'tis the season for pool openings here in the North East. How's your pool doing? I have come to the conclusion that most people who have pools eventually become their own chemist and have done some questionable things to solve problems.
I opened my above ground pool last Sunday. I have had it for 5 years and this is the first time it was ugly when I opened it. The cover was old and had holes in it. I think that was the problem. It let debris and dirty water go under the cover which caused there to be a lot of dirt and stuff in the water and for it to be very cloudy on the verge of going green.
I shocked it and filtered it all week long. The water is clearing up. My vacuum head broke so I have a new one coming tomorrow so I can do another good job vacuuming.
I need to get my PH up. I ran out of PH rise :banghead: From what I have heard it is not the chlorine that burns your eyes it is low PH.....do you agree? What do you test your water for? I regularly test chlorine and PH and when I go to the pool store they test for everything and I usually need to adjust the alkalinity. Do you test alkalinity at home? When I add chemicals I know it says so many pounds to add to raise so much for this much water......do you do that? I am at the point where I just dump some of the chemicals in and retest and add some more if needed.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
You water needs to be buffered otherwise you will have to constantly add PH+ and it won't hold. Buffering the water, reduces the amount of chlorine evaporation and helps keep the PH set once you get there.
Don't guess here, take a water sample to a pool store and let them test. Total Alkalinity is also very important, otherwise you will be chasing PH constantly.
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Buffering.....solar cover? It's on. I know not having the solar cover on you will constantly be adding chlorine.
As for testing the water, I do test the water and add chemicals as needed. It's just I don't calculate the pounds or ounces of the chemical to add. I just add a little and check again and add more if needed. I remember my Dad using a 1# coffee can for the chemicals but that's a pound of coffee, not a pound of whatever chemical. I'm not dragging the bathroom scale out to measure the chemicals so that is why I use the add a little, retest, add some more method.
I want to test for alkalinity but the kit is either just PH and Chlorine or the rocket scientist kit.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
I have my PH and Chlorine levels good. The water was 72 this morning and I'm draining my hot tub into it as we speak. 300 gallons of 102 degree water. Last time I drained the hot tub into it the temperature it raised it from 62 up to 68!!! Of course I'm going to have to readjust my chemicals again when I get home but for warmer water I'll take it. I'm just about ready to jump in this weekend. I can't wait.
I wonder what my electric bill will be this month after changing the hot tub water multiple times. I may not be so quick to warm up the water next year.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
I would not have solar cover on until the chemicals are good. You get residue (chemical and the stuff you are trying to get rid of) on it. Clean it good, get it dry, fold it up. When the chemical combo is right, put it back on.
I second taking your water to a pool place to get it tested. It's faster than monkeying around on your own.
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