Post by: danbo81 on September 16, 2014, 12:22:37 PM
Post by: Bird on September 16, 2014, 12:25:52 PM
(http://www.safetysteel.com.au/images/domestic-carports/large/P7280010.jpg)
Post by: muzza01 on September 16, 2014, 12:32:37 PM
best thing I ever did was get rid of my money pit and put up one of these
(http://www.safetysteel.com.au/images/domestic-carports/large/P7280010.jpg)
Living in Melbourne I can understand why you did that.
Hey guys not sure if this is covered couldn't find much just wondering people on here with pools we just bought our first house it's has a big pool in the back yard pretty old but in good nick I'm just getting my head round maintaining it and running the pump ect ect it's on a timer runs bout 6 hrs a day in qld on tariff33 from 10 pm till 4 am do I have to run it everyday just wanting to see what others do to save money thanks in advance Dan
Is it a saltwater pool? If so, Running 6 hours a day should produce enough chlorine without anyone using it. Not sure if it is warm enough to use down there yet but you might find you need to increase it to 8 hours a day during heavy use.
Post by: chester ver2.0 on September 16, 2014, 12:55:14 PM
Post by: danbo81 on September 16, 2014, 01:29:39 PM
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Post by: Bird on September 16, 2014, 01:35:52 PM
Quote from: muzza01
Living in Melbourne I can understand why you did that.
If I lived in Shitney again, or gold coast, Adelaide, perth, alice springs I'd still do it.
Post by: Goose on September 16, 2014, 02:07:56 PM
I think mine has been on 3 hours @ high chlorination and its crystal clear.
Also try sticking a watt meter on your pool timer/doser (assuming pumps are connected off this) and see how much juice its actually drawing.
Post by: muzza01 on September 16, 2014, 02:16:52 PM
If I lived in ****ney again, or gold coast, Adelaide, perth, alice springs I'd still do it.There is no doubt they are an expensive toy to own and maintain but I do love our pool. Thankfully our climate is perfect for pools with us using the pool for about 8.5 - 9 months of the year. I know when we lived in Sydney I would only venture in to the pool for about 4 months of the year.
A normal balanced salt water pool should only need 7-8 hours cycle during the summer months and possibly get away with 5-6 hours in the off season. You would need to constantly check it to work out what the minimum running time per day is. As soon as you need to buy more chemicals than you were better off just letting the pool run for extra time.
Overdosing with salt may produce a little more chlorine but you would need a fair amount of extra salt and would need to increase the amps on the chlorinator. The cost of extra salt and power would probably cost more than just running the system for a couple more hours per day plus the extra salt may make the pool unpleasant to swim in.
There are much more economical electric pumps available now. We have one and we also run our pool on Tariff 33 which has reduced our running costs.
I have just had our pool tested, I needed to add salt only. The last time we added chemicals was in May. The pool will run for 8 hours a day and I won't need to add any salt or chemicals now until we receive massive rains in Dec or Jan.
Another tip, if I have a lot of extra people or extra kids in the pool I run the pool pump the entire time they are in the pool. You will need to use an extension chord if you have tariff 33. Lots of people using the pool drops skin, pee, hair, makeup, sunscreen etc that unbalances the ph level in the pool. By running the pool during high use, the pool doesn't need to work as hard to catch up when it is due to cycle again.
Post by: Robbo on September 16, 2014, 04:00:03 PM
Hey guys not sure if this is covered couldn't find much just wondering people on here with pools we just bought our first house it's has a big pool in the back yard pretty old but in good nick I'm just getting my head round maintaining it and running the pump ect ect it's on a timer runs bout 6 hrs a day in qld on tariff33 from 10 pm till 4 am do I have to run it everyday just wanting to see what others do to save money thanks in advance Dan
Depending on the size of your pool six hours should be ok for this time of the year as you will need to turn the water over at least once through your filter system. If your pool is 60,000ltrs which is an average size and your pump is pushing 185ltrs/min then this requires the six hours as mentioned.
In addition to this you also need chlorine production time, assuming you have a salt water pool. If your system is an older one you will probably have a 20amp cell on your chlorinator and also need the six hours of running time.
As you get into Summer when the temperatures go up and the pool is being used more you will need to increase your chlorine production so will need to go to eight hours running to start with. Most of the older chlorinators require 5ppm of salt in pool to produce. DO NOT over exceed this level as you will burn out your cell and this will cost big dollars. Take a water sample to your local pool shop to check the chlorine levels and adjust your running time accordingly.
When and if your current chlorinator requires replacement you can then install a 40amp unit and halve your running time.
Hope this helps
Post by: Beachman on September 16, 2014, 04:39:08 PM
Post by: oldmate on September 16, 2014, 05:15:59 PM
I have a pom mate, who moved here bought a house with a pool, thought it was the best thing since cold beer, now he hates it. The on going maintenance, the costs, and that is just sits there and looks pretty and no one uses it anymore.
Post by: danbo81 on September 16, 2014, 06:04:51 PM
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Post by: Mik01 on September 16, 2014, 06:08:49 PM
Yep agree with bird. Best thing to do with a pool if your worried about running costs, is fill it with dirt.
I have a pom mate, who moved here bought a house with a pool, thought it was the best thing since cold beer, now he hates it. The on going maintenance, the costs, and that is just sits there and looks pretty and no one uses it anymore.
Seems to be the way it goes... Pom moves here seeking sun, fun and great lifestyle.
After a while, pom complains about said lifestyle. Refuses to leave though!
I run mine currently 5hrs per night. As I live on acreage, I run it through the night as noise doesn't bother neighbours. Invest in a pool cover also - will keep crap out of the pool and keep your levels more stable, and reduce water loss (and hence using lots of water topping it up!)
Post by: Mik01 on September 16, 2014, 06:11:41 PM
Post by: GeoffA on September 16, 2014, 06:22:56 PM
Post by: Swannie on September 16, 2014, 06:30:13 PM
swannie
Post by: nisnav on September 16, 2014, 06:45:51 PM
Seems to be the way it goes... Pom moves here seeking sun, fun and great lifestyle.
After a while, pom complains about said lifestyle. Refuses to leave though!
As a pom who moved over here for the lifestyle, we have a pool and love it,,,,, and were in VIC
I always remember a workmate telling me i was daft buying a house with a pool in Melbourne as you can only use it for 3mths of the year,, WOO HOO I said thats 3 mths more than I could in the UK,,,,,,
Been here over 10yrs now and onto our 2nd house and 2nd pool, yes they do cost but its like everything shop around once you know a few things online pool shops can save you heaps,
Enjoy the pool
Graham
Post by: Bird on September 16, 2014, 06:49:39 PM
Swimming pools and boats are great things for other people to own.....IMO.... ;D ;Dagree with you there on the boat
and with this much coastline, theres free pools that take no care.. :)
Post by: Bill on September 16, 2014, 07:49:52 PM
Do NOT I repeat DO NOT fall into the pool with a wheelbarrow full of mulch..
Bill
Post by: Rumpig on September 16, 2014, 07:52:33 PM
Yep agree with bird. Best thing to do with a pool if your worried about running costs, is fill it with dirt.my oldies did the same with their salt water I ground pool, couldn't justify the electricity cost and maintenance costs anymore, so filled it in
I have a pom mate, who moved here bought a house with a pool, thought it was the best thing since cold beer, now he hates it. The on going maintenance, the costs, and that is just sits there and looks pretty and no one uses it anymore.
Post by: KeithB on September 16, 2014, 07:59:15 PM
I think from memory the pump was a Davey Silensor, which is water cooled and has no fan. I have no connection with the company.
I hate the damned pool and would rather turn it into a big fish pond, but have been outvoted.
Post by: lyn4680 on September 16, 2014, 08:34:53 PM
best thing I ever did was get rid of my money pit and put up one of these
(http://www.safetysteel.com.au/images/domestic-carports/large/P7280010.jpg)
x2... well we just turfed it, sacrilege for a Qlder, I know.
Been gone for a few years now and don't regret it for a moment. Not too sure how the little feller will feel about that when he's a bit older tho
But to be honest, we don't have the biggest block and once she sprung a leak he was an easy decision - we get way more use and enjoyment out of the lawn than the pool.
Post by: speewa158 on September 16, 2014, 08:44:17 PM
Post by: GGV8Cruza on September 16, 2014, 08:59:12 PM
best thing I ever did was get rid of my money pit and put up one of these
(http://www.safetysteel.com.au/images/domestic-carports/large/P7280010.jpg)
My new place is the best of both worlds, a pool and two of the above
GG
Post by: Azz on September 16, 2014, 09:19:42 PM
Yet to test water, but it should be perfectly safe to swim in on the three hot days we get each year down here.
Best bit, no maintence and I can practice my casting.
Post by: aussie9 on September 16, 2014, 09:23:01 PM
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Post by: bazt on September 16, 2014, 09:39:41 PM
Grab a solar blanket for the pool. We use ours 9 months of the year and the water rarely drops below 23.23. Bloody hell. My missus wont get into ours unless it's hot enough to cook prawns ???
Post by: aussie9 on September 16, 2014, 09:40:51 PM
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Post by: nab on September 16, 2014, 11:10:06 PM
Nothing better than coming home after a hard days work in summer and stripping down, diving in and just loving it!
Having friends over for weekends BBQs is fantastic. Occasionally the dog gets a dip but she scratches you as she swims...
Excluding power, it cost about $25/month to keep it going. Get some solar panels on the roof and that should make up for the pump power usage.
Post by: danbo81 on September 17, 2014, 11:04:22 AM
Post by: Robbo on September 17, 2014, 11:15:41 AM
Ok so another question we do have solar panels although not sure how big the previous owner has the pump set on 10pm till 4am would I be better of running during the day while the solar is at its best
It doesn't matter as you are being credited for the power generated by your solar panels during the daytime and using the power by running the pool at the times you are when the tarrif rates are the cheapest.
The only down side is that you will have to vacuum your pool and backwash your filter after 10pm at night.
That is, unless you can run a lead out to your pump during the daytime. This is a pain for the pool service guys.
Post by: Ratbag on September 17, 2014, 12:00:51 PM
According to the nice tech bloke at Davey, one should run the pump enough to change the water once every 24 hours. The pump on ours can manage to do that in slightly less than 4 hours, so I run it for 4 hours a day, with a little less in winter (3 hours).
IME, pool shops must get a cut from the electricity companies, because they all say to run the filtration pump 8-10 hours a day, regardless of the size of the pool and the size of the pumps - which is why I rang Davey up in the first place ...
The salt chlorinator controller gets turned up to 100% in summer, and back to 50% for the other 8-9 months of the year. Our pool is heated by a solar heater, which has a separate pump. On average, I chuck about 6x 20 kg bags of salt into ours each year, sometimes a bit more. Pool salt is far cheaper at Bunnings than at your local pool shop ... I buy a litre of copper and organic algaecide and chuck that in about once a year as well. If it is a concrete pool, it is important to keep the calcium levels right, otherwise the calcium in the concrete will leach out into the pool water, usually destroying the tiling at the same time ... :( .
Our pool is small (45,000 litres) and both pumps are well and truly over rated size wise for a pool of this size, as is the solar water heater. Bloody needs to be in Melbourne!
Hope this is some help.
Post by: danbo81 on September 17, 2014, 03:28:30 PM
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Post by: WilSurf on September 17, 2014, 03:40:55 PM
We loved both.
Because we got $0.48 return for every kW we exported and had the 4 tariff thing, we had the pool running during the night wen the electricity was cheaper.
Maintenance was very easy. Have the water checked every now and then, fill up with what ever they recommend and you are set.
Running times in summer (Perth) was 7 hours plus when we were in the pool.
In winter it was running 2 hours a day. We had it checked after winter and it was perfect. We had it one winter when the water was like a green soup, but after a bit of extra clorine all was well.
I loved it when just before you are going to sleep in summer to dive in, cool down. The temp in summer (with a pool blanket) was over 30. Great temp.
Post by: Ratbag on September 17, 2014, 03:42:24 PM
I grew up in Brissy, spent the first 26 years of my life there. Will be coming up there sometime in late October to early November to stay with my bro and his wife for 4-6 weeks.
If I still lived there, I would live in the pool between Oct-Mar. Either there, or in front of an air-con! People reckon that one acclimatises. I never did. Yet my brother is perfectly happy living there, and my nephew has far fewer skin problems than he ever had in Melbourne. We're all different ... :cheers: .
Post by: chetty on September 17, 2014, 04:34:30 PM