PoolManPete

kudos! this is the method I like. never need to shock or use an algaecide. however someone told me that I should be keeping my chlorine below a certain amount as this is law. Is there a law that prohibits maintaining a pools chlorine level above a certain amount? Thanks. As far as I know of, there is no "law" governing the use of chlorine levels in a pool. This is something you would have to check in your particular area, however, I also don't know why anyone would want an abnormally high concentration of chlorine as this does just as much damage to your pool surface as having too little sanitizer with an algae infestation. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_chlo...n_swimming_pool amount of FC needed to sanitize and keep algae away is calculated from a % of the CYA. If CYA is high then more FC is required. However from what I've gathered if an algaecide is used less FC is needed. Only problem with that is copper build up and possible staining. Might as well go with an mineral ion solution one time (chlorine free). Just best make sure you have a really accurate copper test kit and keep pH on the lower side. Thats only if you used a copper based algecide. Copper sulfate is used as an algaecide in the treatment of surface waters such as reservoirs, lakes and ponds. It should not be used in swimming pools At the pH of a typical swimming pool and in the presence of chlorine or other oxidizing agents, copper (from copper sulfate, natural sources or corrosion of heaters) can and will cause staining and discoloration of pool surfaces and hair. Of course there are people that use it in pools and have no problems. But why risk when there are other better products.

I would go with a 1HP WhisperFlo. I think they are of better quality then Hayward and last longer without the need of changing out the USseals or other gaskets. Plus a 1HP whisperflo has the power and flow rating of a 1.5 HP Hayward without the price of a 1.5 HP. If you are willing to spend a little bit more, look into the Intelliflo. Its a variable speed pump were you can manually change the desired speeds via a control pad on top of the motor.

If you are a novice to pools, stay away from DE filtration systems. They are huge pain in the butt if you don't know what you are doing. Add to much DE, pool is cloudy. Add too little and it doesn't filter properly and you risk ruining the grids inside. Forget to add DE after backwashing....etc etc. Cartridge are easier to maintain but require cleaning. Stick with a TR-60 or TR-100 Sand filter and use Zeolite (ZeoSand) media inside the filter as opposed to sand and pea gravel. It costs a little more but I love it. It has the filtration quality of DE (2-5 microns) with the ease of a sand filter. Once the pressure gets to a certain point, you backwash the tank. No need of unscrewing, pulling out grids hosing down etc. As far as pump, do not go with Hayward, very unreliable and temperamental. Go with Whispeflo.

What kind of filter system do you have now? Your filter tank may be sufficient but you have a weak pump thus not providing proper circulation and/or turnover rate. Size of pump depends on what kind of filter tank you have and how far your pump is from the pool. Feet of head is important in determining size of pump. If possible, stay away from Hayward pump. Through my experiences, they have been very unreliable. Whisper flos are the way to go.

It will only mess up your pool if you over do it. I'm assuming that this is an outdoor pool? What Phosfree does is it kills the phosphates which is the food for algae. The basic thinking is, you kill the food then you minimize the risk of growing algae. If you keep your cl2 levels and PH levels where they are supposed to be then you don't need Phosfree. An outdoor pool will always have phosphates in it, from leaves, grass, rain and whatnot. I only like to use Phosfree when I winterize the pool.