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| 08:54 PM | ||
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| 08:54 PM | ||
Anyone here ever have an above ground pool? Chemical confusion! | |
Fortunabeargirl
(OP) User ID: 79243720  United States06/24/2021 08:57 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Thank you for the replies! Quoting: Fortunabeargirl I adjusted for alkalinity first by using baking soda. Now it's too high I guess. Will soda ash bring it down? But what really confused me, is that I shocked the pool at night and when I checked the chlorine levels the next morning, there was NO chlorine in the pool. Wth? Guy at the pool supply store said that I needed Cyanauric something (conditioner) bc the sunlight ate up all the chlorine. But I added the chlorine at night after dark, and checked early morning. So, how can it be that? Do I need to worry about Calcium hardness? I thought that the alkalinity affected the PH, and I am really confused how to keep both in line when one affects the other. Which adjustment should I worry about first? Alkalinity simply means a pH > 7. Higher pH is more alkaline. Acidity is pH < 7. So they are basically the same. So, I adjust the alkalinity and the ph will follow suit? Yes. Increasing alkalinity means you are raising the pH. Decreasing it is lowering the pH. Adding alkaline chemicals like sodium bicarbonate will increase the pH, and thus alkalinity. I get it! LIGHTBULB MOMENT!! Last Edited by Fortunabeargirl on 06/24/2021 08:58 AM Sometimes I feel like a nut. Sometimes I don't. ***Certified Thread Killah*** |
| Anonymous Coward User ID: 75554760  Canada06/24/2021 08:58 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | add a chlorine puck or liquid chlorine about once a week. You determine the need for it with your test kit. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 75554760 the stabilizer prevents the sun from eating up the chlorine too fast. It's like a preservative. after a week of rain, you may need PH down as rain is acidic. vacuum clean weekly. Debris breaks down into bio stuff. the faygs at the pool store will sell you 55 things you dont need. get your water tested after opening, mid summer and before close. there is absolutely nothing hard about this so don't over think. chlorine and ph is ALL you need to worry about. also, if you fertilize the lawn, be careful not to get any in the water. Thanks for the advice. I was only able to find the 1" chlorine tablets. I guess if I use three, that is the same as if I used a 3" tablet. Do you put the tablet in your skimmer or in one of those floaty things? ya put it right in the skimmer. try 3 and wait a few days and test your chlorine...after a while you'll dial it in. maybe 3 is a bit much and you go down to 2 or maybe 3 is still a bit low on the chlorine so you add 4 instead. every pool is a bit different. i've never encountered 1". I've only seen the 3" but it's the same shit. remember, it's super easy. people who run pool businesses don't want you to know that. they want you chasing chemicals. |
| Fortunabeargirl
(OP) User ID: 79243720 United States06/24/2021 09:04 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | add a chlorine puck or liquid chlorine about once a week. You determine the need for it with your test kit. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 75554760 the stabilizer prevents the sun from eating up the chlorine too fast. It's like a preservative. after a week of rain, you may need PH down as rain is acidic. vacuum clean weekly. Debris breaks down into bio stuff. the faygs at the pool store will sell you 55 things you dont need. get your water tested after opening, mid summer and before close. there is absolutely nothing hard about this so don't over think. chlorine and ph is ALL you need to worry about. also, if you fertilize the lawn, be careful not to get any in the water. Thanks for the advice. I was only able to find the 1" chlorine tablets. I guess if I use three, that is the same as if I used a 3" tablet. Do you put the tablet in your skimmer or in one of those floaty things? ya put it right in the skimmer. try 3 and wait a few days and test your chlorine...after a while you'll dial it in. maybe 3 is a bit much and you go down to 2 or maybe 3 is still a bit low on the chlorine so you add 4 instead. every pool is a bit different. i've never encountered 1". I've only seen the 3" but it's the same shit. remember, it's super easy. people who run pool businesses don't want you to know that. they want you chasing chemicals. Very helpful! I got more useful info here, in less than an hour, than I did with that pool guy and searching for hours online! And only one asshole comment on the whole thread. This is going to be great after days of banging my head against the pool wall. Lol I LOVE GLP!  Sometimes I feel like a nut. Sometimes I don't. ***Certified Thread Killah*** |
| Anonymous Coward User ID: 75554760 Canada06/24/2021 09:10 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | add a chlorine puck or liquid chlorine about once a week. You determine the need for it with your test kit. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 75554760 the stabilizer prevents the sun from eating up the chlorine too fast. It's like a preservative. after a week of rain, you may need PH down as rain is acidic. vacuum clean weekly. Debris breaks down into bio stuff. the faygs at the pool store will sell you 55 things you dont need. get your water tested after opening, mid summer and before close. there is absolutely nothing hard about this so don't over think. chlorine and ph is ALL you need to worry about. also, if you fertilize the lawn, be careful not to get any in the water. Thanks for the advice. I was only able to find the 1" chlorine tablets. I guess if I use three, that is the same as if I used a 3" tablet. Do you put the tablet in your skimmer or in one of those floaty things? ya put it right in the skimmer. try 3 and wait a few days and test your chlorine...after a while you'll dial it in. maybe 3 is a bit much and you go down to 2 or maybe 3 is still a bit low on the chlorine so you add 4 instead. every pool is a bit different. i've never encountered 1". I've only seen the 3" but it's the same shit. remember, it's super easy. people who run pool businesses don't want you to know that. they want you chasing chemicals. Very helpful! I got more useful info here, in less than an hour, than I did with that pool guy and searching for hours online! And only one asshole comment on the whole thread. This is going to be great after days of banging my head against the pool wall. Lol I LOVE GLP! Pools are great fun..I have a big salty inground but I take care of 10 others. my side gig is neighbourhood "pool boy". It's really super easy. in 2 weeks, you'll have your chemistry nailed! enjoy :) |
| overwatch
User ID: 78531121 United States06/24/2021 09:13 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I've had pools my whole life. With very special exceptions, all I've ever needed was liquid chlorine (shock) and muratic acid. I usually have a floater with a few chlorine tabs in it also. Once a week with the shock. Check ph for acid once a week also. I would usually just walk the perimeter of the pool with the shock and let it slowly pour out all the way around. Leave the pump off for an hour when doing this. Brush the pool and turn pump back on. Easy peasy |
| Anonymous Coward User ID: 75147420 United States06/24/2021 09:20 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Cyanauric acid is what he told you that you needed. That is stabilizer. You can have enough chlorine in the pool but there not be enough “ free chlorine” available. In that case you will need the cyanauric acid ( stabilizer) to up your free chlorine levels. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 80522163 I see. Thank you! And Alkaline and PH. Do what the pool store told you to do. |
| Anonymous Coward User ID: 77132540 United States06/24/2021 09:27 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
| Anonymous Coward User ID: 80507110 United States06/24/2021 09:32 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
| Fortunabeargirl
(OP) User ID: 79243720 United States06/24/2021 09:42 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | ... Quoting: Fortunabeargirl Thanks for the advice. I was only able to find the 1" chlorine tablets. I guess if I use three, that is the same as if I used a 3" tablet. Do you put the tablet in your skimmer or in one of those floaty things? ya put it right in the skimmer. try 3 and wait a few days and test your chlorine...after a while you'll dial it in. maybe 3 is a bit much and you go down to 2 or maybe 3 is still a bit low on the chlorine so you add 4 instead. every pool is a bit different. i've never encountered 1". I've only seen the 3" but it's the same shit. remember, it's super easy. people who run pool businesses don't want you to know that. they want you chasing chemicals. Very helpful! I got more useful info here, in less than an hour, than I did with that pool guy and searching for hours online! And only one asshole comment on the whole thread. This is going to be great after days of banging my head against the pool wall. Lol I LOVE GLP! Pools are great fun..I have a big salty inground but I take care of 10 others. my side gig is neighbourhood "pool boy". It's really super easy. in 2 weeks, you'll have your chemistry nailed! enjoy :) Thanks for the vote of confidence! :) Sometimes I feel like a nut. Sometimes I don't. ***Certified Thread Killah*** |
| Anonymous Coward User ID: 80445541 United States06/24/2021 09:44 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Look into the BBB method. Bleach, baking soda, and borax. It works and it's the cheapest way to do it, but it's a neverending hassle. Lowest possible maintenance requires saltwater or mineral system. Pricey, but you'll spend that (plus countless headaches) on chemicals anyway. Quoting: Pres. Elect Festus Hoggbottom I used to wish I had a pool but maybe not so much anymore. |
| Fortunabeargirl
(OP) User ID: 79243720 United States06/24/2021 09:49 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I've had pools my whole life. With very special exceptions, all I've ever needed was liquid chlorine (shock) and muratic acid. I usually have a floater with a few chlorine tabs in it also. Once a week with the shock. Check ph for acid once a week also. I would usually just walk the perimeter of the pool with the shock and let it slowly pour out all the way around. Leave the pump off for an hour when doing this. Brush the pool and turn pump back on. Easy peasy Quoting: overwatch Thanks for the specifics. I was wondering if I should have the pump off or on. The only Shock I've seen around here are the packets of granules. Should I still do it the way you described? I'm guessing the muriatic acid is to lower alkalinity and therefore the PH. Sometimes I feel like a nut. Sometimes I don't. ***Certified Thread Killah*** |
| Fortunabeargirl
(OP) User ID: 79243720 United States06/24/2021 09:51 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
| Fortunabeargirl
(OP) User ID: 79243720 United States06/24/2021 09:54 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | This is it.. Dont fall for the hype of the pool chem store. The only other item is stabilizer if your chlorine doesnt seem to last I'm going to pick up some stabilizer and use the chlorine, shock that I've already bought. But once I read up on it more, I will probably be switching to the BBB. I know the baking soda works to raise alkalinity. Bc I tried it, put too much and my alkalinity shot up! Sometimes I feel like a nut. Sometimes I don't. ***Certified Thread Killah*** |
| Fortunabeargirl
(OP) User ID: 79243720 United States06/24/2021 09:56 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
| Anonymous Coward User ID: 80251135 Canada06/24/2021 10:00 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | We got an above ground pool. Quoting: Fortunabeargirl It's up and running, but I am lost trying to figure out the chemicals. I've read and watched videos, but I can't make heads or tails of it. I went to the pool supply store and had my water tested. They gave me a list of a few hundred dollars worth of things that I "need." What do I REALLY need? Bare minimum. What supplies are in your pool chemistry cabinet? What is your routine? Hints and hacks welcome! Thanks in advance! if your tap water is cheap, just keep adding new water, use excess to water yard plants, no poison needed. |
| OU8122
User ID: 79553795 United States06/24/2021 10:01 AM  Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Step 2, they are going to tell you to get the alkalinity set before adjusting anything else. This is very true, get alkalinity (different than ph) right before anything else Step 3, once alkalinity is set, adjust your PH and chlorine levels. Add chlorine at sun down, when adding stabilizer don't backwash for 48 hours OU8122 |
| Fortunabeargirl
(OP) User ID: 78104067 United States06/24/2021 10:45 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | We got an above ground pool. Quoting: Fortunabeargirl It's up and running, but I am lost trying to figure out the chemicals. I've read and watched videos, but I can't make heads or tails of it. I went to the pool supply store and had my water tested. They gave me a list of a few hundred dollars worth of things that I "need." What do I REALLY need? Bare minimum. What supplies are in your pool chemistry cabinet? What is your routine? Hints and hacks welcome! Thanks in advance! if your tap water is cheap, just keep adding new water, use excess to water yard plants, no poison needed. I have well water, but my pool is deep. Something to think about for sure. Sometimes I feel like a nut. Sometimes I don't. ***Certified Thread Killah*** |
| Fortunabeargirl
(OP) User ID: 78104067 United States06/24/2021 10:46 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Step 1, take the water to your local pool place to be tested, just put a few ounces in a clean bottle Quoting: OU8122 Step 2, they are going to tell you to get the alkalinity set before adjusting anything else. This is very true, get alkalinity (different than ph) right before anything else Step 3, once alkalinity is set, adjust your PH and chlorine levels. Add chlorine at sun down, when adding stabilizer don't backwash for 48 hours How often does one backwash? Sometimes I feel like a nut. Sometimes I don't. ***Certified Thread Killah*** |
| OU8122
User ID: 79553795 United States06/24/2021 11:09 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Step 1, take the water to your local pool place to be tested, just put a few ounces in a clean bottle Quoting: OU8122 Step 2, they are going to tell you to get the alkalinity set before adjusting anything else. This is very true, get alkalinity (different than ph) right before anything else Step 3, once alkalinity is set, adjust your PH and chlorine levels. Add chlorine at sun down, when adding stabilizer don't backwash for 48 hours How often does one backwash? Not sure if it's different for an above ground but on my in ground I vacuum the floor once a week and backwash once the floor is swept. This assumes you have a sand filter hooked up to yours. If you do not have a sand filter it's probably moot point. Stabilizer keeps your chlorine from burning off to quickly, when you initially put it in your skimmer it's in a granual form so you want to give it 48 hours to break down and disperse in your water. If you backwash to soon after adding it the stabilizer gets taken out with the water you are emptying. Last Edited by OU8122 on 06/24/2021 11:11 AM OU8122 |
| Pres. Elect Festus Hoggbottom
User ID: 78382070 United States06/24/2021 12:12 PM  Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Step 1, take the water to your local pool place to be tested, just put a few ounces in a clean bottle Quoting: OU8122 Step 2, they are going to tell you to get the alkalinity set before adjusting anything else. This is very true, get alkalinity (different than ph) right before anything else Step 3, once alkalinity is set, adjust your PH and chlorine levels. Add chlorine at sun down, when adding stabilizer don't backwash for 48 hours How often does one backwash? Depends on how often you need to filter your water. If you keep it clean by vacuuming and it never turns green, maybe once every couple weeks. If you're battling green water (which you'll probably spend a LOT of time doing), it could be every other day. I did it. I did it on purpose. And I'll do it again. |
| Fortunabeargirl
(OP) User ID: 77989330 United States06/24/2021 12:17 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Step 1, take the water to your local pool place to be tested, just put a few ounces in a clean bottle Quoting: OU8122 Step 2, they are going to tell you to get the alkalinity set before adjusting anything else. This is very true, get alkalinity (different than ph) right before anything else Step 3, once alkalinity is set, adjust your PH and chlorine levels. Add chlorine at sun down, when adding stabilizer don't backwash for 48 hours How often does one backwash? Not sure if it's different for an above ground but on my in ground I vacuum the floor once a week and backwash once the floor is swept. This assumes you have a sand filter hooked up to yours. If you do not have a sand filter it's probably moot point. Stabilizer keeps your chlorine from burning off to quickly, when you initially put it in your skimmer it's in a granual form so you want to give it 48 hours to break down and disperse in your water. If you backwash to soon after adding it the stabilizer gets taken out with the water you are emptying. I do have a sand filter. ALL of that makes a lot of sense. Thank you! Last Edited by Fortunabeargirl on 06/24/2021 12:25 PM Sometimes I feel like a nut. Sometimes I don't. ***Certified Thread Killah*** |
| Fortunabeargirl
(OP) User ID: 77989330 United States06/24/2021 12:19 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Step 1, take the water to your local pool place to be tested, just put a few ounces in a clean bottle Quoting: OU8122 Step 2, they are going to tell you to get the alkalinity set before adjusting anything else. This is very true, get alkalinity (different than ph) right before anything else Step 3, once alkalinity is set, adjust your PH and chlorine levels. Add chlorine at sun down, when adding stabilizer don't backwash for 48 hours How often does one backwash? Depends on how often you need to filter your water. If you keep it clean by vacuuming and it never turns green, maybe once every couple weeks. If you're battling green water (which you'll probably spend a LOT of time doing), it could be every other day. Not yet, but God preserve me bc THIS is my worst nightmare.  Sometimes I feel like a nut. Sometimes I don't. ***Certified Thread Killah*** |
| Anonymous Coward User ID: 80458775 United States06/24/2021 12:20 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
| diverdan01
User ID: 39516942 United States06/24/2021 12:22 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
| Fortunabeargirl
(OP) User ID: 77989330 United States06/24/2021 12:31 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | that's pretty much the secret. Stabilizer fixes the chlorine. If there's no stabilizer, the chlorine evaporates out. Proper PH is required. Algeacide kills the algae. Great! Bc that's what I gleaned from it; up until I can check out the BBB method anyway. But the algae issue I haven't even begun to consider. I have Clorox Pool Algaecide and Clarifier, but have been so confused up until now that I haven't even looked at it or read the instructions. I feel MUCH more confident going fwd, thanks to you fine people. I should have just come here to begin with! Last Edited by Fortunabeargirl on 06/24/2021 12:50 PM Sometimes I feel like a nut. Sometimes I don't. ***Certified Thread Killah*** |
| Fortunabeargirl
(OP) User ID: 77989330 United States06/24/2021 12:31 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
| diverdan01
User ID: 39516942 United States06/24/2021 12:32 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | that's pretty much the secret. Stabilizer fixes the chlorine. If there's no stabilizer, the chlorine evaporates out. Proper PH is required. Algeacide kills the algae. Great! Bc that's what I gleaned from it. Up until I can check out the BBB method anyway, but the algae issue I haven't even begun to consider. I have Clorox Pool Algaecide and Clarifier, but have been so confused up until now that I haven't even looked at it or read the instructions. I feel MUCH more confident going fwd, thanks to you fine people. I should have just come here to begin with! clarifier simply glues smaller particles into bigger ones that can by trapped by the filter. |
| Fortunabeargirl
(OP) User ID: 77989330 United States06/24/2021 12:35 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | The manager at the pool store said that they were the same. I told him that I understood that Shock was a hyper dose of chlorine, but he said that I was wrong and that they were the same. This contradicted everything I had read about it. I left there confused about bc I thought he would know. Sometimes I feel like a nut. Sometimes I don't. ***Certified Thread Killah*** |
| Fortunabeargirl
(OP) User ID: 77989330 United States06/24/2021 12:36 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | that's pretty much the secret. Stabilizer fixes the chlorine. If there's no stabilizer, the chlorine evaporates out. Proper PH is required. Algeacide kills the algae. Great! Bc that's what I gleaned from it. Up until I can check out the BBB method anyway, but the algae issue I haven't even begun to consider. I have Clorox Pool Algaecide and Clarifier, but have been so confused up until now that I haven't even looked at it or read the instructions. I feel MUCH more confident going fwd, thanks to you fine people. I should have just come here to begin with! clarifier simply glues smaller particles into bigger ones that can by trapped by the filter. That's good to know! Sometimes I feel like a nut. Sometimes I don't. ***Certified Thread Killah*** |
| Stella Vanella
User ID: 80419401 United States06/25/2021 10:10 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Look into the BBB method. Bleach, baking soda, and borax. It works and it's the cheapest way to do it, but it's a neverending hassle. Lowest possible maintenance requires saltwater or mineral system. Pricey, but you'll spend that (plus countless headaches) on chemicals anyway. Quoting: Pres. Elect Festus Hoggbottom I used to wish I had a pool but maybe not so much anymore. It is a huge pain in the ass and so expensive (inground) with the higher electric bill and maintenance stuff. But the kids love it so much. Stella Vanella |
