To drain or not to drain

[Jon_P]

A CYA of 50-60 is good level for a liquid chlorine pool in TX. I would exchange 50% of water, confirm CYA results, then follow the SLAM Process.

TFP usually recommends a CYA of 30 for the SLAM. Slamming at 50 will require more chlorine to reach initial SLAM level, but FC loss during the SLAM should be about the same. Your choice.

You got this?

I’d like to think I got it. lol
I do not have a submersible pump so using the MPV waste would be the easiest but I’m a little nervous about the pump running dry once water drops below the skimmer. Do I have to turn any other valves for it to drain from the main drain? I could post a pic of my setup tommorrow

 

[Mdragger88]

U can buy a cheapish submersible pump at harbor freight or rent one from Home Depot.
Do u use a winter cover & have a cover pump? Using your pool pump is an expensive risk & not advisable.

1/6 HP Submersible Utility Pump 1600 GPH

Amazing deals on this 1/6Hp Submersible Utility Pump 1600 Gph at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Here’s the cover pump i have- it works like a champ

1/4 HP Worry-Free Automatic Submersible Utility Pump

Amazing deals on this 1/4Hp Automatic Submersible Utility Pump at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

I do not have a submersible pump so using the MPV waste would be the easiest but I’m a little nervous about the pump running dry once water drops below the skimmer. Do I have to turn any other valves for it to drain from the main drain? I could post a pic of my setup tommorrow

That is the concern. You don't want the pump to run dry. If you can completely isolate the main drain or even a suction port of the sidewall, you may be able to drain past the skimmer, but I would stay by the pump's side and watch closely. A submersible pump is recommended.

You'll probably have to drain down 2.5' or so. If you know the surface area of your pool (sq/ft), multiply by 7.48 for volume of each ft. of water. Example, my pool is 537 sq/ft x 7.48= ~4,000 gallons per foot of water.

 

[Jon_P]

That is the concern. You don't want the pump to run dry. If you can completely isolate the main drain or even a suction port of the sidewall, you may be able to drain past the skimmer, but I would stay by the pump's side and watch closely. A submersible pump is recommended.

You'll probably have to drain down 2.5' or so. If you know the surface area of your pool (sq/ft), multiply by 7.48 for volume of each ft. of water. Example, my pool is 537 sq/ft x 7.48= ~4,000 gallons per foot of water.

Absolutely do not want to risk running the pump dry and I would stay next to the pump while in process. So with my setup, pictured, I should be able to turn off the skimmer and set the MPV to waste and drain through the main drain to about 3’, is that the correct process?
Waste seems to be tied in and there is no place to attach waste hose.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

You should be able to isolate the main drain by moving the valve so the "off" is facing the skimmer line. Watch the skimmer and make sure there's no suction with main drain on.

Do you know where the waste line goes? Sewer clean out?

 

[Jon_P]

You should be able to isolate the main drain by moving the valve so the "off" is facing the skimmer line. Watch the skimmer and make sure there's no suction with main drain on.

Do you know where the waste line goes? Sewer clean out?

Great!
No, I do not know where the waste water goes. Previous owner of the home could not provide any information as he was struggling with Alzheimer’s.
I’m going to try to get started this evening but it may be tommorrow as we have a few plans this afternoon. I’ll post up once I’m refilling or if something comes up. I also need to go get liquid chlorine to start the SLAM.
Can’t thank you enough for the continued help!!

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

With a FB pool (no risk of drying plaster), you can take your time draining with sub pump if the main drain doesn't work out.

I don't know what volume of water leaves the MPV in waste most. Most sewer cleanouts can handle about 12 gallon per minute (720 gph). I assume you've used the waste setting before. If not, keep an eye on plumbing...just in case.

Best of luck!

 

[Jon_P]

With a FB pool (no risk of drying plaster), you can take your time draining with sub pump if the main drain doesn't work out.

I don't know what volume of water leaves the MPV in waste most. Most sewer cleanouts can handle about 12 gallon per minute (720 gph). I assume you've used the waste setting before. If not, keep an eye on plumbing...just in case.

Best of luck!

We were able to drain to 50% last night. Went very quick using waste method, no issues. We have brushed and vacuumed and also began filling. It looks like we will be back to full by early afternoon.
We will then test the CYA and start the SLAM.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

We were able to drain to 50% last night. Went very quick using waste method, no issues. We have brushed and vacuumed and also began filling. It looks like we will be back to full by early afternoon.
We will then test the CYA and start the SLAM.

That's great...what a relief! Hopefully you've got a good source for liquid chlorine.

Let us know if you need assistance.

 

[Jon_P]

That's great...what a relief! Hopefully you've got a good source for liquid chlorine.

Let us know if you need assistance.

We are back to full and tested.
CYA 50, PH 7.2
I have 8 gallons of 10%. Pool stores are out of 12.5%
I’m going to start with 3 gallons and test in a couple of hours. Since the sun is currently on the pool, I know it may take more, just didn’t want to wait until sunset to get started. Sound good?

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

We are back to full and tested.
CYA 50, PH 7.2
I have 8 gallons of 10%. Pool stores are out of 12.5%
I’m going to start with 3 gallons and test in a couple of hours. Since the sun is currently on the pool, I know it may take more, just didn’t want to wait until sunset to get started. Sound good?

CYA is good. Stay on top of FC. It will likely go quick at first. Adjust pH to 7.2 first. Results will be invalid when FC is greater than 10 ppm.

 

[Jon_P]

CYA is good. Stay on top of FC. It will likely go quick at first. Adjust pH to 7.2 first. Results will be invalid when FC is greater than 10 ppm.

Yes PH was at 7.2 before starting

 

[Jon_P]

Yes PH was at 7.2 before starting

 

[Jon_P]

Update:
Just tested 16FC - adding another gallon to get up to 20 and then will maintain there.

 

[Mdragger88]

Slam on!

 

[Jon_P]

Update this morning:
23FC and 4CC.
Are we good to maintain at 23FC or should we increase a little more. I’m right at the SLAM chart numbers.
Pool is cloudy but not as bad as last night.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

If you're confident on the CYA test results of 50, you're good. MAINTAIN and brush. Even though you don't appear to have mustard algae, there are some good tips in this article to seek out hiding algae.

Mustard Algae

Today We are going to show you how you can get rid of mustard algae in your pool. By following the steps in this guide and with no expensive chemicals.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[reggiehammond]

If I were you, and I was you, I'd get the SWCG on order now. Unless you live next door to a Home Depot that never runs out of liquid chlorine, you're going to waste a lot of time this summer chasing down chlorine that has to be added each day.

With a SWCG, you'll go to Home Depot 1 or 2 times a year for a few boxes of Muriatic Acid. That's it.

I realize SWCG prices are way high now, but so is liquid chlorine. You'll find that stock gets depleted and rarely refilled - at least that's what I'm seeing in North Texas.

 

[Jon_P]

If I were you, and I was you, I'd get the SWCG on order now. Unless you live next door to a Home Depot that never runs out of liquid chlorine, you're going to waste a lot of time this summer chasing down chlorine that has to be added each day.

With a SWCG, you'll go to Home Depot 1 or 2 times a year for a few boxes of Muriatic Acid. That's it.

I realize SWCG prices are way high now, but so is liquid chlorine. You'll find that stock gets depleted and rarely refilled - at least that's what I'm

If I were you, and I was you, I'd get the SWCG on order now. Unless you live next door to a Home Depot that never runs out of liquid chlorine, you're going to waste a lot of time this summer chasing down chlorine that has to be added each day.

With a SWCG, you'll go to Home Depot 1 or 2 times a year for a few boxes of Muriatic Acid. That's it.

I realize SWCG prices are way high now, but so is liquid chlorine. You'll find that stock gets depleted and rarely refilled - at least that's what I'm seeing in North Texas.

 

[Jon_P]

Didn’t mean to post that previous post.

Afternoon update:
Still at 23FC and 1.5CC now
Tested CYA out of curiosity and it is at 40
No chlorine added today
Pool is much clearer