still learning about what I just bought. what is this thing?

[lordmundi]

So, when the inspector came through, he labeled this as an "auto-chlorinator", which I thought may have been a SWG. But I got my first look at it today, and I don't think that is what it is... it is a Pentair Model 320 Automatic In-Line Chlorine/Bromine Feeder.




My question is... what do I do with this? Do I refill it occasionally will tablets? And what does it mean for me as I take over maintenance of this pool?

I'm thinking I may pay for a month for the existing pool service to just watch and see how things go and try to learn more about what I'll need to do, but I thought I would try and get some information here about this piece of equipment and how I should go about using it.

Thanks for all of the resources. I've been reading through the Pool School articles every night!

 

[zea3]

Yes it holds chlorine tablets. I would not load it up with tablets until I had a current set of test results. Our members generally use liquid chlorine. You can use the chlorinator when you go on vacation.

 

[DeanP66]

Save your money on the one month of service. You'll learn more here on this site. Plus, if you watch what they do, you'll end up making the same mistakes. Pool companies use tablets pretty much everywhere, unless you have a salt water generator.

That chlorinator is for chorine tablets (pucks) which is not a recommended form of chlorination at TFP. The reason is that those tablets contain not only chlorine, but also cyanuric acid (CYA). The chlorine eventually gets burned up from the sun and pool use, but the CYA stays in the pool and builds and builds and builds. Anytime you hear someone say that they were told to drain their pool, excess CYA is the #1 culprit. It gets so high with the constant tablet use that it renders the chlorine ineffective at the same level that it worked just fine previously. Next thing you know, the water starts to get cloudy and then turns green with algae.

We recommend liquid chlorine because it's the only chlorine outside of cal hypo (bags of shock) that does not contain any CYA in it. We encourage you to get your CYA level to where you want it and then don't put anything in the water that will raise it. Liquid chlorine accomplishes this perfectly.

The key to trouble free pool care is to master the relationship between FC and CYA. They go hand in hand. We have a chart on this site that shows you all the different levels. Get to know that really well. By using liquid chlorine, you can concentrate on just the FC side of the equation because you won't be trying to hit a moving target (CYA) like you would if you were using tablets. You'll basically just be topping up your chlorine daily or every two days to replace what you've lost. It's really that simple. Once you get your pool chemistry dialed in, all you will be using is liquid chlorine and some muriatic acid to lower the pH when it climbs. That's it!!!

Feel free to ask any questions you want. This site is loaded with very knowledgeable people that have mastered the TFP way of pool care and they love to pay if forward to new members with quality advice. And don't be afraid to post pictures. We love pics. Especially the equipment pad. It really helps us tailor our advice to the situation better.

 

[lordmundi]

thanks so much for those posts and the detailed writeup. So what should i do when i move in... go ahead and remove any tablets in there? I'm not really sure if it requires me to do something to use it or if it is always being used if there are tablets in there.

anyhow, it sounds like I'll need to invest in some bottles of bleach to keep on hand and add regularly. In all of the articles I've read, not many of them talk about how _much_ chlorine to add. I don't really know what the water capacity of my pool is, which I'm sure is a factor along with the current readings, but assuming I have a test result and have some estimate of my pool capacity (not sure how to get that), how much chlorine do I add? and where do I add it? Just somewhere in front of one of the intakes?

Thanks folks. And here are a few pictures of the pool and the equipment:

 

[RonsPlc]

First let me welcome you to the BEST place to learn about pool maintenance on the net!
Second, congratulations on the purchase of a beautiful pool, (that also comes with a house)!
Last, Let me give you some links to some reading material. In my signature, you will find links to both "Pool School", and another one for the test kits we use.
Start with the Pool School one.
Again, WELCOME!!

 

[lordmundi]

First let me welcome you to the BEST place to learn about pool maintenance on the net!
Second, congratulations on the purchase of a beautiful pool, (that also comes with a house)!
Last, Let me give you some links to some reading material. In my signature, you will find links to both "Pool School", and another one for the test kits we use.
Start with the Pool School one.
Again, WELCOME!!

yep... i've read a ton of articles in pool school already. i try to read a few more each night. thanks for the welcome!

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

I don't really know what the water capacity of my pool is

Click the link at the bottom of the page for Old PoolMath Webpage. Scroll down to "Estimating Pool Volume." Select oval shape and estimate the average length, width and depth for pool volume. It's not an exact science, but you'll be close enough to get started. If you find the previous owners' contract, you'll likely find the pool volume there.

Best of luck with the new pool.

 

[HermanTX]

Thanks for all of the resources. I've been reading through the Pool School articles every night!

Welcome fellow Texan. What part of Texas are you living? There are lots of members from all over Texas so lots of local area help.
Did the pool builder go through a pool school with you to show you how to set the automation or what all the pipes and valves do? If not, you can take better pictures and we can help. It is really important to know what goes to what so if you have a problem in the future it is easier to troubleshoot. I have a binder with a layout of my plumbing so if I am away, I can talk through a family member to help on an issue. Seems like issues always pop up when I am not there.

Also, it would be good to write down all of your equipment model numbers and serial numbers while they are still visible (before the sun and rain affects the labels).
Also, Create Your Signature to help us understand what your current setup is and it is easier to have others help you. Based on the picture you have a Hayward DE filter, a Polaris pressure side cleaner, possibly a Pentair natural gas heater, and what looks like 2 Pentair WhisperFlo single speed pumps. You can get more specifics with the model numbers of each.

To help you size your pool you can read the following. I have a freeform pool and took the max and min measurements on width and length to give me the area then did some averaging of the depths to get the volume. You will need to do a separate calculation for the spa. I just use the volume of 2 circles - one with the diameter and depth of the center of the spa and the other which is more of a donut that uses the depth of the seat. Come back if you need more help.
Calculators - Further Reading | Trouble Free Pool

This is a good link to keep for future needs.
Pool Care Basics Archives - Trouble Free Pool | Trouble Free Pool

 

[lordmundi]

Thanks Herman... so we just purchased the home and we haven't moved in yet, so definitely wasn't around when the pool builder made it! But once I move in, I can take measurements and actually jump in and figure out how deep it is (I really have no idea). And once I know some actual details I will definitely get my signature updated!

Great thinking on the model numbers... i will take close-up pictures on my phone as soon as I can.

 

[lordmundi]

Just bought a home with my first pool and I noticed this in the ground near the spa and pool

 

[Berger82]

Just bought a home with my first pool and I noticed this in the ground near the spa and pool

View attachment 334637

umbrella holder

 

[lordmundi]

oh cool! so, question... we have something similar on another area of the pool (pictured below) but this one is below the water and on some stones in the pool (and not pavers). I'm guessing this is another umbrella holder? (ignore the orange box - that is a note from the inspector)

I have some trepidation about putting an umbrella that catches wind in there. Is there a risk they will wobble and make those stones inside the pool loose and break up the mortar?

Thanks!

 

[Siddious33]

oh cool! so, question... we have something similar on another area of the pool (pictured below) but this one is below the water and on some stones in the pool (and not pavers)View attachment 334751. I'm guessing this is another umbrella holder? (ignore the orange box - that is a note from the inspector)

I have some trepidation about putting an umbrella that catches wind in there. Is there a risk they will wobble and make those stones inside the pool loose and break up the mortar?

Thanks!

Yeah, umbrella holder. If it's installed correctly you'll be fine. It's embedded in concrete under there. Just don't use an umbrella with a wooden pole as it will swell and can get stuck. Try to find one with an aluminum pole. We have these on our bench and our tanning ledge and they're easy to just take out and put them away if a bad storm is coming in.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

I have one on my beer drinking ledge, but wish I had more installed in other areas of the pool.

Anyways, the sleeves are about 8" deep in gunite. There should be no risk of them moving around.

 

[lordmundi]

So, if you are in south Texas or Louisiana you will know we are getting an incredible amount of rain and flooding right now.

I just bought a house yesterday and have my first pool now. And I'm watching the water level rise up.

So what do I do? I've got a multiport valve thingy. Do I just turn the valve to waste and then manually turn the pump on? Is that the right way to drain some water out?

Here's a couple of pictures of my equipment

 

[lordmundi]

Ok, so a other question. I went by the house and tried the umbrella in here. It's a pretty standard pole size, but inside of this holder, thee was a bit of free play letting the umbrella lean a bit to one side. Is there some way to either adjust the fit or buy something to wedge it in tighter? I see some umbrella wedges for sale, but it looks like those are mostly used for people putting umbrella poles through tables.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Try these -

Patio Umbrella Cone (Brown) Fits 1.5" Umbrella. Weather Resistant Polyurethane. The Original Made in the USA. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XTCE2CI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_D5XvaBwvpLWdP

 

[Teald024]

we are getting an incredible amount of rain and flooding right now...... And I'm watching the water level rise up.

So what do I do? I've got a multiport valve thingy. Do I just turn the valve to waste and then manually turn the pump on? Is that the right way to drain some water out?

Here's a couple of pictures of my equipment

Congrats on the new pool!
turn the pump off, turn the multiport valve (MPV) to waste, then turn the pump back on. This will pump water out of the pool. Keep an eye on it because you don't want to run the pump dry by letting the water get below the skimmer. Try to keep the water level mid way up the skimmer.

 

[lordmundi]

Just bought a house with a new pool. Picture of my equipment is attached. What is the thing in the back that looks like it is wearing a black beanie cap?

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

It's a spa blower. It forces air down the vent tube to create more bubbles than the jets alone. Kinda sounds like a big hair dryer.