New homeowner, trying to understand my pool and corresponding equipment

[poolSquirrel]

Aloha,
I am just moving into my new home and trying to get a grip on my pool. I used to keep my mom's pool when I was a teen and apparently a lot has changed since those days.

My first task is to try to understand how to best set up a schedule on my SunTouch controller. Is there a guide for best practices?

Next I would like to understand how and when to use all of the chemicals the previous owner left behind. Many look like they have been in the garage for some time, I'm worried they might not be very effective, but I would rather try to use them up then just discard them. Is there any potential harm there?

I have not yet ordered my test kit. I have strips and a very basic PH/C reagent test kit that was left behind. I'd like to use these up before purchasing new.

I look forward to engaging in this community as I learn more about my pool and keeping it healthy. Cheers!

 

[Newdude]

Hey squirrel and welcome !!!!

Next I would like to understand how and when to use all of the chemicals the previous owner left behind.

Post up a pic of them all. Maybe some are ok.

but I would rather try to use them up then just discard them. Is there any potential harm there?

Many poolstore chemicals are harmful. They either add sulfates which corrodes metals or copper/silver/iron which cause staining. Post em up and we'll let you know.

I'd like to use these up before purchasing new.

You need to know your CYA, CH, TA and maybe salt too. Strips won't cut it. What you have may be poor quality or long expired.

Head over to tftestkits.net. Either kit is a much better value than the Taylor k2006 or k2006C at the same price points.


Click link ---> Test Kits Compared

 

[poolSquirrel]

 

[Newdude]

Wow that's pretty good for a leftover grab bag.

Sodium bicarb is baking soda, for raising the TA. Get it in a sealed container and it'll last forever. *new container. Never ever mix pool chemicals even in a cleaned out old container.

Ph up is soda ash and also ok

The muriatic acid is ok for lowering PH.

Pitch the super blue and the mystery jug.

 

[poolSquirrel]

Wow that's pretty good for a leftover grab bag.

Sodium bicarb is baking soda, for raising the TA. Get it in a sealed container and it'll last forever. *new container. Never ever mix pool chemicals even in a cleaned out old container.

Ph up is soda ash and also ok

The muriatic acid is ok for lowering PH.

Pitch the super blue and the mystery jug.

Thanks!

 

[poolSquirrel]

There is the other issue of an inoperable booster pump that I forgot to mention in my first post. The booster pump operates a series of bubbler fountains around the pool. It has been inoperable for some time. When buying the house the previous owner provided a recent quote of ~$2,700 to replace the pump. I'd like to try to troubleshoot to at least determine what went wrong.

I found in the back of the garage a second booster pump that they made no mention of. I'm not sure if it is operable or not. Is there a way to test this without blowing it up?

 

[Newdude]

There is the other issue of an inoperable booster

Get a thread going in the plumbing/pumps sub forum. A couple of our best gurus there never come over on this side.

Post wide angle shots of the equipment pad to see where everything goes and how it works. Post closeups of the model plates. And also of the spare pump. It might be for parts or they were thinking ahead.

Do the same for the automation sub forum getting your suntouch working.