(Part 2) Best products from r/swimmingpools

If you cant stand it turn pool pump off and drop this in the water. The debris floating will eventually get filtered out but this stuff works quick to dissapate off the surface for instant gratification. Works best on pollen.

https://www.amazon.com/Jacks-Magic-JMSURFACE02-Surface/dp/B002ZJ1KXU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adgrpid=67435490786&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9fntBRCGARIsAGjFq5HHePkQ_wjsgnAjQUVhVzYDVdDIMnM54dSXvwUxfGcFtP6zWBzvwd8aApMpEALw_wcB&hvadid=337853704940&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9011108&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11507065600879403384&hvtargid=kwd-368187027014&hydadcr=4092_9616096&keywords=jack%27s+magic+surface+magic&qid=1572838246&sr=8-1

I've got one of these and like it. We call him Scooby, & he does a good job cleaning up if you just let him hop around for a while. It also recommend getting the leaf canister when you purchase - saves you from having to clean out your filter as often.

thanks! a wax like this would help? https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-M-6316-Flagship-Premium-Marine/dp/B0000AY60S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499267496&sr=8-1&keywords=gel+coat+wax
thanks!

As others have said, you will likely surpass the current ratings for a typical relay by switching the 12V (secondary) side. I disagree on the point that 20A is usually the limit... More often it's 10A for a resistive load. You would probably melt those relays pretty quickly if you were switching anything more than 100W of lights. Maybe you could stretch it to 120W if the lights are close by (short wires with low impedance).

If I were you, I would buy a bunch of cheap doorbell transformers (how ever many you need, one each per switched circuit) and then switch the primary (120V AC) side with individual relays. This will ultimately be more cost effective. If you use the right parts, it will be much simpler and have a smaller footprint than what your electrician is suggesting...

Cram all the relays and transformers in to a NEMA 3R/3X rated box like this one. You should also provide branch rated circuit protection in the box (circuit breaker) sized appropriately for the transformers and the conductors feeding the xformers' primary side. The nice thing about the box I linked to is it comes with DIN rail so you can use snap-on industrial type circuit breakers, relays and terminal blocks.

Mount the box next to your pool control cabinet. Wire one 120V AC circuit and ground conductor, ideally from a spare breaker in the power panel that feeds your pool equipment. Wire each of the relay coils to the spare outputs of your pool controller.

You should be able to scrounge this together for $250 or less, depending on how many xformers and relays you need

Edit: I retract my suggestion on using doorbell transformers... Don't do that. Apparently they are only rated for 30 to 40VA usually. You need something bigger. These might work for you and are a lot cheaper than the quoted $450 ea. I maintain that you should switch the 120V side of the transformers and cram all the relays in to a box like the one I linked to above

That’s a pretty big area, but you outlined it well. It likely just needs cleaned up plaster patch. I’ve used the product on Amazon called Pool Patch. The trick I think is going to be to clean up the edge so that the patch isn’t starting out thin and getting thicker.

EDIT: Should not have damaged anything by running without DE.
Annually for DE Filters you should pull them out and wash the grids
things in degreaser to improve efficiency.

Example:
https://www.amazon.com/Hayward-Pro-Grid-Micro-Filter-Replacement/dp/B002PN88YA


You should have a big valve to back flush.

Valve in one position for normal running.
Turn Pump Off
Manually move valve to "back flush" position until discharge is clear.
Turn Pump Off
Move Valve back to normal position.

MIX DE into a slurry, slowly pour a little at time into the filter basket.

POST UP PHOTO's of pool.

We all learned this some how, so nothing to be embarrassed about.

We bought this one last year and I still praise it. I love the little guy, scrubs, vacuums, etc.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

LaMotte 2056 ColorQ Pro 7 Digital Pool Water Test Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002WKK71S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zZyIDbTAA98EV

I’m a first time pool owner and currently have a pool guy to maintain it over these first few months but will eventually be taken it over myself. I’ve read good things about it but ultimately I’m debating between that and the Taylor 2006c. On paper I like the LaMotte because I don’t want to sit there and match colors to a chart.

I ordered this one off amazon this time last year:

VINGLI Aluminum Solar Swimming Inground Pool Cover Reel Set, Up to 18-Feet Wide x 40-Feet Length https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MDLU2GG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ji0nDbESGKB8Z

Has worked great so far. It was a bit of a pain to put together, but has held together well. Even the straps all stick still, even after falling into the pool during high winds! It’s easy to wind up as long as you do it slowly so it rolls evenly. Keeps the pool much warmer and noticeably stops evaporation.

http://www.amazon.com/Hayward-CX900G-Replacement-Cartridge-Separation/dp/B004UHF9XW/ref=br_lf_m_7d3t39c5jwce6zb_1_2_ttl?ie=UTF8&s=lawn-garden

http://www.amazon.com/Aladdin-27501-8-Hayward-C-1750-Cartridge/dp/B00DCLTPXC/ref=br_lf_m_7d3t39c5jwce6zb_1_6_ttl?ie=UTF8&s=lawn-garden

Buy these 2 things. Ensure that is the correct element. Take a picture of the data plate into your local pool store and tell them you need a replacement element (actual filter) and a locking knob.
Actually, you should buy 2 elements as that filter system is undersized for that amount of volume. Keep one clean and DEGREASED at all times, swap them when the filter pressure rises by ~15 psi and DEGREASE it overnight before using again.

Here is how to proper clean and DEGREASE a cartridge filter. it is not clean until it is DEGREASED!! Note step #4, it is the most important.

http://www.unicelfilters.com/retailers/ci_chlorine_users.asp

If you wish to do this: Turn off the pump then. Add 5 gallons liquid pool bleach then use a Red Baron deep net on a pole to get out most of the leaf and branch debris. If you don't have one, get a twist locking pool pole. Next, after you pull out as much as possible, use a flocculant for a day. This is a chemical that settles out organic in solution into a soft cloud of silt on the bottom of the pool.
Vac to waste this soft silt cloud. Go SLOW. It will break up and go back into solution if you jab at it with any pool tool.
Next, when the pool is translucent, start off with a clean filter and run the pool. Bring the sanitizer / chlorine / baquacide up to normal levels. Ph is very important now.
https://www.amazon.com/Purity-Pool-RBTD-20-Inch-Professional/dp/B004VLB526

Awesome, thanks.

And unsurprisingly enough, the technical name of the red rope is "Above Ground Pool Cover Cable".

While this isn't exactly what you are looking for, I did just pickup a set of these and they sound fantastic and the battery life so far is really good.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0106HXV52/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They have a slot for mounting so you could mount them to any post and put a solar cap on the post.

I bought a submersible water pump for 50$ off of Amazon. It worked great. If you zip tie the float to the top of the pump it will drain it down to an inch or two at the very bottom of the pool.

https://www.amazon.com/Yescom-2112GPH-Submersible-Swimming-Transfer/dp/B017TWVTBK/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_2?keywords=Yescom+1%2F2+HP+2112GPH&qid=1555349175&s=gateway&sr=8-2-fkmrnull

This is the salt tester I use it works great and is very accurate: https://www.amazon.com/Hayward-GLX-SALTMETER-Digital-Handheld-Meter/dp/B005IVZKKQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1475185291&sr=8-1&keywords=hayward+salt+tester

If I had the time I would always use the test kit for Salt which you can find here: https://www.amazon.com/TAYLOR-TECHNOLOGIES-INC-K-1766-CHLORIDE/dp/B001DO35EU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1475185345&sr=8-1&keywords=salt+test+kit

Also, if you are using strips you might want to consider going towards an actual test kit that is reliable such as this: https://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Technologies-K-2005-Test-Complete/dp/B00HEAQO5O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1475185320&sr=8-3&keywords=taylor+test+kit+salt

The cheapest option would be to purchase the test kit for salt and continue using the strips. I recommend no strips and using the salt test kit and a normal Taylor test kit.

This is the most purchased one on amazon. Anyone have it? Reccomend it?