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Thread: Should I Get a UV unit for My Pool

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  1. #1
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    Default Should I Get a UV unit for My Pool

    It looks like I'm going to spend a lot of time on this forum.

    My wife and I just bought a house with our first pool. We're moving from a house with lake access to a house with a pool with the thought that it will be more relaxing to just walk out the back door and swim vs. get in the boat to go out and swim. We'll see about that. Had a pool inspection yesterday and the pool and equipment got generally good marks. 33,000 gallon free-form gunite, a sand filter and I don't know the details. I can change the oil on my boat but I don't know the first thing about testing pool water. I will begin reading immediately.

    One quick question to get started. The pool inspector (who is a pool builder) recommended a Delta UV setup and said it would cut back on chlorine use. Any opinions on that?

    Thanks in advance.
    Last edited by PoolDoc; 06-19-2018 at 07:10 PM. Reason: clarify title

  2. #2
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    Default Re: First Pool Ever

    Your pool inspector is full of it; you aren't going to save chlorine by adding a little MORE of what the sun already does a lot!

    UV system *never* reduce chlorine use on properly managed pools; they always increase it, due to increased photolysis of the chlorine. This can be a good thing on INDOOR pools, since chlorine photolysis releases some high energy oxidants that help oxidize complex combined chlorines on outdoor pools; but on outdoor pools, a UV system is sort of like putting a trolling motor on a ski boat that already has 150hp outboard Honda!

    1. Get a cheap OTO/phenol red drops kit and 12 gallons of plain 8% bleach at Walmart. Test your pool, post the results AND start dumping 2 gallons of bleach in the pool every evening -- till you have a better plan. It is much, much easier to avoid algae, than to clean it up!

    2. Order a K2006 testkit, so you can manage pool instead of being 'pool-stored'. You have to understand that inaccurate water testing BENEFITS pool stores by increasing chemical sales! http://pool9.net/tk/

    3. ID your pump & filter AND any other equipment. Get make and model numbers. I'll help you find the manuals online. Once you have the info, post it => http://pool9.net/pf-equip-form

    . . . that's a start.

  3. #3
    Pappy is offline PF Supporter Widget Weaver Pappy 0
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    Default Re: First Pool Ever

    If the pool is not covered, you'll get plenty of UV from the sun. It seems the general consensus around here is that the CORRECT UV system MIGHT be helpful for an indoor pool, but is probably a waste of money for an outdoor pool. Be sure to read everything at PoolSolutions.com. It is a sister site. You'll also want a good test kit so you'll know what condition your pool water is in. http://pool9.net/tk/

    Enjoy your new pool & WELCOME to the Pool Forum. It's a great place to learn about how your pool should be cared for.

    Pappy
    Intex 15ftx4ft 4500 gal. 3/4 HP Pentair WhisperFlo pump. Hayward 21" sand filter. Taylor K-2006 & K-1106 kits. PF=27

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    Default Re: First Pool Ever

    Pool Doc and Pappy, thanks for the information. We won't take possession of the new place until July so I'll get back with the details you asked for. Speaking with the seller, he seems to have a pretty good maintenance plan for his pool that I asked him to write down for me. I'm not gonna lie, it's intimidating for a new owner. I will have a hundred questions like how long to run the filter (I think he said he runs it 8 hours a day), etc. I'm reading as much as I have time for on these forums. Thanks again.
    PS: I ordered the test kit recommended here. And the current owner has those inflatable solar rings floating on about 3/4 of the surface.

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    Default Re: First Pool Ever

    OK, we are still 2 weeks away from closing and taking over the new house and pool. But we went over today and I brought back a water sample to test with my new K2006 kit. I don't know the water temp but the ambient temp was around 82 and I would say with all-day sun the water temp was at least upper 70s. It looked clean and pretty clear. I could see the Polaris 280 in the deep end (8 feet) pretty clearly. I also noticed it has a Hayward Chlorinator (not inline) and the homeowner uses trichlor tablets in the chlorinator. Here are the test numbers:
    pH 7.4
    CYA 85
    CH 270
    FC 13.5
    CC .5
    TA 100

    I believe he runs the filter 8-10 hours each day and that's about all I know. What do you think?
    32k free-form, Triton II TR-60 sand filter, Sta-Rite 1 hp pump, BBB, Polaris 280 cleaner, Jandy Zodiac heater, K-2006

  6. #6
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    Default Re: First Pool Ever

    Those numbers are fine -- no reason to panic or even stress.

    Basically, you could get by for weeks just by pouring 1/2 - 1 gallon jug of bleach into the pool every evening. So, now you have a super simple fall-back plan.

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    Default Re: First Pool Ever

    Good to know. Thanks, I appreciate the information.
    32k free-form, Triton II TR-60 sand filter, Sta-Rite 1 hp pump, BBB, Polaris 280 cleaner, Jandy Zodiac heater, K-2006

  8. #8
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    Default Re: First Pool Ever

    Quote Originally Posted by Pappy View Post
    If the pool is not covered, you'll get plenty of UV from the sun. It seems the general consensus around here is that the CORRECT UV system MIGHT be helpful for an indoor pool, but is probably a waste of money for an outdoor pool.
    FWIW, according to the American Cancer Society, the UV we get from the sun is 95% UVA and 5% UVB. UVA and even moreso UVB can cause skin cancer, but are only moderately effective at killing bacteria and viruses. UVC, the UV that is used for disinfecting, aka "germicidal UV" is a different part of the light spectrum--approximately 254nm. UVC is the UV used in water treatment. UVC does not penetrate the atmosphere, even at the equator, so you don't get the "good UV" from sunlight (although there is some indication that some UVC might be getting through at the south pole.) So UVC is man made down here at the earth's surface.

    The combination of UV and ozone are claimed to eliminate chlorine compounds. In my tests, "CC" is always -0-. There is also evidence that chlorine-resistant bacteria and parasites are killed by O3 and UV systems. For some people the evidence is sufficient to use O3 and UV in addition to chlorine. I won't start an argument for or against, as from what I've read here and elsewhere, the Yes/No for O3+UV seems comparable to the Yes or No, For or Against the value of a manual thumb safety on a defensive handgun. Those opposed will not be swayed in their beliefs, nor will those for. Luckily both groups can have it their way, as it is a preference, not a law.

    When considered in the context of the entire cost of a swimming pool and spa, the addition of O3 and UV treatment is not much money. Like I said, FWIW.

    Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving and has a Merry Christmas.
    Bill

  9. #9
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    Default Re: First Pool Ever

    We've been over this at least a dozen times in the forum. While some of your statements, like "There is also evidence that chlorine-resistant bacteria and parasites are killed by O3 and UV systems" are true theoretically, they are not true practically with respect to any system you are likely to install on your pool. (Well, unless you are willing to spend several $100,000's for a German DIN-standard ozone system, plus several $100,000's MORE, per YEAR, for a team of German system operators living on site.)

    I'm not wasting my time analyzing the specific details of the expensive junk you've been sold, just to prove, all over again, that the systems actually sold are useless or worse. And, I'm not going to allow you to waste other people's time, misleading them as you attempt to justify your purchase decision. I've tried to be nice about such stuff in the past, but it doesn't work.

    If you want to convince yourself that you haven't been snookered, feel free to do so in the privacy of your own home!

    But, I'm not going to allow it here. Please go argue your point elsewhere.

  10. #10
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    Default Re: First Pool Ever

    PS. If this is what you meant by the 'other forum' being "close-minded", well, please consider me and the PoolForum close-minded, too.

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