Waxahachie, TX Owner Build - A race to beat the baby!

[JoyfulNoise]

Leslie's sells liquid chlorine (10%). You have to ask for it specifically and they will give you the Mr. Spock eyebrow raise when you ask for it. They should also sell granular CYA either as "stabilizer" or "conditioner". You can usually buy it in 6lbs bottles. You might have to ask for that as well. Refuse all "free" water testing and, if they try to sell you anything, just get what you need and tell them you'll run their recommendations by your PB (winky, winky). Don't buy it yet but ask them how much they charge for calcium increaser to up CH (should be calcium chloride). Also, ask for bulk pricing on pool salt if they offer it, you'll be buying a few hundred pounds of it in the near future.

Costco will sell standard Clorox (121 oz bottles) in a 3-pack for ~$10. They also have 13lbs bags of baking soda.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk,16k gal SWG pool (All Pentair), QuadDE100 Filter, Taylor K-2006

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Matt, I'm sold on doing this for our fence as I don't think the installers did. I happened to see some narrow silver ~3" bars on the ground when they were installing the gates, but I didn't ask what they were and definitely didn't see any copper wire. Can I find what I need to make these sacrificial anodes at the hardware store? Also, we have 3 gates... Should I put one on each gate? Do I do it on the gate itself, or the gate post? We have about 160' of this fence installed.

I doubt they did it but you can ask. They will likely tel you it's unnecessary. I can't say definitely that it will lengthen the life of the fence; it's just cheap insurance against rust.

You'd have to look up sacrificial zinc anodes online (don't use aluminum ones as it depends on the specific alloy and magnesium anodes are hard to find and typically a lot more expensive than zinc). Most of what you'll find are anodes for marine application (zinc boat anodes) or hot water heater anodes. You can call around to electrical suppliers or plumbing suppliers to see if they have anything you can bury in the ground. Online should yield some results too.

You need to attach an anode to each segment of the fence that is separated by a gate. The gate is attached to one side of the fence so it should be ok. You can attached the anode anywhere, the point of contact can be near the ground to hid everything. If you have three gates, then you likely have four segments; each will need an anode. You could attach them all to one anode but then you'd have to run a lot of wire. You will have to scratch off a little of the powder coating so that when you make contact with the electrical lug it's a metal-to-metal contact.

Update -

Here's an example of a magnesium anode - Little Giant Sacrificial Anode SA-1

 

[JamieP]

Leslie's sells liquid chlorine (10%). You have to ask for it specifically and they will give you the Mr. Spock eyebrow raise when you ask for it. They should also sell granular CYA either as "stabilizer" or "conditioner". You can usually buy it in 6lbs bottles. You might have to ask for that as well. Refuse all "free" water testing and, if they try to sell you anything, just get what you need and tell them you'll run their recommendations by your PB (winky, winky). Don't buy it yet but ask them how much they charge for calcium increaser to up CH (should be calcium chloride). Also, ask for bulk pricing on pool salt if they offer it, you'll be buying a few hundred pounds of it in the near future.

Costco will sell standard Clorox (121 oz bottles) in a 3-pack for ~$10. They also have 13lbs bags of baking soda.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk,16k gal SWG pool (All Pentair), QuadDE100 Filter, Taylor K-2006

Interesting... I happened to call Leslie's before I saw your post to check on liquid chlorine (what I specifically asked if they carried) and the guy said they don't carry it because it loses it's potency too quickly. Then I asked if they carry lower concentration bleach and he said no. So I don't know if that's just Waxahachie, or is typical of Leslie's stores in the DFW area. I guess I can call around to check, but no other store would be very convenient.

I'll probably make a trip to the Waxahachie location today or tomorrow to check on the other things you mentioned. It sure would be nice to get bulk pricing on all that salt I'm going to need!

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Interesting... I happened to call Leslie's before I saw your post to check on liquid chlorine (what I specifically asked if they carried) and the guy said they don't carry it because it loses it's potency too quickly. Then I asked if they carry lower concentration bleach and he said no. So I don't know if that's just Waxahachie, or is typical of Leslie's stores in the DFW area. I guess I can call around to check, but no other store would be very convenient.

I'll probably make a trip to the Waxahachie location today or tomorrow to check on the other things you mentioned. It sure would be nice to get bulk pricing on all that salt I'm going to need!

That's not surprising at all. There's almost no profit to be made on selling liquid chlorine. The shops around me typically sell it to pool service guys. I have a local pool store (eKonomy Pools) that sells it in bulk, refillable containers. So liquid chlorine available is definitely spotty at best. Some folks here on TFP (South Carolina peeps, I think) can't get it anywhere in the state and have to simply use store bought bleach.

 

[JamieP]

I doubt they did it but you can ask. They will likely tel you it's unnecessary. I can't say definitely that it will lengthen the life of the fence; it's just cheap insurance against rust.

You'd have to look up sacrificial zinc anodes online (don't use aluminum ones as it depends on the specific alloy and magnesium anodes are hard to find and typically a lot more expensive than zinc). Most of what you'll find are anodes for marine application (zinc boat anodes) or hot water heater anodes. You can call around to electrical suppliers or plumbing suppliers to see if they have anything you can bury in the ground. Online should yield some results too.

You need to attach an anode to each segment of the fence that is separated by a gate. The gate is attached to one side of the fence so it should be ok. You can attached the anode anywhere, the point of contact can be near the ground to hid everything. If you have three gates, then you likely have four segments; each will need an anode. You could attach them all to one anode but then you'd have to run a lot of wire. You will have to scratch off a little of the powder coating so that when you make contact with the electrical lug it's a metal-to-metal contact.

Update -

Here's an example of a magnesium anode - Little Giant Sacrificial Anode SA-1

Thanks for the explanation. Does this look like something that would work?
Amazon.com: Martyr CM818298Z Zinc Alloy Outboard Bar Mercury/Mercruiser Anode: Sports Outdoors
Or
Amazon.com: Martyr CM826134Z Zinc Alloy Anode (Honda Anode, Wedge Mercury / Mercruiser Anode- Gen. II) Zinc: Sports Outdoors
And just so I understand exactly what I'd be doing... Do I just wrap some copper wire around the anode through the hole and then attached it to a bare metal spot on the fence and bury it in the ground? Does the wire get attached to the fence and the anode get buried, or the other way around? Is there a particular way I attach these to the fence and depth I need to bury them?

 

[ummgood]

Jamie maybe your guy just doesn't know what he is talking about at Leslies...

We have two stores near us and one is completely useless and the people there I don't even think have owned a pool. The other one was great and the people there really understood what I was asking and could quickly find products. Well they just closed one and guess what one they closed?? Yep now I have to deal with the poor one.

Anyway I have purchased the chlorine at Leslies and they call it "Liquid Shock". AND on top of that at the poor store I was asking if it was pure chlorine and they looked at me like I was speaking German. Anyway it is 10-12% bleach basically. When I get home I'll see if I have some left from Leslies so you can have something to show them. They might have what you are looking for but I have found that if you don't speak their language they seem clueless.

 

[ummgood]

I found a link to the stuff they have at my Leslies...

4 Gallons Liquid Pool Shock (Local Pick-up)

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Thanks for the explanation. Does this look like something that would work?
Amazon.com: Martyr CM818298Z Zinc Alloy Outboard Bar Mercury/Mercruiser Anode: Sports Outdoors
Or
Amazon.com: Martyr CM826134Z Zinc Alloy Anode (Honda Anode, Wedge Mercury / Mercruiser Anode- Gen. II) Zinc: Sports Outdoors
And just so I understand exactly what I'd be doing... Do I just wrap some copper wire around the anode through the hole and then attached it to a bare metal spot on the fence and bury it in the ground? Does the wire get attached to the fence and the anode get buried, or the other way around? Is there a particular way I attach these to the fence and depth I need to bury them?

I'd get the second one. But there are disc shaped zinc anodes (used inside pool skimmers...oi!!) that already have a threaded hole.

You need to securely screw, bolt or otherwise attach a copper wire (use solid conductor) to the zinc anode and bury it in the ground (somewhere where's there a little moisture to the soil). You can attach the other end of the wire to the fence using something like a bronze ground clamp - Amazon.com: ground pipe clamp

Check out the local hardware stores and see if you can find something cheap. You don't need much wire to do the job and there's no need to be super-fancy about this.

 

[JamieP]

Jamie maybe your guy just doesn't know what he is talking about at Leslies...

We have two stores near us and one is completely useless and the people there I don't even think have owned a pool. The other one was great and the people there really understood what I was asking and could quickly find products. Well they just closed one and guess what one they closed?? Yep now I have to deal with the poor one.

Anyway I have purchased the chlorine at Leslies and they call it "Liquid Shock". AND on top of that at the poor store I was asking if it was pure chlorine and they looked at me like I was speaking German. Anyway it is 10-12% bleach basically. When I get home I'll see if I have some left from Leslies so you can have something to show them. They might have what you are looking for but I have found that if you don't speak their language they seem clueless.

That wouldn't surprise me! When I go in I'll ask about the liquid shock and see what he says. Too bad you have to deal with the lousy store now... At least *you* know what you need so even if they guy can't find it right away, you won't be leaving with something you don't want or need.

 

[JamieP]

I found a link to the stuff they have at my Leslies...

4 Gallons Liquid Pool Shock (Local Pick-up)

Thanks, umm. I called back and asked if they carry liquid shock and they don't have that either. So I guess I'll be stuck with the typical stores selling bleach, which should be fine anyway. Now that I think of it, this was a big reason why we ended up doing a SWG after I initially considered a stenner setup.

- - - Updated - - -

I'd get the second one. But there are disc shaped zinc anodes (used inside pool skimmers...oi!!) that already have a threaded hole.

You need to securely screw, bolt or otherwise attach a copper wire (use solid conductor) to the zinc anode and bury it in the ground (somewhere where's there a little moisture to the soil). You can attach the other end of the wire to the fence using something like a bronze ground clamp - Amazon.com: ground pipe clamp

Check out the local hardware stores and see if you can find something cheap. You don't need much wire to do the job and there's no need to be super-fancy about this.

Thanks, Matt. This is beginning to form a better picture in my mind now of what would need to be done. I appreciate your help.

 

[ummgood]

Ok dumb question. I think I might want one of those anodes too. I have a hand rail that goes within inches of my pool. The electrician bonded the hand rail to the bond wire that is going around my pool. If I get one of these anodes and tie it to the copper wire going to the bond wire that should prevent against rust of the hand rail? Or would a separate copper wire be necessary?

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Ok dumb question. I think I might want one of those anodes too. I have a hand rail that goes within inches of my pool. The electrician bonded the hand rail to the bond wire that is going around my pool. If I get one of these anodes and tie it to the copper wire going to the bond wire that should prevent against rust of the hand rail? Or would a separate copper wire be necessary?

In that case, you could just add a zinc anode to the bond wire near your equipment pad since the handrail is attached to it. No need to string an additional wire. Attaching a zinc anode to the bond wiring and burying the anode is just fine. Optimally speaking, you want the sac-anode to be near the "thing" you're protecting, but it's not always possible to do that.

- - - Updated - - -

Personally speaking, I think you'd be the coolest kid on the block with one of these -
Martyr Anodes Grouper Anode Zinc Grouper Fish Zinc Anode W/6' Cable - GROUPER - BoatersWorld.com

 

[ummgood]

In that case, you could just add a zinc anode to the bond wire near your equipment pad since the handrail is attached to it. No need to string an additional wire. Attaching a zinc anode to the bond wiring and burying the anode is just fine. Optimally speaking, you want the sac-anode to be near the "thing" you're protecting, but it's not always possible to do that.

- - - Updated - - -

Personally speaking, I think you'd be the coolest kid on the block with one of these -
Martyr Anodes Grouper Anode Zinc Grouper Fish Zinc Anode W/6' Cable - GROUPER - BoatersWorld.com

Hahaha! That is funny!

I will probably buy one and bury it near the hand rail. Right now it is exposed anyway because I just finished city inspections so I can easily get to it.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Hahaha! That is funny!

I will probably buy one and bury it near the hand rail. Right now it is exposed anyway because I just finished city inspections so I can easily get to it.

You want it to be accessible in some way. If the anode is actually doing its job, it'll only last a few years before it totally corrodes away and has to be replaced (...hence the reason why they are "sacrificial").

 

[ummgood]

You want it to be accessible in some way. If the anode is actually doing its job, it'll only last a few years before it totally corrodes away and has to be replaced (...hence the reason why they are "sacrificial").

Ok thanks. I might buy a little irrigation box and put it in there so I can access it.

 

[And5555]

Thanks, umm. I called back and asked if they carry liquid shock and they don't have that either. So I guess I'll be stuck with the typical stores selling bleach, which should be fine anyway. Now that I think of it, this was a big reason why we ended up doing a SWG after I initially considered a stenner setup.

I probably just missed this, but did you check Home Depot? I got acid and liquid chlorine from HD (by the garden section outside).

 

[kimkats]

Be VERY careful with Home D. and Lowes chlorine or bleach. Make sure to check the date codes.

We had one member buy a LOT of chlorine or bleach from her local Home D. to do a SLAM. She was all set for a long weekend of pool babysitting. She added and added and added BUT the FC did not go up like it should have! It ends up the stuff was OLD as in about a year and half old and mostly water by that time. She was able to get her money back but not her time

Kim

 

[FloridaPoolGal]

I probably just missed this, but did you check Home Depot? I got acid and liquid chlorine from HD (by the garden section outside).

I bought some at HD in mid January that had a date code of January 6. My problem might be that the bleach was actually STRONGER than what was listed on the bottle!

 

[JoyfulNoise]

The other problem with the big box hardware stores is that they often put the put chemicals outside in the garden area. Heat and sunlight do as much to degrade bleach as time does. So if the bleach is not stored inside the store, then there's a good chance it will not be as fresh. So be careful with bleach. Find a place that has good turn over rate and keeps the stuff indoors. Walmart Great Value bleach is a favorite because it's got a high turnover rate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk,16k gal SWG pool (All Pentair), QuadDE100 Filter, Taylor K-2006

 

[JamieP]

The other problem with the big box hardware stores is that they often put the put chemicals outside in the garden area. Heat and sunlight do as much to degrade bleach as time does. So if the bleach is not stored inside the store, then there's a good chance it will not be as fresh. So be careful with bleach. Find a place that has good turn over rate and keeps the stuff indoors. Walmart Great Value bleach is a favorite because it's got a high turnover rate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk,16k gal SWG pool (All Pentair), QuadDE100 Filter, Taylor K-2006

This is good to keep in mind. I was at Walmart tonight and checked out their Great Value bleach. The date code was from mid February, so I thought that was pretty good. Since my plaster date is still up in the air and Walmart is so close, I didn't bother getting any jet, but it's good to know it's a fresh source. It was $2.94 for a jug of 8.25%. I'll have to track down the online calculator and see how that compares. I think that's about the best I can get around here.