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    Newbie pool owner with massive algae left from previous owner

    Not sure where you found that app but the recommendations listed are very wrong. Download the correct Pool Math app from this link https://www.troublefreepool.com/blog/poolmath/
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    FC, PH and how often to add acid

    There is no practical difference between an FC of 5 or 6. Just another reason not to live close to the minimum FC levels. The key is to be consistent with your personal testing procedures.
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    FC, PH and how often to add acid

    Texas summers are no joke. Not uncommon to have weeks of 100+ degree weather. My pool can easily lose 4.5 ppm of FC per day. In summers, I try to maintain at least 8 FC with CYA of 80. Trying to target 6 is too close to the danger zone IMO and there is no discernible advantage to doing so...
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    Do you SLAM as soon as you have some algae?

    I’ve never had algae. I imagine I would SLAM immediately if I ever did. Algae is not inviting for me to swim at all 🤢
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    Do i need to add Calcium and Salt when opening on a new SWG

    Pool math does not really tell you to do anything. Pool math calculates the quantity of chemicals to reach a specific target parameter. Maybe the default target makes sense for your pool, maybe not. Post a full set of test results and someone will give you specific advice.
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    Can we get a trouble free pool? I say, Yes, only with all y’alls help, that is!

    I would rather use all Hayward equipment and automation. The Hayward Omnilogic they quoted is a good system. It has served me well, at least. I definitely would not mix equipment from different manufacturers in a new build. Building a pool without a SWG in Texas is a bad idea. I would get...
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    Concrete or fiberglass pool in Katy, Tx

    Personally, I would rather not own a pool than have a pool without a SWG. Some people are ok purchasing, transporting, and manually adding 0.5-1 gallons of liquid chlorine daily during swim season, I am not. Some people are ok with spending hundreds of dollars on unnecessary chemicals, plus...
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    New Build in SETX

    Welcome! The summer heat here is no joke. I would prioritize installing a salt water chlorine generator (SWG) before summer begins. If you choose to manually add chlorine- your pool will likely need at least about 0.6 gallons of liquid chlorine daily in the peak of summer. One gallon at...
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    Concrete or fiberglass pool in Katy, Tx

    I’m aware of dozens of pools in the area online and in person. None of them are FG. On my block 6 of 6 pools are concrete/gunite. Houston has very expansive soils. I suspect this is a reason FG is not popular. No idea if that concern is warranted, as I never considered FG. Concrete pools need...
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    Builder forgot to connect the overflow drain

    So… how is the PB planning to fix their mistake??
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    Finalizing Grecian pool design - Houston TX

    I found my awesome PB via neighborhood Facebook group and Google reviews (100% 5 star). They mostly service the Katy & Cypress areas. I would not consider BBB a great resource to find a good builder, although it may help eliminate builders to consider.
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    Thinking about firing PB but not sure how to complete project

    You signed a contract, one that likely favors the builder. It’s not going to be easy to break. Have they breached the contract? Failed inspection is not good enough, assuming they fix the issue. It’s not the builders fault you signed a contract without having your questions answered. It’s...
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    Too cold for shotcrete?

    Great that you were able to talk to the engineer who designed your pool. What is their opinion on the cracks? If they are not concerned then I wouldn’t get too worked up over it. You did pay for their expertise after all. Are they local and willing to see you pool in person? If so, their fee...
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    Plumbing Trench Collapse Before Backfill

    There is a discrepancy in 28-day compressive strength (f'c) between the contract (4,500 psi) and Structural note #5 (2,500 psi). I think it's very safe to assume that the 3500 from the ticket refers to the concrete f'c. So, the strength meets engineering specifications, but does not meet the...
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    4 month old pool-broken travertine and coping with a hairline crack in the plaster

    I'm not sure how waiting will magically cause the cracks to seal up. Perhaps your PB is counting on you to give up or for your structural warranty to expire. Do you have engineering plans (rebar, concrete) stamped by a professional engineer? If so, I imagine your PB will work with their...
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    Builder Substitutions Question

    I agree with you. I would not sign that contract. My response to the “computer” excuse would be to cross out that line in ink, and both parties initial. Easy peasy. If you get push back I’d suggest adding “upon written approval from customer”. So mant disagreements are the results of a poor...
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    New House/pool - Bad Situation- Need help

    My advice is to start saving for a salt water chlorine generator before next season. I've never needed to SLAM but I think you have an uphill battle with your CYA. I would drain more. You inherited "bad" water, so it's not surprising if you have to replace almost all of it. I've been losing...
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    Dolphin M600/Active 60

    I bought an M600 for $1450 (zero tax and free shipping) from Marina Pool Spa & Patio. This was almost 2 years ago. I assume prices have jumped since.
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    Hayward OmniLogic Controller Firmware update

    I currently have Omni 4.11.0 and also received the message on the app to update by September 5. I also tried to update thru the Omni board and received a no update available message. I'm planning to ignore the warning and see what happens.
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    Shocking

    1/2 gallon of 10% LC only adds 2 FC per day to your 25,000 gal pool. My pool requires 3.5-4 ppm daily so you should consider yourself lucky in that regard. A saltwater chlorine generator will save you money in the long run (not to mention the increased convenience, which is priceless).
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    Is it normal to have to add liquid chlorine to supplement a SWG?

    I keep 70-80 CYA in the summer and keep my FC at 7-9. My SWCG is set to generate about 4 ppm daily (40% at 24 hours for my pool) and I make adjustments as necessary. I would be worried if I ever tested as low as 5. I’ve only added LC once when my pool was brand new 18 months ago. (I ramp up my...
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    Exposed rebar ends at top of pool walls

    Very confusing. You state this is poured concrete but I see joints which resemble concrete blocks. Yet the joints are not even and clearly no grout cells on top. What is creating the horizontal and verticals lines (maybe from the form work)? Also what is sticking out from the sides of the...
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    Choosing a Pebble Sheen color...Aggghhh!

    We thought Blue Surf was “too blue”, especially at the Sunshelf. Slate blue shelf is grey, but that’s a good thing IMO. My pool gets a ton of sun and I would describe the color as a medium blue. Definitely not too dark.
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    A year post re-plaster and the pool isn't looking great - what recourse do I have? Quartscapes Tahoe Blue

    Good luck. If they are like the vast majority of the pool guy "professionals" we hear about here, I would not bet on them helping at all with chemistry. Perhaps they can help if you have equipment issues. Pool stores are just as bad, even the "good" ones. If you are successful in a...
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    Cool deck color selection with ivory travertine

    Good luck! Don’t go too dark or you deck will be HOT in the summer. I have a light gray and it can get pretty warm (nowhere close to regular concrete though). Pure white will be blinding in the sunshine. Agree that no color will match your travertine. Beter to choose a complimentary color, or...
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    Choosing a Pebble Sheen color...Aggghhh!

    I love our Slate Blue. It was worth the ~$1500 upcharge vs the basic choices, such as Blue Surf (which would have been my "Level 1" choice) Have you been quoted an upcharge? Your pool is currently in rough shape. Any choice you make is going to look amazing...
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    Did a sand replacement in filter, next day the pool looks like a swamp

    https://www.troublefreepool.com/blog/2018/12/12/slam-shock-level-and-maintain/
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    Gunite complete, but pool looks different from the plans

    It's difficult to tell what is going on. Maybe a picture from your roof may be more telling. Did you notice the problem prior to gunite? Do you have a plan showing dimensions? Is the overall area still as anticipated (measure actual surface area vs. area in contract)? It's possible to...
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    Shimmering sea

    I also have slate blue. Great choice! It was not a popular color when I built but I’m glad we went with slate blue. A local user here was kind enough to let us visit their pool to see the color in person I would not worry about the look until the pool is full of water. Don’t forget to take...
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    Arctic Rain Cooler (waterline aerator)

    Anyone own this waterline aerator, or something similar? https://arcticraincoolers.com/ I am aware of the pool aerators found here: Cooling A Pool - Further Reading. However, I would like something more discrete, even at the expense of performance. Also, it seems these are fairly easy to...