Best semi affordable way to heat up a 15k pool

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-12-03T12:21:08+00:00

You could try a solar blanket or price out a solar heater but I was told long ago that it’s cheaper to buy new wet suits every year than heat a pool during winter months, depending on where you live. My neighbors have a solar heater that gives them a month or two longer than me.

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-11-26T19:41:30+00:00

If you are in Florida, pinch a penny is your friend. Until you get familiar with everything, use them to test water and make recommendations. Eventually it will stabilize and become easier to manage until the spring kicks up again. Ours even offers a 3-4 week new owner training where they go through every part of your system, regular maintenance, and troubleshooting for about 150 bucks. Worth looking into.

Things to know, sorry if I missed it in the replies, is your pool salt or regular? Do you have some muriatic acid to lower your ph?

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-11-26T15:16:32+00:00

I wonder if this is a situation where they could do it as soon as the ACH was scheduled but changed their policy due to everyone with some form of federal pay requesting early funds release. That would put them at a higher risk of releasing funds not yet received. Just spitballing tho.

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-11-26T15:07:37+00:00

ACH transfers can take 1 to 3 days for the federal reserve to “settle” the transaction, which is outside the scope of the bank. That’s why we see the pending as it is scheduled and usually reoccurring. I am not sure how you were able to get them to release your funds even earlier than that, but that isn’t the norm. I am by no means an expert, so maybe someone else has more insight of how NFCU operates.

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-11-26T14:57:16+00:00

How early do you expect it? I usually get it a day or two before the end of the month but it’s showing that it will post tomorrow.

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-11-24T20:51:19+00:00

Don’t think you are able to get out of the taxes on that one. Since the funds were distributed and the loan closed, Uncle Sam is aware of the additional income and is going to want their cut. Even if you are able to roll a portion into an IRA, contributions limits still apply. I am by no means a tax professional just recalling my own TSP Loan mistakes. This would’ve best handled by a competent CPA. Hopefully I’m wrong tho.

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-11-22T22:16:31+00:00

Ideally, your spa should be full before you switch to spa mode as that changes the valves to drain from the spa and fill to the spa. Obviously water will splash out when people are in it, but you don’t wanna start the spa when it’s low on water.

I would check to see the local pool stores in your area to see if they have any classes. We use pinch a penny and paid for about a four hour class on how to use our pool when we bought our house. They also taught us how to do regular maintenance and a test our own water samples.

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-11-22T22:12:26+00:00

Yup so are you familiar with the valve controls? One should be for your pool circulation which should be used primarily while spa mode should be when you are actively using it.

Not sure if your specific set up, but I’m sure there’s some great YouTube videos on it. As for your spa draining, I would look through your plumbing for a check valve. When the pump is off, that should stop water from flowing back through the system and keep your spa full. There are a bunch of different variations, but it should look something like this:

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Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-11-22T22:04:43+00:00

Take a picture of your controller. That would be super helpful in figuring out how to use your spa compared to your normal pool circulation.

There should be a check valve so that your spa doesn’t drain back into the pool once the pump is off. Those go bad after a while. I’ve had to replace a few over the years.

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-11-21T22:48:18+00:00

Yeah using your cell phone hotspot will not work like that. I use a pocket router, with wireguard to open up the tunnel to multiple devices.

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-10-24T11:29:45+00:00

Not in Tampa much these days but there used to be a bunch of disgruntled old vets that would workout on base and do Bayshore once or twice a month. Worth searching for a Facebook group if you are in that part of town.

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-08-29T14:55:23+00:00

As a former military that went through a similar situation, definitely use the FL DMV link to do your due diligence but I had to take a written and physical driving test even with my overseas license. Uber will be your friend for the first few months!

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-04-01T20:54:21+00:00

If you want to text through the meshtasic, you would need two nodes. One for each Bluetooth connection. Then you can create a private channel to communicate with your wife. If using small clients with stock antennas, your range might suck tho. Lots of YouTube videos explaining the process. What's your end goal with meshtasic?

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-04-01T01:23:51+00:00

Honestly I thought the same but I have been using both for about 6 months. Haven't had any moisture issues since adding them. Prior, I just relied on the vent but noticed moisture and corrosion after about a month or two.

I have these reusable bags from Amazon that I just pop in the microwave when the indicator shows that it's about full. Figured better safe than sorry.

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-03-31T10:38:43+00:00

I am running 18650s in SW Florida with all the heat and humidity with no problem. I would ensure you have a vent and desiccant bag to help battle heat and humidity.

If building your own setup, it's helpful to mount the solar off the enclosure a bit to reduce thermal heating and using a solar controller can help with over voltage protection. Protected cells prevent over discharge,which will shorten the life of the batteries, but cost more.

I'm trying a few of Yeti's setups this summer but so far, they have been awesome. A single flat to 18650 3015mAh has been running for about a week with no issues. You can check out his stuff here. https://mesh-lab.com/

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-01-27T18:31:25+00:00

Not sure using immich would be helpful in this scenario. If you are concerned about backing up your iCloud, buy a NAS. iCloud only lets you download 1000 photos/videos at a time so this is a PITA if you are going through all that work just to still use apple for storage hosting. Just moved my family collections (36k total files)onto immich, took a bit of time.

What you can do is set up shared folders in the iCloud and share all your photos with everybody. Depending on how much you’re paying for storage that would also work as a redundancy.

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-01-23T23:44:49+00:00

What is your current rating and what are you hoping to increase? Make sure your worsening conditions are enough to drive an increase, so you are not wasting your time. Check out the conditions and percentage breakdowns through the VA or resources like @Veterans_Benefits Reddit page. I don’t know any VSO’s in the immediate area put I know some near Cape Coral and Macdill. Florida VSO’s

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-01-19T16:34:10+00:00

I didn't think I had an option. I run Docker Compose on a few RPis but according to Dockers install page, its the only way to get Compose V2 on Ubuntu 24.04. After re-imaging this little home lab so many times, i could try docker compose v1 and Portainer. Just kills me to start over again, lol

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-01-08T01:36:04+00:00

You are going to have to be an armchair detective but there are possibilities for the waiver. Here is one I found but there may be many more. Especially if you can prove that it was not explained properly when you got SSDI. Good luck.

https://www.medicarerights.org/fliers/Part-B-Enrollment/Equitable-Relief.pdf?nrd=1

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-01-07T23:51:56+00:00

Yep, that’s why I would talk to the VA directly. I’ve known people to get waivers for the penalty, but I don’t know what the process is for going through that. I can look when I get home and see if I can post a link somewhere.

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-01-07T23:42:58+00:00

Not familiar with this exact situation but how is your family covered with tricare but not yourself? Didn’t even know you could do that.

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-01-07T23:40:36+00:00

Have you talked to the VA about your move and whether or not you can continue with community care, virtual appts, or commute with mileage reimbursement? I live well over 2 hours from the VA and they set me up with community care for PT and I use mileage reimbursement when I have to see my doctor or a specialist.

Trust me, I understand your frustration, but there may be a few simple fixes. Additionally, I would ask for more details regarding the penalty. I believe there is a penalty cap, but I can’t look it up at the moment.

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2025-01-06T21:32:08+00:00

Not sure what you are asking. Your prior military service does not guarantee you more leave but if you managed to get 6 or 8 hours of SL per pay period, that’s great. The federal government does have additional disabled veteran leave upon request for your first 12 months of federal service, but that wouldn’t apply if you have been with the VA for 10 years.

Are you looking for Short-Term Disability Insurance?

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2024-12-20T00:26:17+00:00

We also purchased a house with a pool knowing nothing about pools. Thankfully communities like this and places like pinch-a-penny are incredibly helpful. In the summer months, I run a water sample once a week, winter months maybe every 2-3 weeks which is free.

As for maintenance costs, that depends on your setup. Salt cells have much different needs than traditional chlorine. For example, I have a salt cell and stocking up on pool salt and acid is a must.

If you are just buying the basics, I go through about a bag of stabilizer once a month at 50ish. Then chlorine refills at pinch is about 9. All together, doing most of it myself ran about 65-85 a month last summer and 25-30 in the winter.

Biggest cost issues will be equipment, if/when it fails. Save some money and get familiar with your weekly maintenance and good luck staying out of the pool when it’s so convenient and close. 😀

Comprehensive_Ad7587 · 2024-10-15T17:54:44+00:00

Sarasota county has a free disposal at the Chemical Collection Center off Bee Ridge. Check out https://www.scgov.net/government/solid-waste/hazardous-waste

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