Brand new pool owner = new to BBB method

[stslimited84]

Calcium chloride, sold as Calcium Increaser or other similar names.

Thanks. Is this readily available at hardware stores or places like Walmart or Target?

[famousdavis]

The only question I can throw my two cents towards is this one: 3) I'll test for the CYA and post the results. Would this be a good price for it? http://www.lowes.com/pd_86401-1772-0...ine&facetInfo=

I bought 4lbs of stablizer (not 3lbs) at a local pool store for the same price ($13.83 for my nearest Lowes). Maybe check your local pool supply store for a better price.

[stslimited84]

If the multiport valve body itself is not cracked then it doesn't need to be replaced. If the valve body is trashed then you have nothing to lose by trying to fix it. If the body is cracked at the threads I'd try JB Weld. Home depot, Lowes etc. I'd get a new PVC male fitting and smear it with the JB and thread it in and let it set. If the body is cracked beyond the threads then try the JB from the inside. the stuff is tough. As I said....nothing to lose. We're trying to see if we can see the pics you sent. I'm not sure how to do that yet. Maybe Ben is the only one who has access.
Al
Al

Some success was had. The new nut which replaced the cracked nut corrected part of the leak; however it was not the main leak. The main leak is coming from the filter where the gasket meets the metal of the filter. It is old and not very pliable anymore. Going to try a few things today, and if need be, go the jb weld route which I think/hope will fix it if we get to that point.

I'm thinking next year I'm just going to get a new D.E. filter, with a step up in size. The pool plumbing supply store charged 9 dollars for that plastic nut, ridiculous! Do newer filters come plumbed with standard PVC pieces/threading?

As far as the pool's daily chlorine fluctuations, at night I've been bumping it up to about 5.5 ppm. When tested the next evening, its at 2.5 ppm, so it almost holds at the minimum level but not quite. Should I bump up the CYA?

[aylad]

I would try bumping up the chlorine level first and see what effect that has. 7-ish, maybe? If that doesn't work, and the consumption is purely sun and not junk in the water, then it won't hurt to bump it up a little. But use small increments-- you don't want more CYA than you need!

[stslimited84]

Hey guys,

just an update. The pool seems to be holding chlorine levels better now...im thinking the cya has fully dissolved. Its holding throughout the day and I'm adding about 1.25 gals of bleach daily. Seem about right or is it using too much chlorine?

Also, the Ph levels seem to keep rising. Last week the ph was about 7.8, so I lowered it with muriatic acid to about 7.2. Tested it again today and its back up to 7.8. It shouldnt rise this fast should it?

[aylad]

Chlorine consumption sounds about right. What is your CYA level now?

Also, what is your TA? Is your pool plaster new, and curing, or is it older? This thread has gotten so long I can't remember the details without reading the whole thread. If plaster is curing, then the pH is going to rise as part of the process. If it's older plaster, and your TA is high, then you might try lowering it to around 70 and see if that doesn't make your pH more stable. Also, if you have a fountain, waterfall, or other form of water aeration in operation, that would contribute to the pH rise.

Janet

[stslimited84]

Chlorine consumption sounds about right. What is your CYA level now?

Also, what is your TA? Is your pool plaster new, and curing, or is it older? This thread has gotten so long I can't remember the details without reading the whole thread. If plaster is curing, then the pH is going to rise as part of the process. If it's older plaster, and your TA is high, then you might try lowering it to around 70 and see if that doesn't make your pH more stable. Also, if you have a fountain, waterfall, or other form of water aeration in operation, that would contribute to the pH rise.

Janet

CYA is about 35 give or take. The plaster was redone a few years ago, so i believe its past the curing stage. The last TA reading I got was about 110 ppm.

The only form of aeration would be the hot tub when its on, but it hasnt been used much at all, maybe two or 3 times and not within the past 2 weeks.

How should I go about lowering the TA? Should I aerate it using the hot tub blower?

[aylad]

You might find that you can lower your chlorine consumption a little bit more by bumping up the CYA level--I'd bump it up to around 40-50. Won't change the amount of chlorine you have to keep in the pool, but it might slow down the consumption by the sun.

I'm told by the chemists that if you're not using stabilized chlorine, then dropping the TA to about 70 will help stabilize your pH. Here's the procedure for lowering TA....http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=191 ....and I would think the hot tub blower would be an excellent way to aerate the water!

Janet

[Watermom]

Here's another guide you might like to read. It kind of goes hand in hand with the one Jan linked for you above.

Using Muriatic Acid Safely

[stslimited84]

You might find that you can lower your chlorine consumption a little bit more by bumping up the CYA level--I'd bump it up to around 40-50. Won't change the amount of chlorine you have to keep in the pool, but it might slow down the consumption by the sun.

I'm told by the chemists that if you're not using stabilized chlorine, then dropping the TA to about 70 will help stabilize your pH. Here's the procedure for lowering TA....http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=191 ....and I would think the hot tub blower would be an excellent way to aerate the water!

Janet

I was thinking of bumping up the CYA, but didnt want to do so without checking with you guys first. I read the lower TA guide and thats where I got the idea about the blower from.

Here's another guide you might like to read. It kind of goes hand in hand with the one Jan linked for you above.

Using Muriatic Acid Safely

I read that guide when I started and have been using muriatic acid since. Thank you for the help. Ill start to aerate. I wonder how long it'll take to drop it down the TA to about 70?