Fiberglass Pool Care & Chemistry
Vložit
- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- WEBSITE: www.swimmingpoollearning.com/
CZcams Video Index -- A list of all of my videos: poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/...
Here is an overview on the proper chemistry and care of your Fiberglass pool. There are many differences between a Fiberglass and a plaster pool that you should know in order to properly care for your Fiberglass pool.
The main difference is that a Plaster pool has a constant Acid Demand. It is just the nature of the plaster surface that causes this. A Fiberglass pool on the other hand is basically a type of plastic and therefore has little to no acid demand. You will find that you are battling constantly low pH in a Fiberglass pool. But there are times when the pH does drift up so you will need to know how to test the pH and not only raise it, but lower it to prevent scaling on the fiberglass surface. A pH lower than 7.2 can remove color from the gelcoat and cause blistering on the surface.
The chemicals you add are a big contributor to low or high pH as I noted in the video. So adding certain chemicals can dramatically affect the pH in your Fiberglass pool.
Here are some videos that you will find helpful as you adjust your Fiberglass Pool's chemistry. A note about Liquid Chlorine - even though it has a higher pH than Cal-hypo shock, it is better to use since it has such a low chlorine level 12-15% and is quick dissolving. The Cal Hypo has calcium as a main ingredient which makes it much worse to use on a regular basis as your primary sanitzer. I would stick to Dichlor if possible.
Pool Test Kit: Chlorine, PH and Acid Demand: • Pool Test Kit 5-way, H...
Alkalinity UP (Baking Soda) Raising Low Alkalinity: • Alkalinity Up, Baking ...
For High Alkalinity, how to lower Alkalinity: • High Alkalinity, lower...
Soda Ash, PH UP: • Soda Ash, PH UP
Muriatic Acid, pH Down: • Muriatic Acid, pH Down
Taylor Test Kit (K-1006 - K-2150): • Taylor Test Kit (K-100...
Aquachek & HTH Test Strips: • Aquachek & HTH Test St...
How To Test and Adjust Calcium Hardness in a Pool: • How To Test and Adjust...
To learn about Conditioner: • How to Use Swimming Po...
Instant Pool Conditioner: • Instant Pool Condition...
Metal in Pool Water, How to Treat and Eliminate Metal: • Metal in Pool Water, H...
I also cover the types of chemicals you should and shouldn't use in your Fiberglass pool. For a more detailed look see these chemical specific videos:
Liquid Chlorine Pool Sanitizer: • Liquid Chlorine Pool S...
Pool Shock, Cal Hypo: • Pool Shock, Cal Hypo
Trichlor 3" Chlorinating Tablets: • 3" Trichlor Chlorine T...
Dichlor Pool Sanitizer: • Dichlor Pool Sanitizer
Kem-Tek Super Shock Quick, Trichlor Shock: • Kem-Tek Super Shock Qu...
I also cover algae in your Fiberglass pool. All pool types can grow algae in the right conditions and Fiberglass is no exception. Here are some Algae removal videos including the last video that covers the Black Algae tablet scraper:
For removing Yellow & Mustard Algae: • How To Remove Algae fr...
For GREEN pool clean-up: • How to Clean a Green P...
Swimtrine Plus Algaecide (Copper based): • Swimtrine Plus Algaeci...
Yellowtrine Algae Treatment: • Yellowtrine Algae Trea...
PHOSfree: Phosphate Remover, Algae Treatment: • PHOSfree: Phosphate Re...
Swimming Pool Algaecides and Algae Removal: • Swimming Pool Algaecid...
Pentair Algae-Gon Chlorine Tablet Holder 542068 for Algae Stains & Black Algae: • Pentair Algae-Gon Chlo...
You can also find many of these videos in the Playlists on my Channel for even more help with your pool care needs.
And note that the chemistry range I posted in the video is the generally accepted range and may differ slightly from the range given to you by the company that installed your Fiberglass pool.
There are many benefits of a Fiberglass pool. They are very strong and durable and depending on the type they will be more affordable to install than a traditional plaster type pool.
Tips:
Brush the pool weekly even if you have a cleaner installed.
Proper water balance is key to a long lasting clean looking fiberglass finish
Don't let leaves or debris settle on the bottom for long periods of time as they can stain the fiberglass
If your Fiberglass is the one-piece type and you notice that the fiberglass is dull above the water line you can try polishing it with Meguiar's Heavy Cut Cleaner or Menzerna Power Gloss from your local Auto Parts store. After applying the Heavy Polish you can use regular car wax to shine the fiberglass back up.
Mrdgvb1 Social Media Links:
Google +: plus.google.com/b/10773534357...
Blogger: poolmandave.blogspot.com/
Facebook: pages/Youtub...
I'm a service technician that specializes in saltwater fiberglass pools. To point a couple things out, you should never add any calciums or hardeners to your fiberglass pool. That is for concrete pools, because concrete pools erode away over time, whereas fiberglass pools (if manufactured correctly) have a gel coating. Another thing I would like to point out is whoever put your pool in the ground is weird for using "metal pipes", every installation I've seen and assisted in PLUMBING was with PVC pipe, schedule 40 high pressure. So if your pool is staining, you need to check your chemicals. Chemicals in a more granular form you can actually toss in your pool, as it dissolves quickly. You should go to muratic acid as your last resort to lower pH, and make sure you test your chemicals 48 hours after adding them. As for algae, keep in mind algae grows in heat. Stagnant, warm water especially under a security cover is so perfect for that condition. If you're looking to avoid this, close your pool when it's too cold to swim, and open it when it's too cold to swim. I say this because you've essentially taken the heat out the the equation for the growth of algae. I Can't promise it will prevent algae growth entirely, but it will definitely put it at a minimum.
Can you recommend what i can do to get rid of calcium build-up inside the pool?? My pool has a lot of build up and last year was causing skin injuries.
@@veronicamonterrosa2050 hello Veronica, what type of pool do you have? Also, where is the location(s) of the calcium? If it is built up up on the walls underwater, I will tell you that is not easy removal for a fiberglass pool. Not all hope is lost though. If there are large chunks protruding, you can use a stsin eraser to knock those off. Another method on tandem with this is having an acidic ph (7.0 at most) to help assist in loosening the calcium up. Keep in mind your standard PH range is 7.2-7.8 so if you decide on lowering PH to 7.0 or lower, your equipment will suffer some corrosion. If you have a heater, please bypass the water while doing this so you don't ruin the heat exchanger. Everytime my company installs a new fiberglass pool, we actually include a chemical called "scale free" which serves as a preventative for scale build up. Unfortunately, it may be too late seeing as you have scale though I do suggest to start using it to mitigate further build up. My final suggestion is for you to figure out why the water is so hard, and what could be causing this. If you are on well/septic this could be a potential reason harness/calcium was introduced. If this is true, you will also need to look into having a water softener system installed on the main water line to the house. If your pool is fiberglass & you are adding calcium regularly you should definitely stop. If your pool is concrete, unfortunately you will still need to add calcium to keep the plaster in good quality. Please let me know some additional information and I can better assist. Hope this was helpful!
@@jholmes9154 thanks for your help! How come certain sites say you should maintain around 250ppm of CH in your fiberglass to prevent leaching through the gel coat? I hear conflicting information regarding CH levels in fiberglass to maintain the gelcoat
@@SilentBob1219 thats fine and you are correct, I just would recommend to never go above that. If there is excessive hardness in the water that comes from the spigot, that will need to be handled (because the calcium will continually build). Water naturally balances itself, so yes, too soft of water can be problematic.
Great video! Thanks for all the great info. I'm a new homeowner with a fiberglass pool.
Glad to here that. I like the salt systems as they will produce the equivalent of 1 gallon of liquid chlorine or more a day. That makes sanitizing your pool much easier. I have a salt pool myself and love it. I just did a video series on the Nexa pure salt system and will post those videos soon. It is a good system. The Pentair IC40 is the best.
Swimming Pool Tips, Reviews & How To -MrDgvb1 how do I get stubborn yellowish stains off the walls in a pool
excellent info. thank you,
My pool guy use a commercial vacuum to clean my fiberglass pool is it ok?
thanks as always MrDgvb1 your the best...
Hey I am debating between buying a fibreglass pool (compass pools) or vinyl pool (desjoyaux pools).
Have done a lot of research online but getting very mixed reviews.
Would love some unbiased reviews on the pro's and cons of each type from someone who has a pool!
I have read up on the Super Stain out and I don't see where they say its safe for Fiberglass pools. Is it?
CuLator works best with a Metal Sequestering agent. Once the metal is suspended in the water it can be drawn into the bag. But that is not a high copper level. If your pool is green I would recommend shocking it and treating the algae. By doing that the metal will stay in your pool as it is removed best in low chlorine levels. But get it blue again and then tackle the copper in the winter. Not sure why they told you not to clean your pool - A green pool is worse than a little metal in the water
I was thinking the same its great to have reassurance thanks so much I will definitely buy new filters.. and add some liquid chlorine.
You can try Super Stain out and see if it works. One bottle is good for 10,000 gallons so you may need two. It is like a $40.00 investment that may work. It is worth a shot. But the stain my not come off. It is hard to say.
Great video. Thanks for sharing.
If you don't mind I have a quick question.
Just had a FP installed in the fall here in NJ.
When we opened in the spring we had a big problem with Calcium scaling on the walls.
I put in some scale free (2applications) and brushed with soft pool standard brush. It's gotten a little better but we still see and feel the calcium. (Feels like sand paper)
Any recommendations?
THANKS !!!!!!!!!!
Try the Easy Care BeauTec product. I find it works better than the Scale Free. The BeauTec gets behind the calcium and lifts it off as you brush the pool. It takes about 2 weeks but you will see good results. Just pour one bottle in and brush the pool daily.
I will give it a try and let u know. Thanks for the tip!!!!!
Hi there,
Can you instruct me on how to change a jet? I have a crack in a jet in my fiberglass pool and it is leaking! Need assistance fast! *HELP* ! Thanks!
I have stain all over that has been there for a long time as we didn't know how to get rid of it. So are you saying the stain is now perminate?
MrDgvb1, I have a fiberglass pool. I took a sample of water to Leslies Pool and they told me I have copper (below .05) in my water. They recommended not to clean my pool until all metal was out, but now my pool is dark green. Any recommendations??? I've tried the c u later sack for three weeks, but metals are still at same level. :/ Thanks!
That is fine. The fiberglass is very durable.
hi, great video.
my fiberglass pool was drained 1 year ago. i let my ph get low and one day i came outside and the pool was covered in brown. i couldnt brush off but i could put my hand in pool andd easily wipe off. i was gonna use wire brush but i thought maybe i would mess my pool up? any suggestions
Sounds like copper from the plumbing or heater. Try the ascorbic acid treatment on it:
Ascorbic Acid Treatment for Removing
Stains in Your Pool: czcams.com/video/9kgyASHiiAw/video.html
Hello I really enjoy your videos and learn alot from them thank you for sharing them. I was wondering if it is safe to drain a fiberglass pool? Or should you do partial drains? I moved into a house recently and cyanuric acid is high.
I wouldn't drain it more than partially. Maybe one or two feet. Before doing that switch over to liquid chlorine or Clorox bleach and stop using Trichlor tablets or Dichlor granular which both contain Conditioner. Give it a month and see if the levels have dropped. Also, just wondering the levels and how you tested it?
I know this is 6 years late, but if you drain a fiberglass pool below the returns (we install them 18" below top of the pool) you can face structural damage. The walls will start to cave in from the ground weight especially if the water table is high. I have had to do these type of repairs.
In fact, if you drain your pool below the skimmer for our installations, the lifetime warranty is now null & void. That is our criteria. We also install a well point that you can see the what the water table around the pool looks like, since it is a well known fact that the pool can be pushed out of the ground with a high water table due to the hydrostatic pressure. If you so choose to drain it below the skimmer you need to brace the pool with 2x4s to keep the walls from crushing on the sides. As a direct result from the walls crushing/flexing, this may cause damage to return fittings and light niches.
I have a hayward c2025 filter tank and the filters in the tank have this on top of them hayward filter cartridge c-48-o-e 56 sq ft when I look in the owners manuel it says to use cx480xre filters... also the bands on the filters look a little worn only has one on them not sure if they r supposed to have two.. thanks for the replies greatly appreciated
I am going to say that those cartridges are worn out. When the bands start to come loose the pleats expand and won't filter nearly as well. For your filter size four cartridges are pretty inexpensive. I found 4 on Amazon for $96.00. A good brand also. I bet this will clear up the water as I don't think it is a conditioner issue but poor filtration. www.amazon.com/Pleatco-PA50SV-PAK4-Replacement-Super-Star-Clear-Cartridges/dp/B002869S8Y
Hey David, I live in AZ and have a fiberglass pool. I recently had the pool filter changed and the installer said that my water hardness was high. I ran my own test using the Taylor kit and it is reading 750ppm, which is high! They recommended a drain and chlorine bath but want to charge about $500. First, is it safe to drain a fiberglass pool? I keep reading about it being high risk due to buckling/cracking of the fiberglass or the pool popping up. I have access to a sump pump and hose and would love to do the drain myself (or at least a partial drain) so I can get some fresh water in the pool to (hopefully) reduce the hardness. What would you recommend?
+Justin Turner As far as the pool popping out - it only happens in areas with high water tables if I remember correctly. Water running under the ground - the water in the pool holds it down and when drained it pops up. Pretty rare.
You can do a full drain or partial drain yourself with the sump pump.
Thanks David. Love your channel and thanks for all the tips.
Hello, thank you for all the great information on fiberglass pools! I just bought a house with a fiberglass pool and I notice the calcium is clinging to the walls. Can you please explain to me what chemicals I need to use to clean it!! I know I cannot scrub the walls like a normal pool. Thank you in advance for the help!!
Gel coating is coming off.
What kind of pool vac do u have?and can u give me n e ideas on fixing an hayward pool vac ultra?
I've got a playlist on my Channel covering most repairs on that cleaner. The Top gear is the only one I haven't filmed as of yet. It is on my list:
Hayward Navigator Ultra:
czcams.com/play/PLB2362E5AF40E4C42.html
Is it safe to use Leslie's Chlor Brite - Granular Chlorine Pool Shock on my fiberglass pool? I've only used liquid chlorine, but they told me this was safe for the fiberglass as well. Also, if safe to use, do I just spread it around the pool, or do I have to dissolve it in a bucket of water first?
Yes it is safe, but liquid chlorine is the best. It is Dichlor so it will add CYA - Conditioner to the pool.
Thanks for the reply, my CYA is low at the moment, so I'll go w/Dichlor for now.
I tested using aquachek test strips. Here are the readings im getting ph7.2 total chlorine 3 free chlorine 3 total bromine 500 total hardness 500 total alklanity 80 cyanuric acid between 150-300. The pool has been cloudy even after shock and using a clarifier and cleaning filters.. When I bought the house I was told filters have not been changed in 3 or more years and pool has never been drained. Also previous owner was only using trichlor tabs. Thanks for the reply
That is not enough conditioner to make your pool cloudy. My guess is that it is a filtration problem. What type of filter do you have - Make & model? My guess is the pool is just not filtering well. With a chlorine level above 3 ppm it should be clear, unless the filter is the problem. You might have to run the pool for 24 hours to help clear up the water. I would also being the chlorine level up to 10 ppm to help with the cloudiness. In your case you should use liquid chlorine or Clorox bleach only
. Some powder shocks make the water very cloudy - Cal-Hypo and Dichlor Shock. Sometimes it is cloudy do to the shock used itself.
Do you think you can make of a video of the "super stain out " by hasa ???? But if you can't it's fine just let me know :) thanks
I am planning on it. I called the Rep at HASA to ask what is in that stuff and he said there are three ingredients and they are all top secret. But I can still work with that.
Hello, I have a fiber glass swimming pool and for the 1st 4 months the color of the fiberglass (light blue) turned into a rusty yellow tone.
We normally use chlor tablets, Alkalinity increaser and Sodium carbonate. But since the fiberglass turned of a rusty color, I used Muriatic acid to try to get rid of the problem. It worked for the first week, but the yellow tone appeared again.
Now, the stain remover that I normally find in supply stores look like dry acid, and I'm afraid if I use this I might damage the pool.
What would you recommend me to use? I will really appreciate your advice.
Try adding 4 lbs of Ascorbic Acid Powder from AMZ. Sounds like maybe metal staining.
@@SPL thank you so much.
One more question, after using this product will there be any residuals that should be vacuumed on WASTE or will just vanish and just a backwash would be enough?
Have a question about calcium build up in fiberglass pool, what is the best way to treat and get rid of? Thanks
Depends on where the build-up is? at the waterline or on the fiberglass?
I have the same question. Am getting on the fiber glass. Last year we left it but it had been causing skin injuries. Can you please let me know what I can do.
with continued use of stabalized dichlor wouldn't that raise CYA levels in pool to high
Just don't over use it. I've got one on my route and I dump in a small scoop of it ever so often and use liquid chlorine mainly each week. The chlorine demand in a fiberglass pool is lower due to a lower acid demand and a stable pH. Dichlor is pretty strong and a little bit goes a long way.
How do you fix a fiberglass pool that is brown. The water looks clear but the fiberglass walls are brown. My pool guy suggested Ascorbic Acid and when we add it the pool turns white. Then the pool guy says the PH is off balance, and adds soda ash. Within 2-3 days the pool walls are brown again. There is a oak tree near the pool. Can that cause the fiberglass to turn brown? Any suggestions?
I think he is on the right track. But the source of the metas is not being removed. Try adding the ascorbic acid again, a qt of jack's magic magenta or pink stuff and put a Culator 4.0 in the pump basket. See if that does the trick.
I have a 1990 fiber glass pool the clear coat is completely gone it has black spots on it but now I got a crack in the bottom of the pool does that mean my shell is going bad
Is it a build in fiberglass or a drop in pool?
Check out ecofinish. That will resurface fiberglass and concrete pools. Consider it a new pool paint job with texture.
How do I test to see how much liquid chlorine to add to pool? Thank you
I want to know how much is too much when treating a green pool. Thank you
My formula is 1 gallon of 12.5% liquid chlorine per 1,000 gallons.
@@SPL did you mean per 10,000 gallon? Thank you
Can I acid wash my fiberglass pool , my pool is stained from shock from a few years ago so I'm trying to get everything back to brand new so I can enjoy my pool lol sorry for all the questions I've been asking.I just need help
No, you can't acid wash a fiberglass pool, but some of the staining might come out if you try a coupe of things. First, you can try a couple of bottles of "Super Stain Out" by HASA. I have used that product and had good results. But I think the best solution is to let the chlorine level get near zero and add 1 lb of Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) that you can buy online in powder form. I have a video on using Vitamin C to remove rust stains and i detail this in that video. Natural Chemistry sells a product called "Stain Free" which is basically Ascorbic Acid and works well also. As a cheap way to test it, rub a vitamin C tablet on the stain to see if it will come off.
my pool is salt water and ithe are kind of slammy what to do?
I think you mean slimey? Is the salt system working? sounds like algae so maybe the chlorine is low.
How do I remove iron brown stains
Try the ascorbic acid treatment on the entire pool.
It worked. I put two pounds in and immediately the pool iron disappeared. Problem is 15,000 gallon fiber glass pool looks like I’ll need 20 lbs. can I use citric acid? It’s cheaper!
@@deanalley_thebaptist878 Citric Acid will also work fine.
No water leaking
Also it is a salt water pool.
That looks no more like a bath tub than any other pool
Drop in
Sounds like the shell is worn out. Any water leaking?
Sorry total bromine of 5
i think is more healty to jump in a lake than in that chemical lab😂😂