On vacation for four weeks - Critique my plan, please.

[DomoFL]

We're leaving for four weeks - 7000 gal salt pool with SWG and plaster.

This is in South Florida heading into (what should be) rainy season. No cover available.

Today's readings:
Hardness is 500 (municipal water is from limestone aquifer - so we pray for rain in July to dilute since drain and refill does nothing)
Total Cl sits at 5
Free Cl is at 3
pH is 7.2
TA is 50
Stabilizer is 100

Plan before leaving:
Will clean SWG and filter.
Set pH to 7.2 and balance CYA.
Shock the day before and set SWG for 15% higher than normal output.
Algaecide added the day after shock.
Pump to run 14 hours per day.


What say you all? Come home to soup or just some minor balancing issues. I can have a neighbor add a gallon of Clorox the beginning of week 2.

 

[Newdude]

What say you all? Come home to soup or just some minor balancing issues. I can have a neighbor add a gallon of Clorox the beginning of week 2.

FaceTime him. (Etc). This is 2025 for Pete's sake.

You can walk a 2nd grader through the FC test so the neighbor will do just fine. Make your 2 week adjustment guess from there and walk them through that too. Super easy on a video call. Ideally they could stop by weekly and it would be no different than being home.

 

[Lake Placid]

Your test results are off….TC of 5, FC of 3….CC is 2. You’ve already got pea soup brewing. If those results are accurate start a slam now and let your neighbor handle it while you’re on vacation.

 

[DomoFL]

FaceTime him. (Etc). This is 2025 for Pete's sake.

You can walk a 2nd grader through the FC test so the neighbor will do just fine. Make your 2 week adjustment guess from there and walk them through that too. Super easy on a video call. Ideally they could stop by weekly and it would be no different than being home.

Understood and thanks - I'll breath much easier.

 

[DomoFL]

Your test results are off….TC of 5, FC of 3….CC is 2. You’ve already got pea soup brewing. If those results are accurate start a slam now and let your neighbor handle it while you’re on vacation.

I agree - SLAM will be in process tomorrow - will get pH straight and keep and eye on it for the next couple of days. As you may have guessed - I'm new to the forum and comments, such as yours, quickly gets me hunting for the answers in the school- thanks.

 

[Newdude]

I'm new to the forum and comments, such as yours, quickly gets me hunting for the answers in the school- thanks.

Here are the big links for easy finding.

Pool Care Basics
FC/CYA Levels
SLAM Process

And once the water passes an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test, dial the SWG to run 13 FC for your 100 CYA. You are safe to swim up to 39 FC and if you accidentally lose 4 or 5 FC at 13, you'll still have stoopod clear water. If you lose 4 or 5ppm still learning the system at 5ppm, notsomuch.

 

[Lake Placid]

You mentioned cleaning your SWG. Why do you feel you need to do so? Inspect it for calcium buildup, sure. Don’t just clean it for the sake of cleaning it. And please no acid if you find it scaled and need to clean it. Use the methods as instructed here: SWG How It Works - Further Reading.

 

[DomoFL]

You mentioned cleaning your SWG. Why do you feel you need to do so? Inspect it for calcium buildup, sure. Don’t just clean it for the sake of cleaning it. And please no acid if you find it scaled and need to clean it. Use the methods as instructed here: SWG How It Works - Further Reading.

Yes, I would only inspect and determine appropriate action at that point - simply reinstall if the plates are clean. Thanks for the caution!

 

[DomoFL]

I need to get a real test kit when I get back. I've been using strips (yes, I know).

I took over from a "pro" that had been doing my pool, until; Ca flakes were floating to the bottom, scale build up on tile and grout, pH climbing to the sky, SWG needing constant tweaks to try and make Cl and areas of green starting to happily blossom. As a novice, I've got it to a glistening clear pool, even with what are unreliable numbers. Amazing what getting some shock, setting pH, brushing the sides and vacuuming can accomplish (the pro never did).

Filter cleaned, SWG inspected and hair/debris washed out with water, will watch pH and slam - thanks to all you fine folks.

 

[Lake Placid]

Unfortunately you can’t reliably SLAM without a proper test kit. I’d recommend you order one asap. In fact a slam may not be necessary, as you may find your numbers are actually much different that what the strips indicated. How’s the water look?

 

[DomoFL]

Unfortunately you can’t reliably SLAM without a proper test kit. I’d recommend you order one asap. In fact a slam may not be necessary, as you may find your numbers are actually much different that what the strips indicated. How’s the water look?

Water is glistening and completely clear!

 

[Lake Placid]

Water is glistening and completely clear!

Swimming Pool Test Kits Compared

What pool test kit should I buy? Why shouldn't I use test strips? Our recommended test kits will pay for themselves in no time!

www.troublefreepool.com

TF-Pro Salt

tftestkits.net

You may or may not consider the SLAM option…..not that algae can’t brew in clear water (it can and does) but you need solid data to proceed. I’d urge you to get the TF-Pro Salt that I linked asap.