Sharkster

I think so.  I am using a digital pool tester.

I took a reading this morning and my PH was at 7.3 and TA 183, which I thought was fine.  Went out for the day leaving the cover off the pool and it rained heavily and now my PH read 8 and TA 203.  I have read the PH can be increased by aerating the water and rain does just this.  Is this why my PH has gone up so much?  If so, is it back to more PH- to solve the problem?  I have an above ground pool with a vinyl liner and 11M cubed of water.  I know sulphuric acid is better at reducing the PH but I am not sure it is suitable for a vinyl liner.  My PH has been constantly on the move this week, I get it down with PH- and then it increases again.  Please help!!!!!!!!!!

AquaCheck TruTest.  Picked up at my local BigMat.  It test for Free Chlornine, TA and PH.  I know there are better testers on the market, but this is a huge step up from guesstimate testing strips. BTW - The PH has not changed in my pool but the TA is now down to around 150.  I have been putting the PH- in one place, since I read this is the best way to reduce TA.  So I guess tonight I will try using more PH- but this time put it in different places, to help bring the PH down, since the TA is back in line.

That is a huge help.  My PH was 7.8 today, but have taken steps to bring it down to 7.2, which I guess in turn will reduce the TA a little anyway.  I think I have been a little lucky on the chlorine front then, since until yesterday my free chlorine was at around 10!! (I have been adding too much and the pool has been covered so no UV to burn any of it away).  It is truly scary how it is nearly impossible to judge what is going on in your pool with tester strips, I knew my chlorine and TA were a little high, but when I got my digital reader yesterday I was astounded how high they were in reality. Thanks again. Sharkster

I have been using PH- to bring it down, managed to bring it down by 25 yesterday to 175 but it is back to over 200 again today, but the PH is now 7.8 when it was over 8 before.  Should I be using something else to reduce the TA.  I believe the active ingrediant in my PH- is Sodium Bisulphate or something.

Out of curiousity does high PH and total alkalinity dry out your skin?  I have just purchased a digital tester and got somewhat of a shock today when I tested the pool and all the levels are through the roof.  So far managed to reduce my PH to normal (I expect this to bounce back up due to high TA) and in the process of reducing TA - was over 200 now at 175, aiming for below 150 tomorrow..  Also with high PH and TA would the total chlorine level stay high, or have I been going a little wild with the chlorine tablets?

Thanks Bugbear, I wonder now if Graisse de Teflon would be more suitable?

Having read a number of conflicting reports online, is it safe to use vaseline on 'O' ring.  Some people say it is fine, while other say it will cause problems.  If you cannot use vaseline, what is the French name for silicon grease and is it likely to be available at my local brico?

This is very helpful and thanks

Right, I did not know that.  So all I need is stabilized chlorine (or javel & stabilizer) and PH+/PH- (or hydrochloric acid and bicarbonate of soda)to keep the pool in balance.  I do not need/should not use, anti algae, floccant or clarifier.  That seems simple, are there any other chemicals that should be introduced? Out of interest, what was the problem you had with anti algae?

Thanks for your advice, I knew Floc was out, but clarifant I was unsure on.  I will stick with good old chlorine and anit algae.

[quote user="JJ"] A big warning though is do not be tempted to use any sort of flocculant as it will block up the filtration medium. [/quote] Just been reading this and I have just purchased some Zeolite filter media and the product I was thinking of using - Bayrol Complete - contains "clarifiant", which I am unsure could be classed as flocculant.  It states on their website it is safe for catridge filters, but obviously no mention of Zeolite.  Is this likely to gunge up my nice new Zeolite or am I safe?

Wasn't thinking of using their chemicals, just wanted to check the levels are correct.  You use sulphuric acid?

So the Cool PoolTester can be had for around £70, I cannot seem to find Scuba+ anywhere (it is not a great search for google).  Is there any good places to buy either of these products in France? Also, just found this link, would the experts on here agree that the information is accurate, so I have something to work with. http://www.easypoolchemicals.com/shop/popups/small-guide.html

Thanks, I will look at both of those.

Are there other things you can use to test the water then?  What cost are we talking for something that is accurate?

The old pool I had came with an instructional video, but I was unable to watch it.  I have yet to take delivery of the new pool, so there maybe something with that.  Can you offer some advise, I understand a cheap testing kit is of no use, hence why I will be using testing strips in the future.  Any useful comments would be appreciated.

I may be wrong, but these tickets are not usually for points earned, but vouchers to be used against future purchases to gain bonus points.  Whenever there are points on purchase offers, they are added immediately, but HyperU often give printed vouchers which require a certain spend on a type of product in the future.  Hope this helps.

I have just invested in a new pool for this year.  It is an above ground pool with 11 metres squared of water and has a sand filter that filters at 4 m squared per hour.  Previously I had an above ground pool with a catridge filter and last year in particular experienced terrible algae problems.  Before we fill the pool, I want to make sure I know which chemicals are to be used and when.  Previously I have used the following:- Chlorine Anti Algae Very cheap tester kit Having looks in catalogues there are various long term and short term chlorine solutions, 5 in 1 chlorine tablets, seperate anti algae and flocant, so I am very confused.  Is it better to use a slow release/long duration chlorine over a daily added chlorine?  Should floc be used on a daily basis? (never used this before)  Are the 5 in 1 tablets effective and if so, is that the only chemical I need?  Also since there is a sand filter are there any additional chemicals I need? Do I need filtershock tablets for the sand filter?  If so how often do I use them?  I want to have clean water for the whole summer and am happy to spend the time to achieve this, but I am confused to what the daily regime should be.  Also, if the water is heated from an external heater, are there any further things to consider in regard to water maintentance? Also, I have been looking at pool hoovers and most seem to refer to 'fond plat' which translated means flat bottom.  Are these suitable for most above ground pools too? Any help/advice would be appreciated, really looking for an idiots guide to pool maintenance. Thanks, Sharkster

That is what I thought, but most of the balsamic vinegar available in the local supermarket seems to resemble the consistency of normal vinegar.  Do you think restaurants use the more expensive vinegars that have been aged in wood? I have seen a similar product to this in the local Italian pizza shop, I think this may be similar to what they use.  I think I will give it a try. http://www.earthy.com/Crema_di_Balsamico_Balsamic_Cream__500_mlA_NAMEBalsamic_P125.cfm

We have been to a few restaurants and they all seem to serve a dark brown/black sauce/dressing with their starters which have salad on the side.  It is a little sweet in taste and quite thick (looks a little like chocolate sauce).  Anybody know what it is?

Thanks for your help.

[quote user="Clair"]The contract (bail) is automatically renewed for 3 years without any loss of rights. See here: http://www.anil.org/guide/locatif/fin.htm [/quote] So I do not need to do anything?

We are at the end of our 3 year rental lease and want to continue in our property.  Do we need to contact the landlord and arrange for a new 3 year lease?  If we don't do we have any rights?  From what I have read, outside the lease, the landlord must give you 6 months notice.  Is this correct?  Also having just read the deposit post, would we be due a partial refund on our security deposit, since I believe we paid 2 or 3 months deposit.  Also is there such a thing as a rolling contract as in the UK, where you often have a shorthold tenancy agreement for 6 months and then it just rolls on from there?

Does anybody know the regulations for travelling with a dog to Spain.  He has a pet passport but not the 6 months clear period to qualify for the UK, but can he enter Spain?  If so, does he need tapeworm and tick treatment?