Pool maintenance

[Erinz]

We bought a small-ish 10'x3' pool and have a filter and a pump on it. What would be a good way to maintain the water without using the harsh chemicals? We haven't added anything yet and today I noticed it is starting to develop some algae.

Thanks!!

[mattemma04]

I have seen barley pads or rolls to put in plastic balls for ponds(for the algae).That might work in the pool.Also some grape fruit seed extract might keep down growth. I have a 12 foot one,but am still trying to find a level place to put it.

I have read(with ponds) that the algae will stop,and the pond will clear up.Not sure how *bad* it would get before it did clear up though!

[Erinz]

Originally Posted by mattemma04

I have seen barley pads or rolls to put in plastic balls for ponds(for the algae).That might work in the pool.Also some grape fruit seed extract might keep down growth. I have a 12 foot one,but am still trying to find a level place to put it.

I have read(with ponds) that the algae will stop,and the pond will clear up.Not sure how *bad* it would get before it did clear up though!

oooh the barley is a great idea! I've seen that for ponds before too and had forgotte about it. hmmmm.... now my other problem is that saw some mosquito larve twisting around in there this morning when I was skimming it. GRRRRRR. We do have some mosquito fish I could put in there

I'm really turning this pool into a above ground pond at this point

We'll be swimming with the fishies

Any other ideas??

[SoHappy]

We have a salt-water chlorine generator. It uses a chemical reaction between the salt water and the components of the generator to create chlorine. Yes, it's still chlorine, but a much purer form without all the particulates to irritate skin, eyes, membranes. No red eyes, stench, etc.

[Erinz]

Originally Posted by SoHappy

We have a salt-water chlorine generator. It uses a chemical reaction between the salt water and the components of the generator to create chlorine. Yes, it's still chlorine, but a much purer form without all the particulates to irritate skin, eyes, membranes. No red eyes, stench, etc.

I've never heard of that before, thank you. I will definately look into it.

[momto l&a]

Originally Posted by SoHappy

We have a salt-water chlorine generator. It uses a chemical reaction between the salt water and the components of the generator to create chlorine. Yes, it's still chlorine, but a much purer form without all the particulates to irritate skin, eyes, membranes. No red eyes, stench, etc.

We have that system as well.

[2busy2clean]

We got one of those intex pools, the smaller one, a 8 foot by a so called 30 inch, two weeks ago.

So far I haven't purchased the ph kit or the pool chemicals. We did cover the pool with a flimsy 10 ft X 10 ft shade structure with mosequito netting sides. This helps to keep the sun off of the pool and keep the bugs out. So far no algae!

I've also dumped a little (and I mean less than a 1/4 cup) bleach into the pool when the water starts getting cloudy. Then I run the filter and let the chlorine dissapate overnight. So far the pool hasn't smelled like a typical treated pool. But I really need to make sure that I'm not killing my kids with this treatment. Although, if this treatment is good enough for drinking water...

I did read a little on the salt water filter system and thought the cost was a tad bit much for a cheap pool. I do want to read up on the UV filter system, but am thinking that would be for an underground pool.

[Erinz]

Originally Posted by 2busy2clean

I did read a little on the salt water filter system and thought the cost was a tad bit much for a cheap pool. I do want to read up on the UV filter system, but am thinking that would be for an underground pool.

I was just coming to say that I had just read up on the salt water filter system too and it's more than I want to spend for our $100 pool.... it sounds like a great system for a big pool though. We looked into a UV filter for a pond a while back and to get the one we would like it is a bit pricey too.... then we got pregnant and lost our desire for a pond anyway...

I'm hesitant to use bleach (I'd have to go buy some!) but you are right, that IS how dreaking water can be treated.....

So what is the difference between chlorine tables/chlorine additive and chlorine bleach? I don't know much about that stuff.

[candipooh]

this because we just set up our 12' wide 3' deep pool.

I need to figure out how to keep it clean.

[candipooh]

Hya....I found this

First off, test the water going into the pool to determine its "native" pH, chlorine level (municipal water usually has trace amounts), its alkalinity (its resistance to swings in the pH), & its calcium hardness. pH/alkalinity is first. Get the pH balanced, then add chlorine - liquid bleach is an excellent shock treatment, also get some floater dispensers and plop some trichlor pucks or sticks in there. I recommend getting a Taylor test kit (pricey but critically accurate) for use once or twice a month, and a cheap little kit for daily use. I use borax (20 Mule Team at grocery store) for alkalinity issues, baking soda (also grocery store) for pH UP and muriatic acid (hardware stores) for pH down. Learning your waters native alk & pH is 3/4 the battle. Then just keep it chlorinated to kill the beasties.

So you can use Borax (i have two boxes from when the kids were in diapers) and baking soda (I buy in a huge bag to use for cleaning)

I am going to keep looking around.

[2Sweeties1Angel]

Geez, I must be the only person on MDC who likes (or will admit to liking) the smell of a chlorinated pool. We have the 12'X36" metal framed Intex pool and just treat it with the regular chemicals. I didn't chlorinate it for 2 days and it developed some nastiness growing inside :Puke