First opening ever / what to do before turning on SWG

[MostlyCanuck]

Hoping someone has better searching/filing skills than I do..

A long while ago I recall reading one or two posts on the recommended approach to start adding chemicals, for a brand new pool, using a SWG. I think I recall the recommendation was to *not* turn on the SWG right away but by first reaching the target chlorine levels with a one-off dump of liquid chlorine - or perhaps a few days of trichlor/dichlor to also get to the right level of CYA - and then switch to the SWG for daily chlorine top-ups once the chlorine and CYA are at target.. I think this is was the recommendation at least. could be mistaken.

Can't find those posts. If anyone recalls what I'm referring to, grateful if you could link. If you don't, but you can reiterate the recommended solution, that's v helpful too!

Thx

 

[Oly]

It would be best if you would post your current water chemistry levels before someone attempts a recommendation. That said your SWG is best tasked to maintain your desired level of FC. Bringing your FC into the target range first with alternative chlorine additions before powering up your SWG is preferred.

 

[CrystalRiver]

"Brand new pool," are you within 30 days of plastering? There are different instructions for brand new plaster.

 

[wireform]

As Oly said, get the pump running to circulate the water, rid the water of all organics, do a test to see the pool chemistry, bring PH to 7.2 and then do a slam as per the CYA level you have. If the water isn't bad the slam should culminate with a OCLT tether sooner than later. Let us know if you need something specific.

 

[MostlyCanuck]

it would be a brand new pool, so clean tap water goes in. will definitely do a baseline chemistry test and figure out additions via pool math app, but it'll be just municipal tap water w/out chemicals. and it's vinyl, no plastering.

my questions were (i) whether it was recommended to turn on the SWG for chlorination from the get-go vs. first bringing the chlorine levels to target with liquid chlorine and then using the SWG for daily top-ups; and (ii) whether there's actually an advantage to start with tri/dichlor pucks till target CYA is reached and then switch to the SWG (as opposed to adding CYA separately).

hope this makes more sense now! thx all

 

[CrystalRiver]

If it's new plaster, then you need to follow the new plaster startup instruction. No SWG in that case, because you can't add salt in the first 30 days.

If you're past the 30 days or it's not a plaster pool, then throw the salt in and get it dissolved, then wait 24 hours. (Use liquid chlorine in the meantime.) Bring your FC level to target using liquid, make a guess as to SWG settings and walk away. 24 hours later, come back and test again. FC too high? Turn the SWG down a notch and come back tomorrow. FC too low? Bring it to target using liquid chlorine, adjust the SWG up a notch, and come back tomorrow.

The idea is that the SWG is very good at maintaining levels, but much too slow to bring them up in the first place.

The advantage to adding liquid chlorine and CYA separately is you get your chlorine in there immediately. Pucks take a long time to dissolve, and are better at maintaining than getting chlorine in there right now.

 

[Newdude]

Hey MC !!! When you get a minute fill out your signature so people don’t have to ask questions about your questions. Like if it’s a plaster pool for example.

If you are using a mobile device, turn it sideways to see everybody’s signature as an example and list everything that you have/know.

 

[MostlyCanuck]

If it's new plaster, then you need to follow the new plaster startup instruction. No SWG in that case, because you can't add salt in the first 30 days.

If you're past the 30 days or it's not a plaster pool, then throw the salt in and get it dissolved, then wait 24 hours. (Use liquid chlorine in the meantime.) Bring your FC level to target using liquid, make a guess as to SWG settings and walk away. 24 hours later, come back and test again. FC too high? Turn the SWG down a notch and come back tomorrow. FC too low? Bring it to target using liquid chlorine, adjust the SWG up a notch, and come back tomorrow.

The idea is that the SWG is very good at maintaining levels, but much too slow to bring them up in the first place.

The advantage to adding liquid chlorine and CYA separately is you get your chlorine in there immediately. Pucks take a long time to dissolve, and are better at maintaining than getting chlorine in there right now.

if there was a button to triple-like your reply, i would have pressed that. this is exactly the guidance i was referring to and hoping to find. much appreciated

 

[Candurin]

Hey MC !!! When you get a minute fill out your signature so people don’t have to ask questions about your questions. Like if it’s a plaster pool for example.

If you are using a mobile device, turn it sideways to see everybody’s signature as an example and list everything that you have/know.

I’ve been using this site for awhile. NEVER realized turning the phone sideways showed the signatures. I just as well assumed that sigs were hidden on mobile to save load times and screen real-estate. Awesome.