Converting to SWG, I think I have my water balanced, but I have 2 questions

[drsipe]

I have installed all the equipment for a Circupool RJ60+. I have a flow tube in place until the water temperature reaches 60-70 degrees, so I have been maintaining FC with approximately 1/2 gallon of 10% sodium hypo.

Here are my numbers
FC 8.0
PH 7.5
TA 70
CH 250
CYA 50
Salt 3400
Temp 54
CSI -.71

Q1: I know that with a vinyl pool, I don't need to be too concerned with low CH, but do I need to be concerned with a CSI of -.71?

I have been trying to increase the PH to 7.6 by aerating. I have the returns pointed up and I have a cheap fountain connected to one of my three returns. Increasing the PH to 7.6 will raise the CSI to -.61, which is closer to the range specified in Pool Math.

Q2: Should I just bite the bullet and add soda ash to raise the PH to 7.6, or continue to aerate (PH has been climbing very slowly 7.2 to 7.5 took a week)?

 

[Texas Splash]

Q1 - No. As long as you have no plaster products touching the water. You do want to be sure the pH doesn't drop too low though (corrosion).
Q2 - I wouldn't add soda ash. If you want the pH closer to 7.7-7.8 and it just seems stuck, I'd add a little baking soda to increase the TA by 10 ppm which should help. Also remember that the SWG "should" increase the pH a little as well (aeration).

Just FYI - Even though CSI really doesn't apply to you, remember that once your water temp increases the CSI will increase as well. It's only low because your water is still cold. You can see that if you play around in the PoolMath APP.

 

[Oly]

Play with pool Math and watch the effect a higher temp has on CSI. Yes pushing the pH a bit higher will also help with CSI but I think when the water temp rises soon you will where you want to be. Install your SWG and find the minimum operating temp.

 

[djdonte]

All your numbers look good honestly. Don't add anything for the PH. Also I don't think CSI really applies if there is no concrete involved. The SWG will make your PH creep up. I add a few oz of acid every week. I keep my CYA closer to 60-70 in the summer but I don't think you will get the UV we get in the south.

 

[Oly]

I'm not seeing any rise in my pH after running my SWG for a month now. My pool surface is no longer plaster and my fill water TA is a bit high at 110 but my pool water TA is 70 and my pH is stable at 7.7.

 

[djdonte]

I wish I had your problem. I add about 6oz of MA every week to get from 7.8 to 7.6

 

[Oly]

Does your pH rise to 8 and above without the acid? If not why not let it ride at 7.8 or 7.9? How are your TA levels pool and fill water.

 

[drsipe]

Q1 - No. As long as you have no plaster products touching the water. You do want to be sure the pH doesn't drop too low though (corrosion).
Q2 - I wouldn't add soda ash. If you want the pH closer to 7.7-7.8 and it just seems stuck, I'd add a little baking soda to increase the TA by 10 ppm which should help. Also remember that the SWG "should" increase the pH a little as well (aeration).

Just FYI - Even though CSI really doesn't apply to you, remember that once your water temp increases the CSI will increase as well. It's only low because your water is still cold. You can see that if you play around in the PoolMath APP.

Thanks, playing with pool math, I did see that CSI will increase with temperature. I did add some baking soda to raise TA from 60 to 70, so I guess I will continue aerating and be patient. Thank you for verifying that I am on the right track.

 

[drsipe]

Play with pool Math and watch the effect a higher temp has on CSI. Yes pushing the pH a bit higher will also help with CSI but I think when the water temp rises soon you will where you want to be. Install your SWG and find the minimum operating temp.

I installed the SWG cell last evening, and started the pump this morning. The pool temp from my thermometer is about 54, but the cell is seeing 58,,,, and it is generating,,,, yay, I can stop manual chlorination.

 

[mknauss]

Turn off CSI tracking in Poolmath. You do not need to bother with CSI. It is just a distraction.

 

[drsipe]

Turn off CSI tracking in Poolmath. You do not need to bother with CSI. It is just a distraction.

Thanks for the advice