Taking control of my pool this year

[Watermom]

I have used CYA from a previous season, but not sure how long it will last.

In a 26K pool, 3lbs. 10 oz. of baking soda will give you about a 10ppm rise in alk. Don't try and make too big of a change too fast or you may cloud the water.

[BigTallGuy]

I would still love to see the cleaning instructions so I'll know exactly what to do.

Here is the link:

http://www.inyopools.com/HowToPage/h...ator_cell.aspx

Ben & Mods, I'm not sure if I am suppose to post this, if I'm not, please forgive me and delete the link.

[jilted]

I have used CYA from a previous season, but not sure how long it will last.

In a 26K pool, 3lbs. 10 oz. of baking soda will give you about a 10ppm rise in alk. Don't try and make too big of a change too fast or you may cloud the water.

Thanks. I won't have time this week to get to the pool store but my kit should be here Friday.

I would like to start building a custom spreadsheet for all the amounts required to make adjustments in my pool (like what you said about the 3lb10oz of baking soda).
Is there a good resource for that someone has already done that I can work from?

Thanks!
-stephen

[PoolDoc]

Yes, this PDF from PoolChlor (a HUGE pool service company in AZ & CA)

http://www.poolhelp.com/SimplifiedDosageFormulas.pdf

Ben

[jilted]

Thanks! That's awesome. I'm gonna convert that to a spreadsheet hehe.

I want to make sure I am close on gallons so for a predominately rectangle pool is this the correct formula?
Length of pool x width of pool x Average depth of water* (Ft.) x 7.5 = Total gallons (US)

Also, I want to make sure I understand the proper methods for adding these different chemicals to my pool. Mainly the cyanuric acid,baking soda, and muriatic acid (i have been just pouring it in by a return jet).
I know the basic stuff like throwing in shock.
I have added Calcium before at the pool store guys recommendation, diluting it in a bucket first since it generates heat.

Also, I read I should turn off the salt cell for an hour when adding anything to the pool, including salt, is this good practice?

Thanks,
-stephen

[Watermom]

Muriatic acid can be added slowly in front of a return jet, baking soda in the skimmer. CYA can either be added directly into the skimmer and then run the pump 24/7 for about 4 days while it dissolves in the filter. Or, you can put the cya in a sock and tie it in front of the return jet. Give it a squeeze a couple of times per day to help it dissolve faster. You do NOT want to add CYA granules in front of a return jet because since it is slow-dissolving, it will sink and sit on the pool floor for a few days. You don't want an acid sitting on the liner. You do NOT need calcium; you have a vinyl liner.

You have done the volume calculation correctly. I'm not sure about your question about turning off the salt cell during chemical applications. I'll let someone else answer that part.

[kelemvor]

Also, I read I should turn off the salt cell for an hour when adding anything to the pool, including salt, is this good practice?

You definitely need to turn the cell off when adding salt. I've never turned off mine when adding bleach or acid, and other than some polyquat about 6 months ago those are the only things I put in my pool.

The reason for turning it off is that adding salt increases the conductivity in the water, and until it's fully dissolved it can increase conductivity enough to cause the cell to draw significantly more current which could damage the cell or your control board/transformer.

[jilted]

You do NOT need calcium; you have a vinyl liner.

Wow. The first 2 years after we bought the house that pool guy sold me BUCKETS of calcium!
I thought he said is was good for the liner... or is that something else?

I'm so glad I found this place. Thanks!

-stephen

[aylad]

Wow. The first 2 years after we bought the house that pool guy sold me BUCKETS of calcium!
I thought he said is was good for the liner... or is that something else?

The only thing it's good for in a vinyl pool is lining the pockets of the pool store guy!!

I've heard it makes good driveway de-icer, if you have extra on hand

Janet

[jilted]

Test kit arrived today so here are my results. Thanks in advance for input.
I know the chlorine is low I added some bleach early in the week to get by.
Pump has been running 9 hours/day with the SWCG at 100% output.
Water has been clear. No rain since the outbreak though.

Chlorine
FC .8 ppm
CC: .2 ppm
pH
just above 7.8 and took 1 drop to lower it to 7.6
Alkalinity
80 ppm
CYA
unmeasurable - the little black dot never disappeared even when the tube was full!
Calcium (i ran it just for testing practice)
140 ppm

I remeasured my pool today and it came to 28,000 gallons.
17' wide X 40' long X (8+3/2) X 7.5 = 28050
For calculations should I use that number or round up to 30k or down to 25k?
I measured square but my corners are 45 degree angles but the stair area kicks out so the shallow end is wider.

Our Lowe's had no cyanuric acid stabilizer type product.
I called home depot like 30 miles away and they have it.

chemicals I have on hand
a 4 lb box of baking soda
around half of a 14 lb bucket of old cyanuric acid that was left from old home owner (closed in garage kept)
a gallon of muriatic acid
a bucket of 3" chlorine tablets (regal brand i think)
some "super blue" stuff that says it polishes the water (should I trash this stuff or use it one day)
a partial container of ProTeam Severest Algae Treatment (7% copper main ingredient)