Closing chemistry recommendation

[Watermom]

And, remember, it isn't required to use polyquat upon closing. I never do.

[CarlD]

And, remember, it isn't required to use polyquat upon closing. I never do.

That's right. We use what has worked for us consistently. I use polyquat, Watermom doesn't. We both open to clean pools.
Who is right? Both of us.

[SunnyOptimism]

So it would seem that the PQ can and will be oxidized by the high chlorine BUT the likely outcome of that oxidation is just smaller fragments of PQ not degraded biocidal activity. FC could potentially destroy the PQ but probably not until you reach some ridiculously high FC concentration that would likely never be found on a residential swimming pool.

Ok, you all have convinced me to close my pool using polyquat....oh wait, my pool never closes

Seriously though, I now understand PQ usage better so if I had a need for it in the future, like an Ascorbic acid treatment, I'd feel a lot better prepared about how to use it.

Thanks all for your insights!!

[JimK]

That's right. We use what has worked for us consistently. I use polyquat, Watermom doesn't. We both open to clean pools.
Who is right? Both of us.

Might this indicate that the polyquat is unnecessary for closing, at least if you close late and open early?

If I remember correctly, both of you close once the water temp drops below 60 and open before it gets much above 60? Perhaps in this case just shocking is sufficient?

I imagine the type of cover used also factors into when to close/open. I know you use a mesh cover and Watermom uses none. I use to use a mesh cover and discovered it was important that I close/open according to water temp (60) like you and Watermom. Since using a solid cover, it doesn't seem important when I close or open. One year I didn't open until about June 10th (waiting on liner repair) and the water was still clear when I removed the cover.

Btw, last year my closing method was shock, wait a day, add polyquat (1 qt) and cover (solid cover). Water temp was in the mid 60's when I closed (early October) and close to 70 when I opened (early May). Water was clear.

I'm just wondering if adding polyquat is really helping or am I just wasting money. Perhaps since I keep about 60ppm borates in the pool and use a solid cover adding polyquat is unnecessary?

[JimK]

And, remember, it isn't required to use polyquat upon closing. I never do.

Do you add any chlorine during the time between closing and opening?

[CarlD]

I don't know. It's possible the PQ is a waste. $20-$25. But if it's not, then AT LEAST $20 in chlorine's going in to clean up a spring bloom.

I don't add chlorine over the winter--tough when there's a foot or more of ice. Occasionally, if necessary, I can sneak a thin plastic hose between the ice and the wall, in a corner, and drain of excess water due to rain and snow melt.

[JimK]

I don't know. It's possible the PQ is a waste. $20-$25. But if it's not, then AT LEAST $20 in chlorine's going in to clean up a spring bloom.

I don't add chlorine over the winter--tough when there's a foot or more of ice. Occasionally, if necessary, I can sneak a thin plastic hose between the ice and the wall, in a corner, and drain of excess water due to rain and snow melt.

Yeah, I was thinking about trying closing without PQ, but then if the experiment fails, the cost of cleanup, not to mention the extra effort, would likely be much more than the cost of a quart of PQ.

[Watermom]

I keep my equipment hooked up in the fall, adding bleach occasionally as necessary. When we start getting freezing temps at night, which is usually in November for us, I then drop the water level, shock the pool, take my pH up to around 7.9 and unhook equipment. Then I'm done for the winter. I do open up early -- probably in April. It gets hot early here. We can typically swim in early May. (I have not used polyquat for many years.)

[zmanh]

I am in central Va, closed several weeks ago using high chlorine, followed by a heavy dose of poly and then letting pump run for approx. 48 hours and vacuuming. Now my water is black. Did I simply close too early? First year pool owner btw. I have trees on 3 sides so I know that doesn't help. Watermom, opening in April and never covering your pool how do you deal with pollen?

[Watermom]

Watermom, opening in April and never covering your pool how do you deal with pollen?

I just use my net and skimmer to clear the pollen from the pool. Not a big deal, really. The skimmer gets most of it although I don't run the pump when I am not home to keep an eye on the skimmer basket.

As far as your pool ----- polyquat will drop the chlorine level pretty quick. So, if you didn't add more chlorine after the polyquat addition, you probably didn't have much chlorine in there. That combined with the water temperature not being very cold yet are most likely why you are now having an algae problem.