How I Keep My Pool Water Crystal Clear All Summer Long!!!

Presenter / Channel

• Vince (from the YouTube cooking video subtitles, though the content is about pool maintenance, not cooking).
• No other sources are cited besides:
  • a referenced Pool Calculator website
  • a link for Aqua Check 7 test strips

“BBB-like” Pool Chemical System (CBBM method)

Chemicals used (with substitutions/notes)

• Chlorine tabs: 2–3 inch chlorine tabs placed in a floater to circulate chlorine “all summer long”.
• Pure baking soda: used to raise pH.
• Muriatic acid: used to lower pH.
• Borax: used sometimes.
• Chlorine source: “Pool Essentials” chlorine from Walmart (about $5 a gallon)—recommended by the presenter.
• Chemical system name: CBBM = chlorine, borax, baking soda, muriatic acid
  • Vince mentions the common BBB method also uses muriatic acid, but he describes his variation as CBBM.

Equipment + Preparation

• Test strips: Aqua Check 7
  • Tests pH balance, alkalinity, and chlorine.
• Pool calculator website
  • Takes pool size/gallons and calculates how much chemical to add to adjust levels.
• Chlorine floater
  • Holds two or more 2–3 inch chlorine tabs.
• Manual vacuum equipment
  • Leaf bagger (for leaves/debris)
  • Manual vacuum head (for finer debris/algae)
• Sand filter with PSI gauge
  • Backwash when PSI rises too high.

Testing Method (timing / technique)

1. Dip test strip into pool water for about 3 seconds.
2. Hold level for about 15 seconds.
3. Compare color to the bottle chart to read pH, alkalinity, chlorine.
4. Frequency: about once a month (sometimes less); levels are often “in line.”
5. If levels are off, use the Pool Calculator to determine how much to add.

Chemical Adjustment Method (step-by-step)

1. Use test strips to check pH, alkalinity, chlorine.
2. If pH is low:
   • Add baking soda to bring pH up (amount determined by the pool calculator).
3. If pH is high:
   • Add muriatic acid to bring pH down (amount determined by the pool calculator).
4. Alkalinity note (key technique insight):
   • Vince says that when pH is up, alkalinity is also up, so he often focuses primarily on pH and expects alkalinity to follow.

Vacuuming / Debris Removal (equipment + technique cues)

A) Leaves and large debris (leaf bagger + hose pressure)

1. Attach leaf bagger to skimmer pole.
2. Connect a garden hose to the leaf bagger.
3. The hose pressure quickly sucks up leaves and bottom debris.

B) Finer debris / algae (manual vacuum + siphoning method; less water)

1. Connect the vacuum setup (attach as described to the skimmer pole/top end).
2. Avoid “vacuum to waste” (Vince says it uses a ton of water).
3. Create a siphon using the return jet:
   • Direct the return jet flow into the vacuum hoses/holes so water exits into the siphon hose.
   • Throw the output end over the side of the pool.
   • While the vacuum is underwater, attach it so it creates siphon suction.
4. Vacuum slowly along the bottom to remove algae/dead algae.
5. Benefit Vince emphasizes: uses much less water than vacuuming to waste.

Chlorine Tabs Management (maintenance)

1. Put the chlorine tabs (in the floater) into the pool.
2. When tabs get really small:
   • Remove tabs from the floater and place fresh tablets directly into the skimmer.
3. Buying in bulk:
   • Tabs purchased on Amazon in 50 lb buckets.
   • Expected duration: a whole season or sometimes a full season and a half.

Sand Filter Operation (backwashing method)

1. Use a sand filter.
2. Backwash when the PSI gets too high (the filter indicates this).
3. Backwashing lowers PSI back to normal.
4. Repeat only when PSI rises again (Vince describes this as less frequent maintenance than cartridge filters).

How Often Vince Performs Key Tasks

• Water testing: about once a month.
• Backwashing: when PSI rises too high (no fixed schedule given).
• Tab replacement: when tablets get small (timing depends on consumption; bulk buckets cover a season).

Tips / “Common Mistakes” Mentioned

• Avoid vacuuming to waste: Vince criticizes it as using a ton of water.
• Avoid excessive extra chemistry testing: Vince claims testing only pH, alkalinity, chlorine is enough for a “nice swimmable clean pool.”

Plating / Serving Suggestions

• None (non-cooking topic).

Video Referenced Links / Sources (as stated)

• Aqua Check 7 test strips: link to order “in the description.”
• Pool Calculator website: link provided in/near the video.
• Amazon: for purchasing chlorine tablets (in 50 lb buckets).