Taking charge of my pool

[ISinktro85]

Hi folks! My pool is starting its 3rd year of use. I had help from a friend who opened my pool, set it up for the season and the pump and filter are moving the water. The skimmer is not attached and I don't know why not. My history for the season: Here is what has been done in the past 3 weeks WITHOUT USING THE TAYLOR TEST KIT 1. shocked the pool twice while adding appropriate chemicals for Cl and Ph. 2. vacuuming and brushing regularly***. 3. Scooping out tree needles, leaves, slimy floaties etc..

We have cloudy, green (less green) water and slimy floaties.
Yesterday: Chlorine: 1.0 and Ph 7.5.
My Taylor 100 arrived and I measured my CYA as ...I can still see the black dot/ 20 ppm or less.


I am in preparation for the Slam Process now that I have my Taylor test kit. I feel so confident! I do not wish to start the Slam until I can vacuum and clear debris efficiently.
Back to the vacuum and the skimmer and pump.
A. do I need the skimmer to run all of the time
B. do I add the skimmer with a pump that loses pressure when I am vacuuming
C. do I add a second pump and filter just for the skimmer

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! A couple questions:
1 - Which test kit? The TF-100 or Taylor K-2006C?
- Skimmer not connected? Is this an above ground pool or inground? Perhaps some pics would help.

 

[ISinktro85]

Welcome to TFP! A couple questions:
1 - Which test kit? The TF-100 or Taylor K-2006C?
- Skimmer not connected? Is this an above ground pool or inground? Perhaps some pics would help.

Dear Texas Splash, I have above ground 12x24 intex pool with 8,400 gal water I hope these pictures went through to show the setup. Test kit is TF 100.

 

[ISinktro85]

One more picture of specs.

 

[Texas Splash]

Okay, so back to some of your questions:
a - It is best to have the skimmer running so it can catch debris as quickly as possible. It was probably disconnect during winter prep, but now you should be able to reconnect the suction hose from the pump to that skimmer.
b - You may see less water flow because the filter is probably dirty.
c - Should be no need to add an addition pump just for the skimmer. The original/main pump should do all of that for you.

Hope that helps.

 

[ISinktro85]

I just am not great on these forums and sending a picture. I will try again without a zip ...well...I have been unable to attach or upload my setup picture for you these past 2 hours......ugggg... I try to attach a file and it is saved as a .zip (my photo) and this is too large. I am still trying however.

 

[Texas Splash]

You did good with these two pics. Hopefully you will be able to post more pics so we can see the other side of the filter, hose connections, and the skimmer. Keep trying.

 

[Antlo]

I just am not great on these forums and sending a picture. I will try again without a zip ...well...I have been unable to attach or upload my setup picture for you these past 2 hours......ugggg... I try to attach a file and it is saved as a .zip (my photo) and this is too large. I am still trying however.

When it says my photos are too large, I Just crop them down a bit so they show what's important but the file size is reduced I believe. Not sure if that could help you

 

[ISinktro85]

My setup photo is included this time and the cropping allowed it to fit thanks Antlo! I am not ready to start my Slam after all. So, as you see my setup, notice the hose bib at the pool liner, is hanging off. There must be a better option for my skimmer when I go to set that up. Do you have guidance for this? Thank you!

 

[ISinktro85]

Welcome to TFP! A couple questions:
1 - Which test kit? The TF-100 or Taylor K-2006C?
- Skimmer not connected? Is this an above ground pool or inground? Perhaps some pics would help.

I just posted my setup picture!

 

[Texas Splash]

Aahhhh, now we can see MUCH better. Thank you. So it looks like you have two suction port holes in the wall, then also have that over-the-wall skimmer, but it's not connected. That was part of your initial question I believe. Do you see any other connection fittings laying around perhaps? Something extra that wasn't used?

 

[Texas Splash]

It was pointed out to me that the type of skimmer you have should be able to be plugged IN to the return/suction line port from inside the pool. To do that, there may be a fitting that is supposed to be attached to the end of the skimmer hose and that would then get plugged inside the pool to one of the suction ports.

 

[Texas Splash]

Like this:

 

[PoolStored]

Here are the instructions for an INTEX skimmer if that is what you have. As always, turn the pump off before attempting to install.

 

[ISinktro85]

Here are the instructions for an INTEX skimmer if that is what you have. As always, turn the pump off before attempting to install.

View attachment 581190

Okay! I found the fittings and this chart was helpful. I put a blue fitting over a grey with threads and NOW THE SKIMMER IS ON! Thanks. Next, I thought I would siphon method to vacuum so that my pump is not required to suction. I used the vacuum via pump suction and I had to continuously, 4 or more times per day, BackFlow my sand filter. Additionally, the pump pressure would drop and the only way to get it back up to the Green psi zone, I would have to BackFlow. I will post again when I can take my measurements again with the new kit. What measurements would you like to see before I begin my SLAM?

 

[PoolStored]

FC, CC, pH, TA, CH, CYA

 

[Texas Splash]

What measurements would you like to see before I begin my SLAM?

The most important in preparing for the SLAM would be:

PH
FC
CYA

But you can also test and post the TA and CH is would would like. CH (calcium) should not apply to your pool, but we're happy to look at it just in case.

 

[ISinktro85]

Thanks I will measure today. Per my original post:
....... I measured my CYA as ...I can still see the black dot/ 20 ppm or less

What if I have CYA not showing up and I am less than 20 ppm?

 

[Texas Splash]

What if I have CYA not showing up and I am less than 20 ppm?

You can add stabilizer (CYA) 10 ppm at a time at first to ensure you don't go too high. We use the sock method. Once you know how much stabilizer to add, put it in a sock and let that sock pre-soak in the pool for a good 30 minutes. I like to place mine in the skimmer, but you can let it hang from the side of the pool. Just don't let the sock full of stabilizer rest against the liner. So after 30 minutes, take the sock by a return jet and start squeezing it all out. Shouldn't take long. Once it's all in the water, test the CYA again in a day or two. If you feel you need to add more, repeat the process. Easy stuff.

 

[ISinktro85]

Prior to today's rain right now we measure:

pH 7.8 ppm
FC 1.5 ppm
CYA 20 or less