Opening my pool and want to do it real nice this time

[monsterman]

This process should be started about one week prior to closing your pool. During the summer, swimming pools traditionally have a pH balance between 7.2 and 7.6. During the winter, it's recommended that the pH be raised to 7.8.Oct

Again from google search. See what is said about a week before??? Should i do the acid sooner and the chlorine the night before only?? Uy!! So many questions?

 

[Newdude]

Do i really need the addition of muriatic acid??

I would reset it to mid 7 with a solid cover. With a permeable cover I let it stay high because several feet of Ph 5 rain will lower it over time.

Both MA and Chlorine can be done the night before. Maybe dose a bit over to account for any loss before the guy shows up.

 

[monsterman]

Lastly. I do have a brand new small bucket of dry acid I purchased at beginning of season before i began with u guys. Can i use that just this once and if i do how do i do it. Just sprinkle it in or mix it with water first?? Please advise. I would only use the dry acid this one time to lower my ph. Do u think 7.8 is the number to shoot for or lower( that article says 7.8 for the winter??)

 

[monsterman]

I just saw Newdudes answer. You make my life do simple. U r very concise and right to the point and u cover all my thoughts. Thank u so much. I appreciate everyone here. I really do. So now i know what and how much to add and when and why. Just please let ne know what u think of the dry acid as substitute and how to apply it. And lastly where would i find the MA and would they have the 29% or the half strength??

 

[monsterman]

Walmart does not have it and the ones they do r $$$$$. Ace has this one but advise me on the strength and chemical it really is?

 

[monsterman]

Or can i just use what i have now the dry acid this time and how to apply the powder??

 

[Newdude]

Use the stuff from Ace. It's full strength / 31%.

 

[kellyfair]

Buy MA, then compute how much you need to add based on what strength you have on hand. You can add in stages - for example, if you need 30 ounces total, add 15, let circulate for 20-30 minutes, test, then add remainder (tweak remainder if your test gives you a different result than you are expecting).

If your PH is already high now, better to deal with it now than let it go for several months.

MA doesn’t go bad, so you will be able to use it next year if you buy now.

 

[RLP]

I buy my MA from the pool store. Its just easier, no wandering through the aisles, or parking a mile away from the home center.

Make sure you store the bottle outside. It will corrode whatever is near it if you keep it inside.

 

[monsterman]

Another problem. Walmart is out of the bleach i buy(10%). I hope it will be back next season. Thank goodness i have 10 bottles. But i want to send u pics of a bleach they do carry now. It is only 7.5%. But nowhere on the bottle does it say to use in pool?? Please let me know if i could use this bleach anyway?

 

[monsterman]

Last pic of that other bleach

 

[Newdude]

Great value bleach is often good. Double check the front label (always) for no scents, splash less, or 'technologies'.

10 gals is plenty for now. Don't buy next year's, it'll be salt water by then. The good stuff will be back when it warms up again. Remember to check the dates in the spring as they often have some of last year's bottles back on the shelf.

In an absolute pinch, head to the cleaning aisle and buy 'disinfectant bleach'. It often has no additives, check both the front and back as always. It's 6% and not ideal, but it'll work.

 

[monsterman]

Clorox. Is 8.25% for about 1 gallon but it costs about $11. Compared to the $5 and change for the 10% liquid from walmart. I am going to order 12 bottles when it is back in stock?

 

[monsterman]

Great value bleach is often good. Double check the front label (always) for no scents, splash less, or 'technologies'.

10 gals is plenty for now. Don't buy next year's, it'll be salt water by then. The good stuff will be back when it warms up again. Remember to check the dates in the spring as they often have some of last year's bottles back on the shelf.

In an absolute pinch, head to the cleaning aisle and buy 'disinfectant bleach'. It often has no additives, check both the front and back as always. It's 6% and not ideal, but it'll work.

I will probably only use another gallon or 2 between now and my closing. So will my balance of 8 bottles or so be ok by next season? They are in my garage

 

[Newdude]

I will probably only use another gallon or 2 between now and my closing.

Good. Don't buy anymore.

So will my balance of 8 bottles or so be ok by next season?

They'll be weaker but you have nothing to lose by adding them at the time because they're paid for.

I go buck wild with my leftovers cleaning furniture, the PVC fence and the vinyl siding.

 

[monsterman]

Good. Don't buy anymore.

They'll be weaker but you have nothing to lose by adding them at the time because they're paid for.

I go buck wild with my leftovers cleaning furniture, the PVC fence and the vinyl siding.

Ha ha

 

[monsterman]

Hello People I might close my pool either this Saturday OR Next-- Right now all chemicals are good- but my pH is still around 8.2- so I will be purchasing the MA to lower it as I get closer to closing . But I have been reading about Polyquat 60 on TFP and I am going to post some answers here if you would please read below:- they are from 3 different supporters-so my question is- if my chemicals are good by closing and i bring the pool to full SLAM- do I need to add the Polyquat 60- I am hoping not?
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It’s been my experience that adding polyquat does lower FC a bit. When closing (October), I add polyquat and let it circulate for a day. I then bring FC back up to SLAM level then close it up and cover (solid tarp over mesh safety cover).
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Yes, your FC dropped because of the Polyquat 60. I used it one year and wouldn’t do it again.
Polyquat isn’t necessary at all if all chemicals are balanced, pool is clean, water temperatures consistently below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and FC is at SLAM-level before throwing the cover on. PQ60 eats up a lot of FC which sounds counterproductive to me — especially considering you’re instructed to close at half-SLAM if using it instead of full SLAM without it (make it make sense?! ). Closing late (even when no one can swim) and opening as early as possible are the biggest keys to opening up to crystal clear water in the spring!
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This is basically what I do;

Bring FC up to SLAM.
Wait a few days for FC to drop a bit.
Add polyquat and let circulate a day.
Bring FC back up to SLAM and close/cover it up.

I close in October and open in early May. Sometimes there is still some FC at opening, sometimes not. I cover the mesh safety cover with a solid tarp (this makes a big difference in my experience). Never any algae at opening.

I must admit I’ve not tried forgoing adding polyquat at closing since what I do has resulted in an easy opening year after year (been doing this many years)
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[Newdude]

So the deal with polyquat is it consumes chlorine and vice versa. In the end you're left with less of each. The polyquat is the longer lasting of the two, hopefully enough to get you to the cool water point. That's why we rec closing at half SLAM with PQ instead of full SLAM with no PQ.

If closing super early PQ is likely the best bet. If it's mildly cool and you only need a couple weeks until it's fully cool, then full SLAM is likely enough. It's cooling down now and delaying the closing was a smart call. I believe you can go either way now and be fine.

 

[monsterman]

So the deal with polyquat is it consumes chlorine and vice versa. In the end you're left with less of each. The polyquat is the longer lasting of the two, hopefully enough to get you to the cool water point. That's why we rec closing at half SLAM with PQ instead of full SLAM with no PQ.

If closing super early PQ is likely the best bet. If it's mildly cool and you only need a couple weeks until it's fully cool, then full SLAM is likely enough. It's cooling down now and delaying the closing was a smart call. I believe you can go either way now and be fine.

Thank you- it is cooling down- forecast for next few days is only in mid 70's and then possibly lower next week. So I am hoping if I wait till September 23-- I will be fine with just full slam.
But on the other hand- just to cover all bases- how much (as close as you could suggest)-would i need to add of PQ with an 11,000 galloon pool if i bring the pool to Half Slam- and can these two products be added the same night before closing? Thank you again- so very helpful

 

[Newdude]

But on the other hand- just to cover all bases- how much (as close as you could suggest)-would i need to add of PQ with an 11,000 galloon pool

6 to 11 ounces per the bottle of ProTeam brand. Whatever brand you buy will have directions on it, so double check.

if i bring the pool to Half Slam- and can these two products be added the same night before closing

Yup, with the standard 15 to 20 minute circulation rule in between chemical adds.