What did you do to your pool today?

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I finally got around to fixing what was wrong with my SWG. It pooped out late last year. Turns out is was a faulty switch in one of my "custom" circuits. Here's the deets:

Hacking IntellipH to work in cold water

If you really want to have some fun add a couple of sensors to that thing. Then you don't even have to break out the test kit. Did you write up on the forum somewhere how to accomplish that? I'd like to read about it.
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
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Glad that’s not mine.

I looked at the pool again today and seriously thought about running a few tests. We’ve been away for a couple of weeks ⛷️ing and haven’t run any tests since we’ve been back. I’m a very naughty pool owner… :hammer:

I did do a little fabrication yesterday and put Robby the robot in for a clean. I’ve had a pair or eyeballs on my solar returns that keep popping out a little. They’re the push in type. I’ve already removed the balls and expanded the fingers but yesterday I shaved off the excess plastic that held the balls in place, expanded the fingers some more and roughened up the contact surfaces. They’re a tight fit now. No pics to provide though.
 
Opened up the cover today (just the flip of a switch) and ran my Lydsto hand held vacuum on the tanning ledge and steps & threw the Aiper scuba pro in the deeper in. I plan to do this weekly as there always seems to be a bit of dirt on the edges that find its way in. Also added a gallon of last years chlorine to gid rid of it and also to maintain my SLAM level - the Scuba Pro mixed it in for me! Tested it after and it tested 22ppm FC:). I admit I love to fiddle with my pool, and it has been a long winter.

Today plan to put together two additional lounge chairs like those pictured in my avatar to give me a set of four. It's currently 23dg here but the sun is shining and there is no wind(y)

***UPDATE***
Lounge chair build completed now I have a complete set of four! After the work was done I opened cover and enjoyed a cigar my non-circulating pool along with a Moscow Mule beverage. That's a future firepit you in front still under construction.
What an enjoyable day!

thumbnail_IMG_1363.jpg
 
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Did a full suite of tests. Added stabilizer to start bringing it up to SWG stabilizer levels, added some chlorine to get me back up towards #teamrunhot, added a bag of salt. Waiting to open the water features for a couple weeks because I am sure we will get a few nights with freezing temps and would be nice to not need freeze protection. Plus it is still cool enough that I'm not sitting out back much so no need for the water features.

--Jeff
 
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Brought all my levels up to "Spring-ready." Gunna turn on the ol' SWG tomorrow.

I used a new-to-me brand of CYA this year, as recommended by @Newdude. It's the shizzle!! 40oz dissolved into my skimmer in about 30 minutes, with only a couple of two-minute squeeze sessions, and without any stubborn rocks leftover. 100% dissolved! That's a record, by far, and lessened the chore considerably. Thanks 'dude.

Now I suppose CYA granules are made by only a couple manufacturers, and perhaps this year's batch just happened to be better than other vintages. But I'll buy it next time, for sure. At least this year they're making a good batch, and this brand is quite a bit cheaper than many others on Amazon.


I bought it just a few weeks ago on Feb 4, 2025.
 
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Took advantage of the annual TFTestkits sale to buy a reagent refill set.

Also bought a set of filter cartridges. I'm not sure, but it feels like the ones that have been in the filter for the last 5+ years aren't flowing as well as they used to, even after cleaning. So I'm gonna see whether new ones save electricity by flowing better.

Also added salt and CYA. Water temperature has just reached 50F, so the SWG will be doing its thing again soon.
 
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Dirk said:
and perhaps this year's batch just happened to be better than other vintages.
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When filled the new pool, I took 4 small bags from the same new pallet at HD and 2 poofed and 2 turned into bricks. I think it has to do with any moisture getting in the bag, possibly through a small hole you can't see.

And water temp makes a huge difference too. Maybe it's just enough warmer this year that you're on the easy mush side of it
 
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Dirk said:
Brought all my levels up to "Spring-ready." Gunna turn on the ol' SWG tomorrow.

I used a new-to-me brand of CYA this year, as recommended by @Newdude. It's the shizzle!! 40oz dissolved into my skimmer in about 30 minutes, with only a couple of two-minute squeeze sessions, and without any stubborn rocks leftover. 100% dissolved! That's a record, by far, and lessened the chore considerably. Thanks 'dude.

Now I suppose CYA granules are made by only a couple manufacturers, and perhaps this year's batch just happened to be better than other vintages. But I'll buy it next time, for sure. And at least this year, they're making a good batch, and this brand is quite a bit cheaper than many others on Amazon.


I bought it just a few weeks ago on Feb 4, 2025.
Click to expand...
I really like this brand also!
 
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Not my pool but my patio which is pool related right? Put a new composite top on this hand me down table base extending it to 4 feet (it was an end table). Still need to repaint the legs but ran out of paint. More should arrive today. It’s feeling springish 🌺
IMG_2408.jpeg
 
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Water is headed toward 50F here in NC, which is our threshold for a daily dip. (Our pool is open all year.) Looking forward to it.

Every year the Mastertemp 400 is a little cranky in the spring. We only use it to heat the spa. So maybe it''s moisture from not being used for a while. This year it went over the top. AGS sensor open. Flue sensor connector open due to corrosion. System board died. Probably due to dirt and other cruft. Didn't respond to gentle cleaning. Ignored my own advice and bought a 1/3 price clone replacement from Amazon. Board appeared good quality but - in the way of clones - the connectors would not not mate with the plug headers on the board: pins too short and locking tab facing the wrong way.

Sigh. I managed to move the header plugs from old board to new, and so far it seems to be working. Knock on wood.

Looking forward to firing up the SWG and turning on the autofill supply.
 
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generessler said:
Water is headed toward 50F here in NC, which is our threshold for a daily dip. (Our pool is open all year.) Looking forward to it.

Every year the Mastertemp 400 is a little cranky in the spring. We only use it to heat the spa. So maybe it''s moisture from not being used for a while. This year it went over the top. AGS sensor open. Flue sensor connector open due to corrosion. System board died. Probably due to dirt and other cruft. Didn't respond to gentle cleaning. Ignored my own advice and bought a 1/3 price clone replacement from Amazon. Board appeared good quality but - in the way of clones - the connectors would not not mate with the plug headers on the board: pins too short and locking tab facing the wrong way.

Sigh. I managed to move the header plugs from old board to new, and so far it seems to be working. Knock on wood.

Looking forward to firing up the SWG and turning on the autofill supply.
Click to expand...
You get in at 50°f!? Wow, that's dedication right there.
 
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generessler said:
Heh. Yeah you gotta feel yourself living, especially in these crazy times.
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I will have to live vicariously through you my internet friend!
The only dip I’ll be taking is in the hot tub 😂
 
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Installed new filter cartridges. Was hoping they'd let me run my pump more slowly, but they flow only a couple percent better than the old cartridges, and the difference is likely only because the old carts are dirty. Sigh.

Might be time to install a heater bypass. But maybe removing my pointless UV system would also open up the flow.,....
 
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Tested and added a little FC, MA, and CYA. SWCG is producing off and on through the weeks now, as long as the daytime temps are getting up in the 60's and low 70's.

Also checked the Accuweather 45 day forecast and decided to go ahead and open up all the water features. Shows only a couple of times that we may drop low enough to kick on freeze protection, but not low enough to actually freeze. So shouldn't have any issues with the deck jets freezing the deck over.

--Jeff
 
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Turbo1Ton said:
Also checked the Accuweather 45 day forecast
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2 AM is the last time I will see a less than 33, according to the app. :ROFLMAO::party:

I was just telling poolstored that from here on out, i may get upset looking at the ugly cover at any moment and be open an hour later.
 
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