymore. With that being said we aren’t really going to be dumping a ton of money to rework our system or anything.

eventual goal being a smaller Inground pool

1.
So first question which is probably the most controversial is in regards to the in line chlorinator, which I am personally a fan of. However I’m now understanding the downfall of stabilized tablets. Is there a way I can have a happy medium of using tablets, and not relying on any other pool store chemicals? For example could I use a product like sustain which, I believe, is not stabilzed with CYA? I’m all for the trouble free pool method but the chlorinator is in line so I might as well use it. Plus if I’m understanding how things work correctly a daily test is required and liquid chlorine bleach is added daily to keep the FC/CYA ratio ?
My schedule sometimes doesn’t permit that kind of attention (when I work 12 hour shifts the pool is already off when I leave, and usually already off when I get home or is about to shut off - see #2, & my solar cover is on at all times when not in use with the exception of a super hot stretch)

2.
my pool is god awful cold..... like 70s pretty much all the time unless we get like a run of super hot days. We have 2 solar panels and a solar cover, which stays on pretty much all the time minus when it’s in use. Because it’s so cold we like to run the pump on a timer as not to undo the work of the solar panels in the evening. Now that the slam is over I will be putting the pump back on the timer and eventually putting a new solar cover on pool. I can’t find gallons per minute anywhere on the pump to figure out the correct amount of time I should run it during the day. Any recommendations as far as how long to run it taking the above into consideration? It’s a 1.5 hp pump for and 15,700 gallon pool.

3. Can anybody give me a rundown of what I should be doing as far as using the trouble free pool method. Obviously I’m used to the pool store method.... you know shock once a week, followed by algaecide, clarifier, pool perfect blah blah blah.

Thanks all. I will be looking forward to your feedback.

 

[Texas Splash]

Is there a way I can have a happy medium of using tablets, and not relying on any other pool store chemicals?

Yes, now that you understand the FC/CYA relationship. As long as the CYA doesn't go too high, and you keep the FC proportional with it as noted on the chart, you are fine. You just have to monitor them. I'd just stick to regular tabs though and not use ANY pool store potions. Use the tabs when you're away, then shut it off and stick to bleach on days you are home.

For the pump run time, it's trial and error. I'd start at about 6-8 hours and monitor from there. Adjust run time as necessary. Pool School - Determine Pump Run Time

Obviously I’m used to the pool store method.... you know shock once a week, followed by algaecide, clarifier, pool perfect blah blah blah.

Yep, that's history now. With TFP, it's all about regular home testing. At the very minimum, make it a point to check the FC about the same time each day. PH about every 3 days or so. TA can wait a week or so, and CH/CYA perhaps once a month. But stay on that FC to avoid another SLAM. Add nothing else to your pool except what's on the Recommended Chemcials page (link below) unless you are winterizing the pool.

 

[mickey4paws]

I highly recommend reading pool school. I'm on mobile but there should be a link at the top of the page for pool school. When I was first learning, I printed out pool school and read it a few times through. It may be confusing at first but the more you read through it the better you'll understand. And we're always here to help you with any questions.