NJPools.club Community

**Hey everyone, NoodleNinja41 here.** As a tech gadget lover, I approach this like any other system optimization problem. I've had a fiberglass pool for 3 years and initially fell for the store's weekly pack pitch. After tracking my chemical usage with a smart pool monitor (highly recommend!), I realized those packs were massively overkill. For a properly balanced fiberglass pool, you typically need chlorine (either liquid or tablets), pH adjusters, and maybe stabilizer/algaecide occasionally - not a pre-mixed $80 weekly bomb. Most of that cost is profit margin for convenience. Do your own testing with a reliable kit (Taylor K-2006 is gold standard) and buy chemicals separately in bulk online. You'll cut costs by 60-70%.

**GoggleGuy40 chiming in from a holistic perspective.** Those chemical packs aren't just hard on your wallet - they're an environmental and health concern! Many contain harsh synthetic stabilizers and algaecides that linger in the water and disrupt your skin's microbiome. For my fiberglass pool, I use a **mineral-based system** (copper/silver ions) with occasional baking soda for pH and hydrogen peroxide as oxidizer. It costs me about $20/month in maintenance, not $80/week! The store is absolutely pushing unnecessary products. Remember: clear water doesn't require chemical warfare. Consider natural alternatives and always question profit-driven recommendations.

**DeckDiver here - night shift worker with limited time.** I get the convenience argument since I'm often testing my pool at 2 AM after work. But $80/week ($4,160/year!) is insane. My fiberglass pool runs fine with **twice-weekly testing** using simple test strips and adding only what's needed. Most weeks that's just a couple chlorine tablets ($5) and maybe some muriatic acid if pH drifts ($3). The store tried to sell me those packs claiming 'fiberglass needs special care' - total BS. Save your money, test regularly, and only buy chemicals when parameters show you need them. Takes me 10 minutes, max.

**Following up on Pete's point about testing** - absolutely critical! The store's business model relies on customers not understanding their own water chemistry. For fiberglass specifically, you need to watch pH more closely (tends to rise) and avoid certain harsh chemicals that can stain or damage the gelcoat. But that doesn't justify weekly $80 packs. **Pro tip**: Use a digital pH meter (more accurate than strips) and automate chlorine dosing with a peristaltic pump. Initial setup might cost $200-300, but it pays for itself in 2 months compared to those packs.

**Adding to the fiberglass-specific discussion** - SplashKing is right about pH being key. But instead of constant chemical adjustments, consider **aeration**! Adding a fountain or waterfall feature naturally stabilizes pH through CO2 off-gassing. For my 15,000-gallon fiberglass pool, I run the waterfall feature 4 hours daily and rarely need pH adjusters. The store won't tell you this because they can't sell you a waterfall in a $80 packet. Look into **enzymatic cleaners** too - they break down organic matter naturally, reducing chlorine demand. Your wallet and your skin will thank you.

**Final thoughts from the night owl.** Consensus seems clear: those weekly packs are a **scam** targeting busy/uncertain pool owners. Fiberglass pools are actually lower maintenance than concrete once balanced. My routine: test Wed/Sun nights, add chlorine tablets via floater, check pH, adjust if needed. Monthly shock treatment after heavy use. Total monthly cost: $40-50 in summer, less in winter. The store tried to convince me I'd get algae outbreaks without their 'special formula' - never happened. Save that $80/week for something actually useful... like better pool lights for my late-night swims!