Yeh, that's how they got us until we found out how wrong they were.
I knew I was Pool Stored when...
- Thread starter PoolStored
- Start date
Oh, well your problem is your optimizer is low, whatever that is. /sToday is the day I realized I was pool stored. I had a feeling after some initial readings on this forum but these photos were all the proof I needed. They told me my water was "perfect" when it's clearly not. I've been wanting to do lab work anyways, so I will do it myself from now on.
But seriously, the CYA/FC chart says you need a minimum of 5 ppm chlorine at your CYA level of 65. I guess they don't track that relationship.
Brian PacNW
Silver Supporter
I needed some liquid chlorine. Urgently. This was after a pool size upgrade and I wasn't anticipating quite how much I'd need, so I unexpectedly ran out.
My local pool store sold three 1-gallon 10% jugs in a pack for $65 or so. Oof. Okay, paid it because I needed it.
Urgently.
But after dosing and measuring, the product behaved more like 6%, not 10%. Then I look at the bottle and it was manufactured in May of 2022. It was/is early August 2023. Fifteen months old.
Brought it back for a fresher pack, thinking they had used older stock accidentally, but they only had liquid chlorine from that same palette. They didn't have anything fresher available.
They're selling 3 gallons of10% 6% liquid chlorine for $65 that is over a year old.
Nope. Never going in there again.
My local pool store sold three 1-gallon 10% jugs in a pack for $65 or so. Oof. Okay, paid it because I needed it.
Urgently.
But after dosing and measuring, the product behaved more like 6%, not 10%. Then I look at the bottle and it was manufactured in May of 2022. It was/is early August 2023. Fifteen months old.
Brought it back for a fresher pack, thinking they had used older stock accidentally, but they only had liquid chlorine from that same palette. They didn't have anything fresher available.
They're selling 3 gallons of
Nope. Never going in there again.
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They know what their problem was-trusting the pool $tore results! They have learned their lesson and are now on the right track.
I am in my second year in my new concrete pool. In my first year I was poolman/poolstored a little while. Even though I read a lot about pools before signing a deal with the contractor to build my pool I had zero experience in running a pool. So I decided to start with a poolman and observe what he is doing. He came weekly with a bunch of bottles (algecide, dichlor, flocculant, etc.) to be charged to me on top of his cleaning services. As the bills poured I decided to take matters in my own hands. Graduated from an engineering college I would hopefully understand and remember basic chemistry. I read everything I could find on the internet. At some point I encountered TFP. At the beginning I was very skeptical because I always cross reference everything in case someone is selling some BS. The problem TFP had was that their recommendations were quite lonely in the big pool of internet. It was more like a David vs Goliath situation. Noone actually suggested anything over 3ppm chlorine on the internet. Cyanuric acid was a boogyman that locks your pool.
But as I read more and more I saw more justifications of the guidelines of TFP discussed on the forum which is a good thing. At least there was huge encouragement on testing your pool yourself. Transparency is always a good thing. So I decided to apply most of the principles of TFP. There were some mismatches due to practices in Europe vs US but I am ironing those out myself. And my robot does the cleaning now so I don’t need anyone anymore. My chemical costs are so low now that family members stopped complaining about my decision of building a pool. Only if I could do a TFP on the electricity bill…
But as I read more and more I saw more justifications of the guidelines of TFP discussed on the forum which is a good thing. At least there was huge encouragement on testing your pool yourself. Transparency is always a good thing. So I decided to apply most of the principles of TFP. There were some mismatches due to practices in Europe vs US but I am ironing those out myself. And my robot does the cleaning now so I don’t need anyone anymore. My chemical costs are so low now that family members stopped complaining about my decision of building a pool. Only if I could do a TFP on the electricity bill…
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JoeSelf
Gold Supporter
My favorite question was: Is that what you do in your pool?
Answer was mostly: I don't have a pool.
Answer was mostly: I don't have a pool.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 13,996
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Yup - then “but, I sell people this all the time, its very popular! They come back for it every week!”
TFP from the start. Before even picking a pool builder, I was googling around to educate myself on pool maintenance. Thankfully, I found this wonderful resource. Yeah, I gotta say, the folks on here are amazing. What a great community.
Have I ever had issues? Yeah. But only slight. Tube in peristaltic chlorine pump broke. Few days at zero ppm chlorine. Started to see algae on the walls (barely). Very short SLAM later, it was gone. Switched to SWCG. Apparently, six years of liquid chlorine = 3500 ppm of salt. Didn't even add any before firing up the SWGC the first time. Second year of SWCG, grids caked with calcium buildup - my fault - started to see a little bit of algae again. Another short SLAM.
What I know is this. I only have to pay a little bit of attention to my pool about once a week, and everything is always in good shape. Get busy, ignore pool for a while, and things start to go south. I can't imagine how bad it could get if I ignored the pool for long. But, again, just a little bit of time, and things are good. Same thing goes for my lawn. Minimal but consistent and frequent effort urually means great results.
So, I've never really been Pool$tored. But, pool-related equipment and chemicals can get you if you aren't carful. Here's a recent story: Two-speed Relay for Pump - Cost and Other
Thank you to everyone that contributes here!
Have I ever had issues? Yeah. But only slight. Tube in peristaltic chlorine pump broke. Few days at zero ppm chlorine. Started to see algae on the walls (barely). Very short SLAM later, it was gone. Switched to SWCG. Apparently, six years of liquid chlorine = 3500 ppm of salt. Didn't even add any before firing up the SWGC the first time. Second year of SWCG, grids caked with calcium buildup - my fault - started to see a little bit of algae again. Another short SLAM.
What I know is this. I only have to pay a little bit of attention to my pool about once a week, and everything is always in good shape. Get busy, ignore pool for a while, and things start to go south. I can't imagine how bad it could get if I ignored the pool for long. But, again, just a little bit of time, and things are good. Same thing goes for my lawn. Minimal but consistent and frequent effort urually means great results.
So, I've never really been Pool$tored. But, pool-related equipment and chemicals can get you if you aren't carful. Here's a recent story: Two-speed Relay for Pump - Cost and Other
Thank you to everyone that contributes here!
A few years ago, my uncle had passed away and I was now in charge of his pool. I walked into the pool store that he used and asked them for a water test. I didn't know anything about pool chemistry. pH was 7.6. They instructed me to add 2.2 gallons of muriatic acid to a 14,000 gallon pool, so I did. Next day the pH was 7 and they asked how much I added. I showed them the paperwork and they said, "We usually cross that off...You shouldn't have done that."
Shortly after that I found TFP and started educating myself on the right way. I only go to the local store if I absolutely have to now.
Shortly after that I found TFP and started educating myself on the right way. I only go to the local store if I absolutely have to now.
- Sep 23, 2015
- 1,609
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Astral Viron V25
Ask them how CyA works? How does it protect FC from UV destruction?
I bet you’d get a blank stare, like a program loading on dialup…
- Mar 5, 2020
- 3,178
- Pool Size
- 66000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Astral Viron V35
It works like sun screen for pool water. Duh, everyone knows that.
I thought CYA was when you made sure you had all your pool receipts so you can Cover Your A** in case of a problem....
- Mar 5, 2020
- 3,178
- Pool Size
- 66000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Astral Viron V35
I would have preferred
as a reaction to your post, but had to take the wow reaction as close enough...
- Mar 5, 2020
- 3,178
- Pool Size
- 66000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Astral Viron V35
And should they actually come up with the right answer, you follow up with "And can the chlorine that is bound to CYA still kill bacteria and algae?".
Dialup eventually loads the proper result, unlike their response.
They're 'blue screen of death' :
Turbo1Ton
Gold Supporter
- Dec 26, 2019
- 1,842
- Pool Size
- 14500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Dialup eventually loads the proper result, unlike their response.
They're 'blue screen of death' :
View attachment 526462
Thanks to The Simpsons, this is all I can think of any time I hear or see the phrase 'press any key'.
--Jeff
- Sep 23, 2015
- 1,609
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Astral Viron V25
Say it enough and it eventually becomes their reality. Sad but true.
I‘ve secretly held the thought that they think CyA floats around holding up little cocktail umbrellas.
It's hard to believe I have been a TFP member now, going on my 8th year. I have always been a DIY homeowner, but as a new pool owner, pool care was new to me. So, before I found TFP and learned to SLAM, yes, I to was "Pool Stored". Lol.
The first year, I think I spent over $1000 easily on chemicals. The pool store could see me coming.... Take a water sample in, load up on crud that I didn't need, nor understand what it did. Go home and add it per the directions. All this gave limited results. Most pool store associates do not even own a pool I found out. And many national chain stores provide only limited training, and a program to show sales associates how to sell (scam imho) customers.
Once I got my TFP test kit, and App, learned how to balance pool water, clean properly and understand what is what, then life got easy. I stopped going to pool stores, except for off season to buy discounted chemicals in bulk. I recently just picked up shock in a 25 lb bucket, and had not been in that pool store in over 3 years.
My son now runs his own pool cleaning business each Summer. And ethically, I might add. Some kids cut grass. He cleans and balances pools local to our community. Each Summer he tries to work himself out of the job by showing the pool owners how to take care of their pool. He shows them TFP and explain things. They just keep asking him back and giving referrals. So, honesty does pay, as does his hard work.
The funniest story I can recall is one April, I went in a pool store to price chemicals. (I did not have even have a water sample) This was about a year after joining TFP and learning proper pool care. Unsolicited, the sales associate asked me how my pool looked. I stated that it I needed to open it and it could look better. They stated I should purchase Liquid Stabilizer (cya). Jokingly, I asked "how much?" They stated, based on my pool size, i needed at least several cases - AT $42 per gallon, I might add.
You can't make this stuff up. Lol. At this point, I had had enough. I was polite, but I pointedly asked : "Why should I add Liquid Stabilizer when my pool is not even holding chlorine? In fact, I have not even opened it yet". A discussion ensued. I was firm but pointed, and called them out on several other issues, and the ethics, or lack of. The manager just shrugged his shoulders. That was in the Spring on 2018. I have been back in only twice since then for items that were on sale, or I could not find in season at the big orange hardware store. One visit was due a supply chain issue, and I could not find some chemicals at the hardware store after Covid.
All good here. And thank you to TFP and this community for solid pool care information.
Best Regards to All.
The first year, I think I spent over $1000 easily on chemicals. The pool store could see me coming.... Take a water sample in, load up on crud that I didn't need, nor understand what it did. Go home and add it per the directions. All this gave limited results. Most pool store associates do not even own a pool I found out. And many national chain stores provide only limited training, and a program to show sales associates how to sell (scam imho) customers.
Once I got my TFP test kit, and App, learned how to balance pool water, clean properly and understand what is what, then life got easy. I stopped going to pool stores, except for off season to buy discounted chemicals in bulk. I recently just picked up shock in a 25 lb bucket, and had not been in that pool store in over 3 years.
My son now runs his own pool cleaning business each Summer. And ethically, I might add. Some kids cut grass. He cleans and balances pools local to our community. Each Summer he tries to work himself out of the job by showing the pool owners how to take care of their pool. He shows them TFP and explain things. They just keep asking him back and giving referrals. So, honesty does pay, as does his hard work.
The funniest story I can recall is one April, I went in a pool store to price chemicals. (I did not have even have a water sample) This was about a year after joining TFP and learning proper pool care. Unsolicited, the sales associate asked me how my pool looked. I stated that it I needed to open it and it could look better. They stated I should purchase Liquid Stabilizer (cya). Jokingly, I asked "how much?" They stated, based on my pool size, i needed at least several cases - AT $42 per gallon, I might add.
You can't make this stuff up. Lol. At this point, I had had enough. I was polite, but I pointedly asked : "Why should I add Liquid Stabilizer when my pool is not even holding chlorine? In fact, I have not even opened it yet". A discussion ensued. I was firm but pointed, and called them out on several other issues, and the ethics, or lack of. The manager just shrugged his shoulders. That was in the Spring on 2018. I have been back in only twice since then for items that were on sale, or I could not find in season at the big orange hardware store. One visit was due a supply chain issue, and I could not find some chemicals at the hardware store after Covid.
All good here. And thank you to TFP and this community for solid pool care information.
Best Regards to All.
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I went into my pool store to get a plumbing part. (I'm in the beginning phases of reworking all the nonsense that is the plumbing for my pump and filter.) I needed one end of a union that seems to be somewhat specific to pool stuff. At least, neither of the hardware stores in my small town had something, so I figured that was my best bet besides running all over the larger town.
They did have what I needed, in what appeared to be maybe a used part that they charged me $10 for. But it'll do. While the guy was looking around for it, I perused all the chemicals and was thankful at my finding TFP.
I always feel a little bad going in there, because I now have all these preconceived notions about them and what they sell.
They did have what I needed, in what appeared to be maybe a used part that they charged me $10 for. But it'll do. While the guy was looking around for it, I perused all the chemicals and was thankful at my finding TFP.
I always feel a little bad going in there, because I now have all these preconceived notions about them and what they sell.