Test Kits

[tollgate]

My pool was completed on 31st December last year. For the next three months my pool was looked after by a "pool guy" and this was included in the pool price. Since April I have been doing my own pool maintenance.

I have a question about test kits. Up until now I have been using a dropper kit and this was giving me pH 7.2 and Total Chlorine of 3.0. I recently purchased an Aquachek strip test kit and it gives me pH7 and free chlorine of 1.0.

So which is more reliable?

The Aquachek kit also tests for total alkalinity and stabiliser which is quite handy.

[curtklay]

The Aquacheck strips are good as long as you can compare the colors to the standards accurately. It takes a little getting used to. The alkalinity test is crucial. Also keep in mind that total chlorine and free chlorine may not be the same. When the total chlorine is higher than than the free chlorine, you are due for shocking or super chlorinating.

[tollgate]

Thanks for your comment on test kits. Now shocking was going to be one of my next questions. When I took over maintenance of my pool I did quite a bit of research on the subject. Shocking was mentioned a lot with different web sites suggesting a shock once a week, once a month or just "when needed"

I asked the guy who constucted my pool. He said "no need to shock". So my pool hadn't been shocked for almost 5 months. But over the last few days my free chlorine has fallen to around 0.2ppm and I haven't been able to raise it much. I use chlorine tablets in a floater. Usually one is enough, but I now have three in there and I'm still struggling with free chlorine.

Today I purchased some sodium hydrochloride liquid and have shocked the pool with 6 litres which I think will be enough (my pool is approx 43000 litres). I guess tomorrow morning I will find out if it has worked.

I would be interested to hear other pool owners comments on shocking.

[curtklay]

Shocking should be done every week or two. 6 liters of liquid chlorine should do it. Whenever your total chlorine reads higher than free chlorine, you are due for shocking. When the chlorine levels come back down to normal levels, check your PH and alkalinity. Adjust if needed doing alkalinity first. When you raise alkalinity, odds are the PH will rise with it. Use sodium bicarb to raise alkalinity. Use soda ash to raise PH.

Normal maintenance consists of regular shocks, and alkalinity increases at least once a month.

[tollgate]

Well shocking the pool certainly had the desired effect and my free Chlorine is now 3ppm - if anything a little on the high side. I've closed some of the slats on my floater to help it drop a bit.

My pool only has light usage - probably about 7 man hours per week. But it's an outdoor pool so the water is always warm - around 30C. I think I will shock every couple of weeks. pH is 7.2 and alkalinity 50 ppm. Do you think I need to raise the alkalinity?

[curtklay]

Yes, your alkalinity should be 80-100ppm. For your size pool, add about 8 pounds of sodium bicarb

(baking soda) sprinkled around the pool. This should also nudge your PH up to the ideal range of 7.4 to 7.6. Check weekly, and keep it up there. It tends to drop naturally, and if you add acid to the pool to lower the PH, alkalinity will drop with it. It can get to be a roller coaster when things get out of balance.

Your shock treatment worked fine. The chlorine level will drop when the liquid chlorine burns off. Keep your floater adjusted to maintain 1.5ppm. Also remember that chlorine tablets are acidic, and will cause your alkalinity to drop. The upside is they usually keep the PH in the ideal range.

My advice is check and adjust alkalinity weekly. Shock every other week. Conditioner and hardness really only need to check once or twice a year. Enjoy your pool!

P.S. I worked in the pool industry in California for 25 years.

[tollgate]

Thanks for those comments Curtklay. I think I am getting the hang of this now.

[n210mp]

Hello

And thanks for the topic.

Just moved into a house with a pool and loving it, we have a man who comes three times a week to take care of the pool but becasue I have too much time on my hands now I am retired, I feel I could do this myself and also save some money.

I have three questions;

Since beginning to use the pool for no more than three times a day, total time in the water no more than say 25 minutes, I have felt a sort of tingling sensation on my skin, like a little burning, could this be caused by an imbalance in the water?

Does anyone know of either a very basic layman's manual on looking after a pool or some one who could give on-site instructions.

Where in Pattaya can I buy all of the chemicals and test kits that I would need if doing it myself.

Thank you very much for any advice

[tollgate]

It may well be that your water it too acidic - have you tested the pH?

As posted above, I have been looking after my pool since the end of March this year, so I'm no expert and still learning. But here's what I do:

1. Everyday or two, clean the tiles around the water line. This stops the build up of that black scum line. If you leave it to build up it becomes quite difficult to remove. It takes just a few minutes in my 8 x 4m pool. I use one of those green scourers with the plastic handle.

2. Everyday remove leaves and other debris with the net.

3. Twice a week test the pH and Chlorine levels.

4. Once or twice a week vacuum, or just do it when it looks necessary. At the same time empty the skimmer basket if you have one.

5. Every two weeks, shock the pool as posted above.

6. Backwash - not too sure how often to do this. The pressure on my filter has never risen to the "backwash now" level, so I have just backwashed when the water level in the pool has risen over the skimmer. I would guess it's a good idea to backwash once a month. Also, clean the pump strainer.

7. Run the pump long enough to turn over the water twice per day. I run mine in two sessions, morning and afternoon.

Pool supplies shop in Pattaya - I'm looking for a new one too as my local shop has closed.

[n210mp]

Thanks for that Tollgate,

I had a word with the chap who takes care of the pool and He tested it in front of me and said it was OK,

The pool is 10 x 5 and 5 foot at the deepest end going down to a couple of feet at the shallow end, it looks perfectly OK with sparkling water and clarity.

The pump used to run 6 hours in the morning and 6 hours in the evening but I have cut that down to 4 and 4 because there is only myself and my wife using it for about 20 minutes most days..

The chap who takes care of the pool comes three times a week and charges 1500 Baht a month for his services. plus any chemicals needed.

[Anthony8100]

Yes, your alkalinity should be 80-100ppm. For your size pool, add about 8 pounds of sodium bicarb

(baking soda) sprinkled around the pool. This should also nudge your PH up to the ideal range of 7.4 to 7.6. Check weekly, and keep it up there. It tends to drop naturally, and if you add acid to the pool to lower the PH, alkalinity will drop with it. It can get to be a roller coaster when things get out of balance.

Your shock treatment worked fine. The chlorine level will drop when the liquid chlorine burns off. Keep your floater adjusted to maintain 1.5ppm. Also remember that chlorine tablets are acidic, and will cause your alkalinity to drop. The upside is they usually keep the PH in the ideal range.

My advice is check and adjust alkalinity weekly. Shock every other week. Conditioner and hardness really only need to check once or twice a year. Enjoy your pool!

P.S. I worked in the pool industry in California for 25 years.

I'm totally agree with you.You'r 100% good here that this should also nudge your PH up to the ideal range of 7.4 to 7.6. Check weekly and keep it up there.It tends to drop naturally and if you add acid to the pool to lower the PH,alkalinity will drop with it.

[Anthony8100]

Yes, your alkalinity should be 80-100ppm. For your size pool, add about 8 pounds of sodium bicarb

(baking soda) sprinkled around the pool. This should also nudge your PH up to the ideal range of 7.4 to 7.6. Check weekly, and keep it up there. It tends to drop naturally, and if you add acid to the pool to lower the PH, alkalinity will drop with it. It can get to be a roller coaster when things get out of balance.

Your shock treatment worked fine. The chlorine level will drop when the liquid chlorine burns off. Keep your floater adjusted to maintain 1.5ppm. Also remember that chlorine tablets are acidic, and will cause your alkalinity to drop. The upside is they usually keep the PH in the ideal range.

My advice is check and adjust alkalinity weekly. Shock every other week. Conditioner and hardness really only need to check once or twice a year. Enjoy your pool!

P.S. I worked in the pool industry in California for 25 years.

I'm totally agree with you.You'r 100% good here that this should also nudge your PH up to the ideal range of 7.4 to 7.6. Check weekly and keep it up there.It tends to drop naturally and if you add acid to the pool to lower the PH,alkalinity will drop with it.

above ground pools

[SantiSuk]

The pool shop in Thepprasit Road - about 200-400 meters from the Jomtien traffic lights end on the south side had an excellent range of chemicals and accessories when I visited a year ago. I hope it is not that shop that you refer to as having closed.

Curtklay - you need to visit a particular pool shop in Bangkok if you want to have a laugh (or possibly accept an alternative Thai view). I'll post about it on a thread about Bankok pool shops now.