Hey all,
I know many of you have helped with my initial screw ups in setting up my AGP. To recap: I had to till and level my space. That went really well so far as getting level ground. However, I did NOT bury the cement pavers to be level with my ground. So when I filled the pool, a few of the pavers cracked. I also purchased the thin 2" pavers. Not good. Overall, complete mistake as I neared the end of the process. However, oddly, my ground is super level. Even with these issues, my pool is maybe an inch off from one end to the other.
I will be draining the pool June 20 (one week from now on Monday). This will put the refill of the pool in July's bill (approx. $120 on the refill). I am hiring the same guys who tilled and leveled my ground to dig the new 4" pavers into the ground, level with the ground, itself. After, I will re-raise the pool and refill. Here are my questions:
I've been treating the pool daily (often more than once a day) as best I can given my TF Test Kit is still on its way. When I wasn't sure how long I'd keep the pool up I did not add CYA. So the pool was super thirsty for LC. After I decided I'd keep it up until the new water cycle, I decided to add CYA and it hangs on to the LC really well, despite the high/extreme UV here. Of course, I also cover the pool at all times except for 1/2 an hour before I go in. So, the water isn't exposed to a lot of direct sunlight. This is partially because I have trees in full bloom at either end of the rectangular pool and without the cover, it takes a good 10-15 minutes on getting in to the pool to clean the bottom and skim the top. Anyway... I am wondering how to balance cutting back on the LC prior to draining the pool so that I am not dumping tons of chlorine into the storm drains... but I also want to avoid any algae growth (so far the pool is SO clean and sparkling, it's wonderful). I'd like it to be that same way when I put it back up. Also, I know the CYA can build up. I added 10 oz. for a 5,000 gallon pool over three days. Is this an issue when draining the pool knowing it will go into the storm drain at the end of our street? And, if so, any suggestions on how to handle this so as not to poison all the little lives along the way that depend on whatever water those storm drains disburse? I know one person gave me advice on the LC prior to drain, previously, and I will be looking him up. But if anyone else wants to weigh in on LC and CYA, please do.
Based on all the advice I got about pavers, I contacted a somewhat local company (Freeway) and they have some compression-approved concrete cap blocks that are 16" by 10" by 4". I already purchased another block from Lowes which I would have to return (about 340 pounds worth). They are for retaining walls and are about 12" by 8" by 4". This size is better suited to the pool footprint. The larger 16" by 10" by 4" is much bigger and will take more work to dig in evenly to the ground. So, I'm debating just trying the smaller blocks. Some worried the smaller blocks won't work as well. I am also trying to get this right. So... any advice on which way you all would go?
A minor footnote question: I noticed in reading about the reagents in the testing kits that they pose a threat as a potential carcinogen. I try SO HARD to keep nasty chemicals away from my lawns because I feed birds, squirrels, possums, raccoons and some (stinky) skunks in this lawn (I know about the night critters because of my cameras). I don't want to hurt them by dumping my test water. So, what is the safe way to get rid of the tested pool water w/reagents after it's done its work?
Thanks to everyone for being so helpful!
PS - Deciding to drain and begin again, now, because I worry about what others have told me about leaving up the pool and straining the frame due to the belly of the pool touching the ground and the legs carrying the higher weight on the frame. Since we can probably use the pool 10-11 months out of the year, it makes sense to get it right now and stop worrying about it.
I know many of you have helped with my initial screw ups in setting up my AGP. To recap: I had to till and level my space. That went really well so far as getting level ground. However, I did NOT bury the cement pavers to be level with my ground. So when I filled the pool, a few of the pavers cracked. I also purchased the thin 2" pavers. Not good. Overall, complete mistake as I neared the end of the process. However, oddly, my ground is super level. Even with these issues, my pool is maybe an inch off from one end to the other.
I will be draining the pool June 20 (one week from now on Monday). This will put the refill of the pool in July's bill (approx. $120 on the refill). I am hiring the same guys who tilled and leveled my ground to dig the new 4" pavers into the ground, level with the ground, itself. After, I will re-raise the pool and refill. Here are my questions:
I've been treating the pool daily (often more than once a day) as best I can given my TF Test Kit is still on its way. When I wasn't sure how long I'd keep the pool up I did not add CYA. So the pool was super thirsty for LC. After I decided I'd keep it up until the new water cycle, I decided to add CYA and it hangs on to the LC really well, despite the high/extreme UV here. Of course, I also cover the pool at all times except for 1/2 an hour before I go in. So, the water isn't exposed to a lot of direct sunlight. This is partially because I have trees in full bloom at either end of the rectangular pool and without the cover, it takes a good 10-15 minutes on getting in to the pool to clean the bottom and skim the top. Anyway... I am wondering how to balance cutting back on the LC prior to draining the pool so that I am not dumping tons of chlorine into the storm drains... but I also want to avoid any algae growth (so far the pool is SO clean and sparkling, it's wonderful). I'd like it to be that same way when I put it back up. Also, I know the CYA can build up. I added 10 oz. for a 5,000 gallon pool over three days. Is this an issue when draining the pool knowing it will go into the storm drain at the end of our street? And, if so, any suggestions on how to handle this so as not to poison all the little lives along the way that depend on whatever water those storm drains disburse? I know one person gave me advice on the LC prior to drain, previously, and I will be looking him up. But if anyone else wants to weigh in on LC and CYA, please do.
Based on all the advice I got about pavers, I contacted a somewhat local company (Freeway) and they have some compression-approved concrete cap blocks that are 16" by 10" by 4". I already purchased another block from Lowes which I would have to return (about 340 pounds worth). They are for retaining walls and are about 12" by 8" by 4". This size is better suited to the pool footprint. The larger 16" by 10" by 4" is much bigger and will take more work to dig in evenly to the ground. So, I'm debating just trying the smaller blocks. Some worried the smaller blocks won't work as well. I am also trying to get this right. So... any advice on which way you all would go?
A minor footnote question: I noticed in reading about the reagents in the testing kits that they pose a threat as a potential carcinogen. I try SO HARD to keep nasty chemicals away from my lawns because I feed birds, squirrels, possums, raccoons and some (stinky) skunks in this lawn (I know about the night critters because of my cameras). I don't want to hurt them by dumping my test water. So, what is the safe way to get rid of the tested pool water w/reagents after it's done its work?
Thanks to everyone for being so helpful!
PS - Deciding to drain and begin again, now, because I worry about what others have told me about leaving up the pool and straining the frame due to the belly of the pool touching the ground and the legs carrying the higher weight on the frame. Since we can probably use the pool 10-11 months out of the year, it makes sense to get it right now and stop worrying about it.
