[clara1026]

Hi. I am trying to help but am not good at this site. I owned a pool/jacuzzi company for 32 years. I know his problem. It is simple. If he can contact me I will explain.

[KJ1325]

Update. Salt cell working fine. Checked past pool reports and was at top end in range for chlorine all winter. Shocked with 3 gallon of chlorine 36 hours ago and pump running 24/7. PH is high and alkalinity is low (as expected from the shock). Adding acid and baking soda this morning. I am down to this very thin line just at the water line. Move your finger across it as you can see a very light film across the water. Its not everywhere. Been brushing 3 times a day. Cleaned filter 3 times. Maybe shock just hasn't had enough time to fully work. Stabilizer is good. Chlorine is still very high from shock.

[champion6]

Pool maintenance is based on science, that is, chemistry.

However, as can be seen in this thread, pool maintenance is actually an art, not a science.

That's my opinion, based on 7 years ownership of a salt-water pool here.

OP - been there, done that. Good luck!!!

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by KJ1325

Update. Salt cell working fine. Checked past pool reports and was at top end in range for chlorine all winter. Shocked with 3 gallon of chlorine 36 hours ago and pump running 24/7. PH is high and alkalinity is low (as expected from the shock). Adding acid and baking soda this morning. I am down to this very thin line just at the water line. Move your finger across it as you can see a very light film across the water. Its not everywhere. Been brushing 3 times a day. Cleaned filter 3 times. Maybe shock just hasn't had enough time to fully work. Stabilizer is good. Chlorine is still very high from shock.

And this is why I am willing to pay $130 a month to have someone take care of my pool.
I figure, I I can’t afford $1500 a year, I shouldn’t have a pool.

(And I had a pool at my home in Pa for 10 year and spent my high school and college years managing the largest pool in my county in PA, I know the chemistry.)

[worahm]

Keep in mind that high phosphate level in your pool water can kill chlorine. Most pool stores do not normally check for phosphate unless you request the test. Four years ago, when my cell tested okay and the chlorine level was zero, the phosphate level tested very high. Once I lowered the phosphate level in the pool, (it took four days) the chlorinator was able to maintain a normal dhlorine level. The pool store suggested the high phosphate level was because i live near a golf coarse that uses phosphate from time to time to fertilize their greens.

When a cell is near the end of it's life expectancy, it typically displays a lower chorline level on the screen then the actual chorline level in the pool. The chorenator is designed to turn the cell off when the salt level in high. I was told by the manufactuer it frequently it does not. Adding more salt to an already high salt level in the pool water may damage the chlorinator electronics. Replacing the control boards is expensive.

[kkingston57]

Another good reason to not have a pool. Had a pool for 20 years and it looked good most of the time and used it 10-15 times a year. Biggest problem is the yellow algae and per pool companies salt water chlorinator does not help. Miss my pool on those hot humid days.