" Unattended Puck feeders " & the uninformed

[chem geek]

I use one of these and never have a problem. My numbers are perfect, my pool is incredibly clear, and I have even had people comment on how clear and sparkling it looks. AND I also have mine tied to one end of the pool b/c otherwise it gets sucked up to the skimmer and blocks it.

Just curious. Was there any metal in the pool near the area where your floater was tethered? We have two stainless steel bars that are under the water in the shallow end (my wife had polio as a child so uses the pool for exercise so we have a ramp in the pool and these just-under-the-water bars on the side). The rust seemed to come from the metal anchoring in the plaster (the two closest to where the floating dispenser with Tri-Chlor was tethered) which does not appear to be stainless, unlike the bars themselves.

Also, are you using Tri-Chlor in your feeder? If so, do you frequently have to add base to your pool (Borax, Soda Ash)? I found that I did, but since switching to liquid chlorine my pH is rock solid stable. The main problem with the use of Tri-Chlor was that my CYA went over 100 (probably around 120) in one and a half seasons.

Richard

[howbout]

Just curious. Was there any metal in the pool near the area where your floater was tethered? We have two stainless steel bars that are under the water in the shallow end (my wife had polio as a child so uses the pool for exercise so we have a ramp in the pool and these just-under-the-water bars on the side). The rust seemed to come from the metal anchoring in the plaster (the two closest to where the floating dispenser with Tri-Chlor was tethered) which does not appear to be stainless, unlike the bars themselves.

Also, are you using Tri-Chlor in your feeder? If so, do you frequently have to add base to your pool (Borax, Soda Ash)? I found that I did, but since switching to liquid chlorine my pH is rock solid stable. The main problem with the use of Tri-Chlor was that my CYA went over 100 (probably around 120) in one and a half seasons.

Richard

Yes the tabs are tri-chlor and every now and again I have to adjust the pH a little bit but not much. I do not have any metal in the pool though. I have found that this works very well for me, regardless of others experiences, I feel "if it aint broke don't fix it" LOL...early in the summer I had a serious problem with black algae and had to acid wash my pool b/c of it. As a result, I self educated on pool care and VIOLA, a sparkling clean pool!

[chem geek]

Yes the tabs are tri-chlor and every now and again I have to adjust the pH a little bit but not much. I do not have any metal in the pool though. I have found that this works very well for me, regardless of others experiences, I feel "if it aint broke don't fix it" LOL...early in the summer I had a serious problem with black algae and had to acid wash my pool b/c of it. As a result, I self educated on pool care and VIOLA, a sparkling clean pool!

Two more questions. Do you happen to have aeration features such as a waterfall, spa spillover, lots of splashing kids, fountain, etc.? Also, what is your typical TA and pH level? I'm thinking that with aeration, high TA (which you would normally have when using Tri-Chlor anyway) and not too high pH, your pool probably outgasses carbon dioxide which would cause the pH to rise thus compensating (mostly) for the pH lowering from the Tri-Chlor (so the net effect is not much of a pH change, which is what you see). Eventually over time, your TA will get lowered, but if you are using Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate, which is usually in pH Up), then you will both raise the pH and increase TA simultaneously.

In my pool, I didn't have much aeration and I used an electric pool cover that was closed except for our using the pool. So that's why I saw more of a pH drop than you probably see. Just trying to figure these things out...

Richard

[howbout]

Richard, I don't have anything to aerate the pool except my kids But we haven't been in the pool for over a week now and I just tested - pH is 7.6 and TA is 90. Right where they should be...I usually run the pump only but once a week or so put the barracuda in. If we have a bad storm (I live in South FL) on its way I will shock prior to it coming, but really, other than testing and adding tabs as needed that is about all I do. If I need to adjust the pH I use Borax I buy in the grocery store.

[chem geek]

Thanks for the info. You've got yourself a miracle pool! If it were fairly new or newly replastered, then the curing of the plaster would have a rise in pH, but... OK I'll stop trying to figure out why you aren't seeing as much of a drop in ph when using Tri-Chlor tabs nor having your CYA go through the roof like it did in my pool. Must be that Florida sun and rains (I lived in Boca Raton for a year, so I'm jealous that you've still got swimmable weather).

[howbout]

You're very welcome, and sorry I can't help you more! This pool came with the house which was built in 1987! It's in really good shape (the previous owners took very good care of it) and other than the acid wash we haven't had to do anything...but in a couple of years we're going to have to have it resurfaced for sure...meanwhile, I enjoy using it and looking at my sparkling clear water...and I understand the jealousy - we got a pool heater a couple of years ago so we could swim ALL year instead of just 9 months...LOL!