HELP! Hi all, I have a plaster pool that I am tired of fighting to maintain the FC levels. This is Houston so we get 90s'/100's pretty regularly for months and my pool/hottub w/ spillover is in direct sunlight for most of the year. I use the pool calc and keep the chemicals good at FC 3-4, Ph likes to be high at 7.8 to 8 (a fight to keep low so I've settled on 7.8 as a goal), TA 80 (above that the Ph rises very quickly), CYA 40-50. My problem is the FC. I am the only one in neighborhood that fights with FC and am tired of it. Here's what I've tried.
SWG - The pool has a SWG, which was turned off when I purchased the house and has destroyed the coping around my pool (being replaced this year). It has been removed.
Chlorine tabs - I have a tab feeder. During the summer, on the maximum feeder setting it couldn't keep up with the demand and the CYA got to 70 so I had to turn that off. CYA is now back to 40 after the winter rains.
Hasa Liquidator - Was OK for the first year but a constant pain to fill with bleach. Second year all the fittings and adjustment valve failed. Replaced and they failed the 3rd year. It has been removed.
Bleach - Requires either a 6% 80oz bottle or 7.5% 105oz bottle daily. This is ridiculous as it is impossible to leave unattended.
Considerations
Ozonator (Eclipse 40 Corona Discharge) - A friend has this for a pool-only setup combined with low level chlorine from a tab dispenser and it works great, requiring almost no maintenance and very little chlorine. I saw a notice on this site suggesting Ozonator is not recommended for a pool. The only concern was that it leaves no residual chlorine. If this is paired with low level chlorine from a tab dispenser, would this be a good choice?
UV - A couple of friends have this paired with low level chlorine from a tab dispenser and also say there is little maintenance required. Bulbs would require periodic replacement.
Phosphates - A local guy who provides professional pool services typically uses phosphates, which he says reduced chemical usage significantly, thus allowing just the chlorine tabs
Skate park - Empty the Dang thing and give up (joking...kind of)
Thoughts are much appreciated?
SWG - The pool has a SWG, which was turned off when I purchased the house and has destroyed the coping around my pool (being replaced this year). It has been removed.
Chlorine tabs - I have a tab feeder. During the summer, on the maximum feeder setting it couldn't keep up with the demand and the CYA got to 70 so I had to turn that off. CYA is now back to 40 after the winter rains.
Hasa Liquidator - Was OK for the first year but a constant pain to fill with bleach. Second year all the fittings and adjustment valve failed. Replaced and they failed the 3rd year. It has been removed.
Bleach - Requires either a 6% 80oz bottle or 7.5% 105oz bottle daily. This is ridiculous as it is impossible to leave unattended.
Considerations
Ozonator (Eclipse 40 Corona Discharge) - A friend has this for a pool-only setup combined with low level chlorine from a tab dispenser and it works great, requiring almost no maintenance and very little chlorine. I saw a notice on this site suggesting Ozonator is not recommended for a pool. The only concern was that it leaves no residual chlorine. If this is paired with low level chlorine from a tab dispenser, would this be a good choice?
UV - A couple of friends have this paired with low level chlorine from a tab dispenser and also say there is little maintenance required. Bulbs would require periodic replacement.
Phosphates - A local guy who provides professional pool services typically uses phosphates, which he says reduced chemical usage significantly, thus allowing just the chlorine tabs
Skate park - Empty the Dang thing and give up (joking...kind of)
Thoughts are much appreciated?