watermom - sounds good, and yeah i see the clumps break up going into the pump pre filter housing. i wont fight the PH... my pool chores just got even easier! i figure i can cut back on PH and TA testing to about once a week since they both seem so stable. im actually keeping a log of the time, date, what was tested/my results, and how much bleach was added to keep FC where i want it. keeping the log is helping me learn my pools personality!

aylad - good point!