Pool Care

Once A Week

Brush sides of pool.
Vacuum the rocks.
Test Water.
Check Ecomatic for calcium buildup, including the sensor screw. The sooner it is cleaned, the better.

Pump schedule

The pump should be run about 7 hours a day during the winter, during the off peak utility hours. (10pm--5am)

During the summer, the pump needs to run about 9 hours which can be split up into two sessions to stay in the off peak utility hours. (10pm--7am, 11:30am--1pm) or 1 hour per 10 degrees (110 degrees == 11 hours)

Back Wash

The pool should be back washed every other month during the winter, and every month during the summer.

Set the Jandy valve to all Skimmer (turn off Vacuum).
Turn off Pump.
Run the hose out to the river rocks in front.
Turn the filter handle to ``open,'' pull up on handle.
Turn on the Pump, let water run out the hose until the water is clear.
Turn off pump, close handle, twist to ``lock.''
Turn the filter handle to ``open,'' pull up on handle.
Turn on the Pump, let water run out the hose until the water is clear.
Turn off pump, close handle, twist to ``lock.''
Turn pump back on.
Put on mask, pour the DE into the skimmer basket next to the pool.
Turn the Jandy valve back to 3/4 Vacuum and 1/4 Skimmer.
Add 25 lbs. of salt to the pool.
Let the Pump run for at least 3 hours.

Ecomatic

Clean out the basket first.
In the jug, mix about 3/4 water and 1/4 acid.
The jug can be re-used for about 4--6 months.
Dip in the acid, don't soak it for very long.
Use a toothbrush or other soft brush to brush off the ecomatic cell.
If chunks get stuck in the mesh, you can use the garden hose to flush them out.
Check the screw sensor for calcium buildup.
After it is all back together and you turn the pump on, bleed air off the top of the filter.

the guage should read 80--84 in the winter, 98--102 in the summer.
The salt level should read about 4000 ppm.
Colder water makes the ecomatic temperamental.
The ecomatic will shut off automatically if levels are too low, or if there is no work for it to do.
In April, switch from winter mode to regular mode.
Check the ecomatic once a week; if there is any calcium buildup, clean it.
have water tested ... Cineric acid

Testing the Water

Salinity level should be 3000 ppm.
The Total Alkilinity (T.A.) measurement should be performed in the large vial.
Shake the vial after you add each drop, and count the drops.
Throw the chemicals used to test with into the rocks when finished, not in the pool.

If Total Alkilinity is low, add Sodium Bicarbonate.
If Total Alkilinity is high, add 1 quart acid, dumped in one spot.
If pH is low, add soda ash: if pH is above 7.2, add 1 or 2 lbs. of soda ash. If pH is less than 7.2, add higher levels of soda ash.
If pH is high, add 1 quart of acid, walk along the pool as you pour it in.

Schedule:
2003, May 29: backwash.
2003, july 23: annual filter cleaning.
2004, January 10: backwash.
2004, March 5: backwash.
2004, april 21: backwash.
2004, may 3: backwash.
2004, August 15: yearly filter cleaning. Pressure at 19
2004, October 3: Pressure at 21
2004, October 24: Pressure at 21. creepy seems slow.
2004, November 25: Pressure at 23. creepy seems slow.
2005, January 5: backwash. pressure at 21
2005, February 19: backwash. pressure at 22
2005, February 25: salt level at 7.8 (too high)
2005, April 9: lowered salt level to 7.4 (too high)
2005, April 9: yearly filter cleaning
2005, April 30: backwash. pressure at 21
2005, May 23: yearly cleaning, took filter completely apart.
2005, June 29: backwash. pressure at 21.5