I have done a lot of research and it appears that salt pools have a constant acid demand- so I'd be adding a gallon of acid every week instead of adding a jug of liquid chlorine per week. So what's the point? Chlorine is safer to handle anyways
conversion to SWG?
- Thread starter archer636
- Start date
Where are you getting this information from? My pool has a very low acid demand and keeps its numbers almost perfectly in line 99% of the time. I cant imagine having a pool without my salt water system!
various threads, local pool shop, amazon reviews on pH reducers. How often do you add acid?
My uncle had a saltwater pool, but converted it to chlorine about 5 years ago. Back then, I didn't know as much about water chemistry. I don't know about the acid demand and chemicals they had to use. He did say he didn't care for it because it corroded the flagstone coping and the patio furniture. The generator also didn't last as long as he thought it should have. For those reasons and recommendation from my builder, I went with chlorine. I did enjoy the feel of the water on my skin in their pool and the lack of chlorine burn in my eyes though. There's a good chance he didn't know as much as he could have or should have.
- Jun 12, 2011
- 3,769
- Pool Size
- 19500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pureline Crystal Pure 60,000
Acid addition with SWG will vary widely. I have to add some acid every few weeks, vs adding chlorine daily. If you already have a problem with rising pH, then adding a SWG may add to that. Controlling any sources of aeration and lowering TA will help stabilize pH. If it's still an issue, there's always borates.
I had a pool without SWG, before I built this one. I would NEVER go back! If my entire SWG system blew up, I would buy a new one immediately. For me, a pool without a SWG is unthinkable.
I had a pool without SWG, before I built this one. I would NEVER go back! If my entire SWG system blew up, I would buy a new one immediately. For me, a pool without a SWG is unthinkable.
Archer,
Depending on the time of the year and how hard my SWCG is working, I add acid one a week worst case and often once every several weeks.
If you try to maintain a pH of 7.2 in a SWCG pool it will constantly try to get back up to 7.7 or 7.8. I let my pH "rest" at 7.8 and it will often stay there for several weeks.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Depending on the time of the year and how hard my SWCG is working, I add acid one a week worst case and often once every several weeks.
If you try to maintain a pH of 7.2 in a SWCG pool it will constantly try to get back up to 7.7 or 7.8. I let my pH "rest" at 7.8 and it will often stay there for several weeks.
Thanks,
Jim R.
One summer month w/o SWG = 19 gallons of liquid chlorine.
One summer month w/SWG = 0 liquid chlorine and 3/4 gal of muriatic acid.
For once I have a no brainer.
One summer month w/SWG = 0 liquid chlorine and 3/4 gal of muriatic acid.
For once I have a no brainer.
- Jun 12, 2011
- 3,769
- Pool Size
- 19500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pureline Crystal Pure 60,000
Sure, that's how you pay for your chlorine with a SWG. A cell will only produce a finite quantity of chlorine before it is exhausted and must be replaced. I'm using the Hayward AQR 15 and a new cell runs about $400. My cells seem to last around 6 years on average. That makes my average chlorine cost about $67 per year ($400/6=66.67), for a 19,000 gallon pool, with a ton of sunshine, in middle of a desert, that is open year-round.
what factors impact acid demand? I used to have to add a lot of acid until I lowered TA to 60-70 and it stablized the pH.