DallasVal
08-28-2011, 03:14 PM
We began the season with a quartz resurfacing of our 10 yr. old gunite pool. Late spring rains and weepers at light fixtures delayed the process, but the job was finally completed around June 10. So we are about 2.5 months into the curing process. Here in Dallas, we are also experiencing something like our 58th day of triple digit days - many reaching 103 - 107. Lows are in the mid 80s. Oh yeah - I forgot to mention drought conditions, which mean lots of sunshine.
Your site has been my guide since re-filling the pool, regardless of what the pool store guys tell me. However, maintaining the appropriate balance with the unrelenting sun has become an increasing challenge. Plus, the plaster is curing. I'm a bit worried about the rapid rise in hardness and CYA (understand the contributing factors -curing process, local hard water and trichlor), in spite of adding at least an inch of fresh water every day. I'm also not sure how hard I should fight my pH. Guess I'm looking for feedback, more than anything, as I want this surface to last a bit longer than the original plain, white plaster and I want it to be safe. Facts (using Taylor test kit):
FC - 4
TC - 4
pH- 7.8 (no matter how I try to lower it with muriatic acid, that's where it seems to want to settle)
TA - 100
CH - 470
CYA - 100 (added CYA on filling to reach 30; using trichlor tabs for maintenace, bleach to shock; added cal hypo to shock before leaving for 4 day trip last week)
Water Temp - 92 average, usually hits 94 late in day
Only water feature is a standard fountain in the spa
13,000 gal gunite pool with quartz plaster finish
TA has pretty much settled at 90 - 100. pH bounce is less severe than the first few weeks - hits high of 8.2 periodically, but stays at 7.8, if allowed, for a few days straight. Had been trying to keep it at 7.6, but it doesn't want to stay there. I also added 20 Mule Team Borax around week 2.
I can't change the temps. I can't change the hardness factor. Am now headed to grocery for more Clorox to raise chlorine. Note that pool is generally used by two adults - no kids, little tanning oil.
Do you recommend any adjustments? TIA for any input.
Your site has been my guide since re-filling the pool, regardless of what the pool store guys tell me. However, maintaining the appropriate balance with the unrelenting sun has become an increasing challenge. Plus, the plaster is curing. I'm a bit worried about the rapid rise in hardness and CYA (understand the contributing factors -curing process, local hard water and trichlor), in spite of adding at least an inch of fresh water every day. I'm also not sure how hard I should fight my pH. Guess I'm looking for feedback, more than anything, as I want this surface to last a bit longer than the original plain, white plaster and I want it to be safe. Facts (using Taylor test kit):
FC - 4
TC - 4
pH- 7.8 (no matter how I try to lower it with muriatic acid, that's where it seems to want to settle)
TA - 100
CH - 470
CYA - 100 (added CYA on filling to reach 30; using trichlor tabs for maintenace, bleach to shock; added cal hypo to shock before leaving for 4 day trip last week)
Water Temp - 92 average, usually hits 94 late in day
Only water feature is a standard fountain in the spa
13,000 gal gunite pool with quartz plaster finish
TA has pretty much settled at 90 - 100. pH bounce is less severe than the first few weeks - hits high of 8.2 periodically, but stays at 7.8, if allowed, for a few days straight. Had been trying to keep it at 7.6, but it doesn't want to stay there. I also added 20 Mule Team Borax around week 2.
I can't change the temps. I can't change the hardness factor. Am now headed to grocery for more Clorox to raise chlorine. Note that pool is generally used by two adults - no kids, little tanning oil.
Do you recommend any adjustments? TIA for any input.