I didn’t add Chlorine before I started my SWG, how much trouble am I in?
- Thread starter CelesteLincoln
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,028
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Then we better do some back-tracking. I suspect there's a testing error. Hopefully your testing is as follows:
10 ML water sample size with ONE heaping/generous scoop pf (R-870) powder. Start stirring and counting (R-0871) drops until clear. Take that number and divide in half. Example - 20 drops equals an FC of 10. Is that how you were doing it?
Huh, no. My instructions look like the attached; I used the 25 mL sample. I’m going to try a retest with 10 mL.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,028
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Ha ha. Yeah, your were using the 25 ML x 0.2 formula from Taylor. It's a very precise method that requires more powder (2 scoops). No need for that one anymore. The 10 ML is plenty accurate, and the math at the end is much easier. 
Oh my lord, I’m so embarrassed!!! I totally messed that test up! Completely user error. Either way, I retested and we are at 7 FC and .5 CC! Should I go for a little more to get it to the 8-10 range?
Ha ha. Yeah, your were using the 25 ML x 0.2 formula from Taylor. It's a very precise method that requires more powder (2 scoops). No need for that one anymore. The 10 ML is plenty accurate, and the math at the end is much easier.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,028
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Ha ha. Okay, that's your one & only math error allowed for 2022. 
Yes, I would go ahead and increase the FC by another 3 ppm. Then later this evening check again to make sure it's in that 8-10 range. Finally, once it's dark/before bed, run part 1 of your Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. Be sure to take the 2nd test tomorrow morning before the sun hits the water. SWG should be off and I would leave the pump on (low speed/rpm is fine).
Yes, I would go ahead and increase the FC by another 3 ppm. Then later this evening check again to make sure it's in that 8-10 range. Finally, once it's dark/before bed, run part 1 of your Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. Be sure to take the 2nd test tomorrow morning before the sun hits the water. SWG should be off and I would leave the pump on (low speed/rpm is fine).
Oh alright, no more math errors for me! 
Thank you! I will get it up there! And report back tomorrow!
Thank you! I will get it up there! And report back tomorrow!
Oh alright, no more math errors for me!
Thank you! I will get it up there! And report back tomorow
Ha ha. Okay, that's your one & only math error allowed for 2022.
Good morning!
Last nights tests;
8.5 FC
.5 CC
This morning’s results;
8.5 FC
.5 CC
This is good news, correct? This means I do not have an algae problem?
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,042
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Correct! Congrats!
Now, turn your SWCG on/up to keep your FC up to your CYA level: FC/CYA Levels
With CYA of 70, until you learn your pool better, keep your FC closer to 7-8. When you learn how much it uses daily, you will be better able to adjust it.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,028
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
That is outstanding!
You seemed to have dodged the algae bullet. So now we can go back to the SWG and try to figure out if it's working properly. You mentioned earlier that it was just recently activated, so at this point I would turn it back on. Not boost, just a good output and pump runtime combination that should provide you with about 2-3 ppm of free chlorine in 24 hrs. The PoolMath APP has a great tool for that under the "Effects of Adding" section. Just keep notes that today you are starting off with an FC of 8.5. If your SWG is set to provide about 2-3 ppm of FC, your FC "should" remain about the same by this time tomorrow.Phew! Thank you so much for all your help! I’ll get that squared away today and see how it goes! Fingers crossed!That is outstanding!
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,019
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
To help u determine run time - which unit do u have? There’s one rated for 6k gal & one rated for 15k gal.
Look for a model number on the outside of the unit (it’s usually a silver sticker) or share the link to what u purchased.
Look for a model number on the outside of the unit (it’s usually a silver sticker) or share the link to what u purchased.
red-beard
Gold Supporter
- May 27, 2019
- 1,624
- Pool Size
- 25000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite Pro (T-15)
One thing you need to check is your FC loss during the day. With the SWG off, check in the morning (before sunrise) and then again, the next day at the same time. You are not losing any FC overnight so you could test in the evening after sundown. The difference in the reads is your daily chlorine demand. This is the loss due to sunlight and bather demand.
Using Pool Math, click on the 3 bars in the upper left corner, then "Effects of Adding". Change the chemical type until you see SWG. IN the "24 Hour SWG Output" box, use the little magnifying glass to locate your salt cell (manufacturer and model). The number should now be populated. Under "What would you like to calculate", select SWG Cell %. Put in your pump run time and daily chlorine demand. It should output the % your SWG should be set.
You should re-run this test at least monthly, as the demand will change over the summer. I run my pump 24 hours a day (at a lower speed, but enough to activate the salt cell!) and the SWG is set to 27%. People with single speed pumps, it is better to calculate "Pump Run Time" with the SWG set to 100%, to minimize pump run time (and power consumption).
Remember, when you have a high bather load, you need more FC.
Using Pool Math, click on the 3 bars in the upper left corner, then "Effects of Adding". Change the chemical type until you see SWG. IN the "24 Hour SWG Output" box, use the little magnifying glass to locate your salt cell (manufacturer and model). The number should now be populated. Under "What would you like to calculate", select SWG Cell %. Put in your pump run time and daily chlorine demand. It should output the % your SWG should be set.
You should re-run this test at least monthly, as the demand will change over the summer. I run my pump 24 hours a day (at a lower speed, but enough to activate the salt cell!) and the SWG is set to 27%. People with single speed pumps, it is better to calculate "Pump Run Time" with the SWG set to 100%, to minimize pump run time (and power consumption).
Remember, when you have a high bather load, you need more FC.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,019
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
@red-beard
There is only one intex model listed in poolmath (an older version) although there are multiple. Hopefully the op will reply with what version he has as it takes some math to determine the output of those models.
There is only one intex model listed in poolmath (an older version) although there are multiple. Hopefully the op will reply with what version he has as it takes some math to determine the output of those models.
red-beard
Gold Supporter
- May 27, 2019
- 1,624
- Pool Size
- 25000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite Pro (T-15)
The Intex "Krystal Clean" value of 0.63 seems like it would be about right for a 7000 gallon pool. But he definitely should review his exact model.
Copy and pasted from the listing;
Brand New Intex Krystal Clear Saltwater System Model 26669EG! Designed specifically for Intex Above Ground Swimming Pools up to 15, 000 Gallons, Intex Saltwater System 26669EG. 3 self-clean modes available, 6/10/14-hr cycles. Chlorine output: 12g/hr. 24 hr. auto-clock cycle
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,019
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
So in lbs/ hr that looks like this
Then multiply that by 24 & you get
0.633 lbs/day
When entered into PoolMath effects of adding w/your pool volume,
It looks like 7-8 hrs/day should be a good place to start .
The average residential pool uses 2-4ppm of fc/day.
Its only this complicated because intex uses grams/hr instead of lbs/day like every other manufacturer.
Thank you!! I would have never figured that out myself! The Intex SWG manual says at my current air temp I would be running it for only 3-4 hours. That is quite a difference! I did check my FC level this afternoon when I got home and it dropped by 2 (8.5 this morning, 6.5 this afternoon). I plan to set it later tonight so it runs nightly. I hope to eventually stop running my pump 24/7 but for now and until I get comfortable with everything, it will stay 24/7. Please let me know if this sounds like a good plan.So in lbs/ hr that looks like this
View attachment 417685
Then multiply that by 24 & you get
0.633 lbs/day
When entered into PoolMath effects of adding w/your pool volume,
It looks like 7-8 hrs/day should be a good place to start .
The average residential pool uses 2-4ppm of fc/day.
View attachment 417687
Its only this complicated because intex uses grams/hr instead of lbs/day like every other manufacturer.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,019
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
So long as u run the pump long enough for the swg to produce the fc you need its fine & likely plenty.
Be sure to stagger the pump & swg run times so the pump comes on before the swg & the swg goes off before the pump or else u will have a low flow condition & your swg will fail to run. Aka - turn on the pump & set it for 10hrs then an hour later turn on the swg & set it for 8hrs - this way u have a buffer where the pump is running for an hour before & after the swg is set so u know u will have flow.
You will need to be sure to reset this incase of power failure as those units do not reset themselves & will just remain off.
I personally like mine to skim while I’m awake & i am likely to be looking at/using the pool so I run my pump mostly during the day. From 9am to 9pm. Its probably overkill.
Be sure to stagger the pump & swg run times so the pump comes on before the swg & the swg goes off before the pump or else u will have a low flow condition & your swg will fail to run. Aka - turn on the pump & set it for 10hrs then an hour later turn on the swg & set it for 8hrs - this way u have a buffer where the pump is running for an hour before & after the swg is set so u know u will have flow.
You will need to be sure to reset this incase of power failure as those units do not reset themselves & will just remain off.
I personally like mine to skim while I’m awake & i am likely to be looking at/using the pool so I run my pump mostly during the day. From 9am to 9pm. Its probably overkill.