Vacation for 3 weeks in summer

[Jay_8848]

I will be on vacation for three weeks in July. As a relatively new pool owner, I have been maintaining my 15,000-gallon fiberglass pool with a variable speed pump and a SWG by myself. The average outside temperature in July is around 80°F here. I have some detailed questions and would appreciate any advice.

1. Should I keep my pump running?
2. How many hours a day should it run, and at what RPM? If I run it for few hours, should it be night or day?
3. Should I maximize the chlorine output of the SWG? Or what output % do you recommend?
4. The water is balanced right now; should I adjust any levels before I leave?
5. Do I need to add any extra chemicals, or is the chlorine from the SWG sufficient?
6. Should I cover the pool? I currently have a leaf net cover; should I invest in an opaque cover?
7. Would it be better to shut off the pump for peace of mind? If so, how should I prepare the pool?
8. Is there anything else I should be doing?

Thank you!

 

[proavia]

1. Yes
2. Long enough to adequately skim and produce the chlorine required
3. If your SWG is presently keeping up with chlorine demand, consider increasing SWG output by 10% or so
4. Drop the pH to 7.2 before you leave - if your pH tends to climb
5. SWG is sufficient
6. Maybe put the leaf cover on to minimize debris getting into the pool
7. If the pump is off, you won't be producing any FC from the SWG
8. Maybe have someone check it once a week and empty the skimmer basket.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Jay_8848]

1. Yes
2. Long enough to adequately skim and produce the chlorine required
3. If your SWG is presently keeping up with chlorine demand, consider increasing SWG output by 10% or so
4. Drop the pH to 7.2 before you leave - if your pH tends to climb
5. SWG is sufficient
6. Maybe put the leaf cover on to minimize debris getting into the pool
7. If the pump is off, you won't be producing any FC from the SWG
8. Maybe have someone check it once a week and empty the skimmer basket.

Enjoy your vacation!

Thank you!

 

[CFlaPool]

Thank you!

SWGs were made for vacationing owners. Before our SWG, we had to shock with liquid chlorine and hope it lasted. Make sure your pool water level will not get below the skimmer and suck air.

 

[Jay_8848]

SWGs were made for vacationing owners. Before our SWG, we had to shock with liquid chlorine and hope it lasted. Make sure your pool water level will not get below the skimmer and suck air.

Thank you, that is an excellent point and I was not considering it.

 

[Gardenmom]

I have a non sw, regular old chlorine 15x30x4, oval, vinyl. We are leaving for 2 weeks, we’ve always came back to bad algae, even with the pucks, in the basket and a floater. I usually put 2-3 in skimmer, 3+ in basket. They are never fully dissolved in the floater. We leave the pump running on a timer, 10 hours on, 14 off at night. Covered with solar blanket. I have my cya a bit low at 30, and the pH a bit high at 7.8, wiggle room. Any suggestions to avoid a green pool? Thanks!

 

[CFlaPool]

Do you have a neighbor or friend who could drop in a couple gallons of bleach a week into your trip? I used to do that for our neighbor.

 

[Gardenmom]

Do you have a neighbor or friend who could drop in a couple gallons of bleach a week into your trip? I used to do that for our neighbor.

Unfortunately, we don’t have anyone to help out. Our family also goes with us , so they can’t help out. But Thanks for the suggestion

 

[CFlaPool]

Have you ever just put in a lot of liquid chlorine just before you leave, or does that hurt the vinyl? I am sure someone here will have a good suggestion. Our first pool had a chrlorine tablet feeder and I would set it on high and fill it with tablets.