Is stabilizer necessary?

[JimK]

Go ahead and try it without the Polyquat and just be diligent about keeping up with your chemistry. You can always go back to using it if you decide you need to. I never use any Polyquat, not even when closing my pool. I'm consistent about my chemistry and don't really need it. What I don't have to spend on that, I can use to buy something else like maybe dog food! My 3 golden retrievers go through LOTS of dog food!

Thanks for the response. When I'm feeling brave and ready to experiment (lol), I'll give it a shot.

[waterbear]

The article you reference is using ORP controllers to monitor the redox potential of the water (and not directly monitoring FC levels) and using a liquid chlorine injection system. First fact, CYA disrupts ORP controllers so systems that use then do not use CYA (or use very reduced levels). Second, his system has a pretty much constant chlorine 'drip" going into the pool. This is how many commercial systems are run out of necessity but it is not necessisarily the best way. I have also worked on a commercial install that used peristaltic dosing pumps for both liquid chlorine and acid for pH control but did not have any electronic control. The 2 pools and two spas at this installation were tested 3 times a day and the dosing pumps adjusted if needed. However, once they were set up they needed very little adjustment to keep everything where it was supposed to be.
The info he references in the article (including teh one from Kent Williams) are mostly from those with connections to ORP controller manufacturers so it is in their best interest to say that CYA is NOT beneficial because when you use ORP control it is a problem and makes the system malfunction.

[JimK]

The article you reference is using ORP controllers to monitor the redox potential of the water (and not directly monitoring FC levels) and using a liquid chlorine injection system. First fact, CYA disrupts ORP controllers so systems that use then do not use CYA (or use very reduced levels). Second, his system has a pretty much constant chlorine 'drip" going into the pool. This is how many commercial systems are run out of necessity but it is not necessisarily the best way. I have also worked on a commercial install that used peristaltic dosing pumps for both liquid chlorine and acid for pH control but did not have any electronic control. The 2 pools and two spas at this installation were tested 3 times a day and the dosing pumps adjusted if needed. However, once they were set up they needed very little adjustment to keep everything where it was supposed to be.
The info he references in the article (including teh one from Kent Williams) are mostly from those with connections to ORP controller manufacturers so it is in their best interest to say that CYA is NOT beneficial because when you use ORP control it is a problem and makes the system malfunction.

Thanks. I appreciate the clarification.

[JimK]

Hmmmm......for some reason I can't edit my post. Anyway, if it matters, my Hayward Superpump is 1hp.

Again, comments and suggestions are most welcome.

[waterbear]

My advice is just keep up the borate, stop the polyquat, and brush more. It's good that you have a pressure side cleaner since they act as as moving 'return' and help improve circulation. Running it it bit more often or a bit longer might be helpful but your electricity useage will go up.Brusihing the pool more often is cheaper!

[JimK]

My advice is just keep up the borate, stop the polyquat, and brush more. It's good that you have a pressure side cleaner since they act as as moving 'return' and help improve circulation. Running it it bit more often or a bit longer might be helpful but your electricity useage will go up.Brusihing the pool more often is cheaper!

Thanks for the tips.

Brush more? ugh! I'd rather pay for the electricity to run the cleaner more often. Can you tell I just "love" brushing (LOL)?

[waterbear]

Thanks for the tips.

Brush more? ugh! I'd rather pay for the electricity to run the cleaner more often. Can you tell I just "love" brushing (LOL)?

Pools are like teeth. If you don't brush them enough they can get yucky.
In both cases brushing helps break up biofilms! In your mouth it's called plaque. On your liner it's what makes it feel 'slimy'. The chlorine in your pool is like an antiseptic mouthwash. It kills germs (algae) but doesn't do much against plaque (biofilm) without brushing and flossing.