AquaPure SWG - new salt cell question

[lissajeen]

Hi! First-time poster, new pool owner. I just installed a new salt cell in the Aqua Pure today, and currently am reading 0.5 FC, 7.2 pH, 80 TA, 350 CH. I'm wondering what the recommendation is for the setting/run time for starting up with a new cell and currently reading no chlorine.

I've shocked several times throughout the month at the advice of the local pool store with Cal Hypo, and threw in a couple chlorine tabs the previous owner left in the pool shed. Just took first readings with the TF-Pro kit today and results are above. I didn't do the CYA test but previous pool store/strip testings read very low. Should I put more shock in to boost it or just let the cell work up to the correct levels? Any advice would be welcome.

Thank you! This site has been so helpful already, I'm looking forward to learning more about our system here. Lots of questions coming!

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Helloooooo Lissajeen

So smart of you to get that great test kit I would suggest you run the CYA test as per the directions because it will guide you as to how much FC to strive for daily. FC/CYA Levels

With the new SWG cell in, you want to take your FC up with Liquid Chlorine because the cell works quite slowly and by the time it reaches your goal setting for FC, you may have algae.
So test that CYA and follow the above chart to decide how much you need. Add that using PoolMath as your source for "how much" equals x amount of FC.

Set your SWG for 50% to begin with. When the pump is running, the cell will then generate FC for 50% of the hour time. If you find you're not making enough FC, either increase the pump hours or increase the percentage on the cell.

Make sense? If not, holler back.

Maddie

 

[YippeeSkippy]

ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
Recommended Levels
PoolMath <--older version of PoolMath but handy on a laptop

 

[lissajeen]

Helloooooo Lissajeen

So smart of you to get that great test kit I would suggest you run the CYA test as per the directions because it will guide you as to how much FC to strive for daily. FC/CYA Levels

With the new SWG cell in, you want to take your FC up with Liquid Chlorine because the cell works quite slowly and by the time it reaches your goal setting for FC, you may have algae.
So test that CYA and follow the above chart to decide how much you need. Add that using PoolMath as your source for "how much" equals x amount of FC.

Set your SWG for 50% to begin with. When the pump is running, the cell will then generate FC for 50% of the hour time. If you find you're not making enough FC, either increase the pump hours or increase the percentage on the cell.

Make sense? If not, holler back.

Maddie

Thanks for your quick reply Maddie!

So I just did the CYA test and the tube filled all the way to the top but I could still see the dot (it was a tiny bit cloudy, but still clearly visible). I checked my latest water test results from the pool store last Wed and they had me reading 1ppm. I did ask there about it and they said not to worry about stabilizing it until the chlorine levels are higher bc locking it in with them so low would make it harder to adjust.

So I'm not quite sure where that leaves me with the Liquid Chlorine. I don't even see the suggestions going as low as I have currently. I do have the PoolMath app but I don't see an option for liquid chlorine - is that the same as bleach?

I've set the AquaPure to 50% for now. How long would I give it to determine whether or not it's making enough chlorine?

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Yes, use that "term" but make sure you enter the correct strength.

Your pool store is clueless. With no CYA in the water, and a little sun, you would lose all that FC in an hour or so. The CYA stabilizer is as important to get right as the chlorine. It sounds like yours is very low... you really can't test accurately till >30ppm.

I'd say you could test the water 6 hours or so and see an increase in FC, assuming you started it off with liquid chlorine and then just let the SWG maintain that level. You just have to tweak the cell at first and as the seasons change you'll turn it up and down to meet your needs.

The testing is what tells you things are working correctly.

Maddie

 

[lissajeen]

Okay that makes sense re: the tweaking and testing for the output.

I did feel a little suspicious about the pool store’s response to the CYA levels
Considering that though, should I also be adding stabilizer along with the liquid chlorine? The SWG doesn’t create any stability either, correct?
I don’t believe I’ve ever addressed CYA at all so I’m not sure what the best way would be to get that up. Would it be advisable to increase them at the same time or focus on one before the other?

I really appreciate your patience with all my questions! It’s super helpful, especially learning that the pool store doesn’t in fact have all the answers.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

OH you definitely need to add enough to get you up to at least 70ppm of CYA now. Adding it now should last you most of the summer if you're lucky. You need to use PoolMath to tell you how much (in weight or volume) granular CYA to a sock or three, and hang them over a broom into the pool in front of a return. Don't let it sit on the walls. Squeeze it now and then to speed up the dissolving- it will be milky looking. This stuff is what holds your chlorine at the ready to help prevent cooties. A aSWG adds chlorine in small spurts so your CYA requirements are higher than someone who isn't using a SWG.

You then will only need to test for the CYA a few days after its dissolved (to confirm your level) and if its where you want it just test monthly after that. CYA only leaves the pool with water splash out or draining. Evaporation does not remove it. It does degrade very slowly on its own too.

Maddie

 

[lissajeen]

Thank you Maddie! I was literally opening a window to write a new post with some clarifying questions about the CYA.
I've been reading about the CYA/FC relationship with SWG, and I realize I need a higher CYA level. I used the Pool Math app and it says to raise my CYA from current - I have it set to 1ppm because that's what the pool store read, and I wasn't able to get a more specific reading with the test than "less than 30" (I filled the tube to the top and could still see the dot very clearly) - that it would take 16lb of dry stabilizer!!

16lb! Does that seem correct?! I just bought a 4lb bag thinking it would be enough. silly me!

I want to be cautious about raising the CYA too much, but it obviously needs a big boost.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Start slow if you feel there is some (more than 1ppm, I mean) And it sounds like there is. So add your 4#, which will help and in your locale you can go slow adding it in incriments over the next 2 weeks. Were you living in Texas I'd say get it in there a bit more aggressively!
You don't want to overshoot, but you really do need this stuff. Aim for 70. Four pounds at a time if you feel safer that way.

Maddie

 

[generessler]

Just a note on the AquaPure. I have one too. The manual explicitly says don't even run it with CYA less than 50. 50-75 is the allowed range unless the water is over 86F. Then they want 75-85! The procedure of starting at 50% and adjusting from there is also in the manual. It's pretty well written.

The other thing is to note the TFP Chlorine/CYA chart, the tab "Salt Water Generator" shows minimum 70 and the other good news is that around 4 ppm is the recommend FC. The lower value even with high CYA is said to be okay because all water passes through the cell where it's temporarily super-chlorinated. I've been successful through two seasons with those values. Starting the third, now.

Cheers and good luck!

 

[lissajeen]

Start slow if you feel there is some (more than 1ppm, I mean) And it sounds like there is. So add your 4#, which will help and in your locale you can go slow adding it in incriments over the next 2 weeks. Were you living in Texas I'd say get it in there a bit more aggressively!
You don't want to overshoot, but you really do need this stuff. Aim for 70. Four pounds at a time if you feel safer that way.

Maddie

I’m so down with the taking it slow approach! I appreciate it.

So as the CYA levels rise a little, I’m assuming I should continue adding liquid chlorine especially in light of generessler’s great catch re: CYA levels vs safety of running SWG. What should I be aiming for with FC as I’m shifting things around so much? Definitely will be turning the cell off until I read 50ppm.

 

[lissajeen]

Just a note on the AquaPure. I have one too. The manual explicitly says don't even run it with CYA less than 50. 50-75 is the allowed range unless the water is over 86F. Then they want 75-85! The procedure of starting at 50% and adjusting from there is also in the manual. It's pretty well written.

The other thing is to note the TFP Chlorine/CYA chart, the tab "Salt Water Generator" shows minimum 70 and the other good news is that around 4 ppm is the recommend FC. The lower value even with high CYA is said to be okay because all water passes through the cell where it's temporarily super-chlorinated. I've been successful through two seasons with those values. Starting the third, now.

Cheers and good luck!

Wow, great catch! Thank you. I’ll definitely be setting it to 0%! I’ll check the manual again - the learning curve is steep with all these systems! So grateful for this support here.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I've never heard anyone say that before....I wonder if anyone actually follows that "suggestion" on the AQUAPURE?