Is stabilizer necessary?

[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.

[JimK]

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.

Hehehe......good one. My mother is a Dental Hygienist so I know exactly what you are talking about! She made dang sure all us kids developed good brushing/flossing habits.

Hmmm.....since adding borates and polyquat to my routine several seasons ago, I never get a slick liner. Perhaps my automatic cleaner has been taking care of the "brushing" for me?

I promise I'll try to do better, Mom. (LOL!)

[PBLsQuad450]

There is a part of this thread that doesn't make sense to me. It's me of course, but here is what I don't get... Once Cl is in solution it is like milk in your coffee right? No part of the inside of your coffee mug is in contact with a differing level of milk. (yes, beneath the water line) Not even in the crevice where the base meets the side cylinder walls. If circulation is being considered as a potential reason (and I get this is theoretical at this point as other additives are attending to the algae relapses) for small algae relapses then the CYA would have to be near zero and the pool in full sun right? That would account for the drastic loss of Cl as it is being produced and disappearing almost simultaneously and therefore not reaching certain areas? If the Cl is in solution and staying around even for just a visit, it should be in contact with all surfaces equally? Instead of using additional products why not just use more Cl and a higher CYA level? Using the chart provided, keep the Cl level slightly higher? It has to be cheaper and easier than adding two additional chemicals.

Anyway, just thinking...