Can you confirm that my CSI is ok for vinyl pool?

[kne]

I took the financial hit this time around and paid for city water to fill the pool after a liner change, rather than using my well which has very high minerals.

Downfalls of using the city water seem to be that my CH levels are on the lower side (70). I don't want to add anything to raise them since the well CH is about 425 right out of the faucet and l will be using that to top off the pool going forward. (We are in yet another drought with added water surcharges now, so it will be all well this summer.) Same with salt, the well salt level is high, so I added enough to just get to 3,000 and it seems like SWG is working (turned it on for the first time this season a couple of hours ago), will test in an hour to see if it generated what it should have in a 3 hour run. It usually takes me a couple of gallons of MA to get the PH in a readable range, so that is definitely an upside of city water.

My logs should be showing up in my signature, but here is a screen shot. I'm 90% sure I am good to let this ride since I have a vinyl liner and no heater, but if I am understanding the science wrong, please let me know. Also, the time stamps for the logs are off in the web it looks like. About 7 hours ahead. It doesn't make a difference really, but for anyone curious, I was not adding salt at 2am, lol.

 

[Oly]

Looking at your PM logs I would recommend focusing more on your FC levels now .... FC/CYA Levels
Your negative CSI is not an issue with your system and will minimize any scale buildup on your SWCG cell.

 

[kne]

Looking at your PM logs I would recommend focusing more on your FC levels now .... FC/CYA Levels
Your negative CSI is not an issue with your system and will minimize any scale buildup on your SWCG cell.

You checked them too early, check again SWG is running as it should and I'm back up to 5

 

[Oly]

Confirm if this is correct, your CYA is 60ppm.
4 days ago FC 1ppm
3 days ago FC 3.2ppm
Yesterday FC 4.5ppm
3 hrs ago FC 2.5 ppm
Now FC 5 ppm

 

[Orion7319]

I don’t track CSI at all. I added some calcium hardness increaser up to 120 just to prevent foaming if any detergents gets into the pool. No real need for it though.

 

[Oly]

BoringDamo wrote the following regarding FC ppm targets in another thread today. Time to slam again?
Not sure you read it but it spells out how pool sanitation really works Check it out......

Each pool is different and unique and you will get to learn what your pool does and when. This is why there is a range.
The minimum isn’t a “minimum target” for dosing, it’s a “don’t ever let your pool get below this number”.
If your pool loses 3ppm per day then you want to target at least 7ppm so you won’t go below minimum. In reality most of us want some safety margin so we might even target 8 or 9ppm. As long as it’s below SLAM level it’s safe to swim.
Some events happen that affect FC loss more than normal, eg super sunny days (especially if you aren’t in one of the more sunny climates) or heavy bather load. When these things happen you need to still make sure you don’t go below minimum.
Know that your having a party? Maybe target a couple ppm higher than normal, or top up a couple after the party.
It’s your pool, how much you lose will be different to the next person but from regular testing you will work out what generally happens and what events make it abnormal loss for you.
However, the average loss seems to be 2-4ppm. If it does get higher than 4ppm and you pass an OCLT (ie it’s not algae making it higher) then you might think about a slightly higher CYA.

For me, I lose about 1-2ppm a day (Uk weather is generally rubbish and I run a solar cover). But I work away each day and can’t rely on my wife to do the testing and dosing (she does it sporadicallly). So I target 5ppm above minimum. That means I get a day where if a dose is missed it doesn’t matter plus a bit of leeway (my logical brain does 2 + 2 + 1 for 2 days dosing plus a bit)

 

[kne]

Confirm if this is correct, your CYA is 60ppm.
4 days ago FC 1ppm
3 days ago FC 3.2ppm
Yesterday FC 4.5ppm
3 hrs ago FC 2.5 ppm
Now FC 5 ppm

Ah, yes. But I should say that I just put a new liner in last weekend, finished filling it up Sunday, got the pump and filters running with no leaks Wednesday and turned on the SWG a few hours ago. SWG is now set to generate 3.5 ppm a night and I'll get that dialed in to what the pool is actually consuming daily. The chlorine I have my head wrapped around, just wanted to make sure that the low CH wouldn't be detrimental on my new liner and I could ignore the CSI suggestion to add CH to the water.

 

[Orion7319]

Ah, yes. But I should say that I just put a new liner in last weekend, finished filling it up Sunday, got the pump and filters running with no leaks Wednesday and turned on the SWG a few hours ago. SWG is now set to generate 3.5 ppm a night and I'll get that dialed in to what the pool is actually consuming daily. The chlorine I have my head wrapped around, just wanted to make sure that the low CH wouldn't be detrimental on my new liner and I could ignore the CSI suggestion to add CH to the water.

With the vinyl liner you have to worry about CH getting too high because of scale. You need to worry about PH getting very low, because that will cause the liner to wrinkle. You have to worry about bleaching it out, so never go above slam level. That’s about it…. Pretty easy… You might want to buy some liquid chlorine and add it though. The salt cells can’t bring your levels up quickly, they can maintain the levels once set. I think the other commenters are worried your going to get algae and want to see your levels set ASAP.

Calcium Hardness - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Oly]

Thanks for the full picture. My intention is to not put you on the spot. I simply want to help you recognize whats most important now at peak season.
You are on track for a Trouble Free Pool now and will catch yourself saying This really is quite simple.

 

[Newdude]

 

[Orion7319]

View attachment 421878

View attachment 421879

Sometimes…….. I got nothing better to do…..

 

[kne]

With the vinyl liner you have to worry about CH getting too high because of scale. You need to worry about PH getting very low, because that will cause the liner to wrinkle. You have to worry about bleaching it out, so never go above slam level.

Scale, wrinkles and bleaching is the problem I had with my last liner... also I hated it so I may of subconsciously sabotaged it's lifespan.

Thanks for the full picture. My intention is not be put you on the spot. I simply want to help you recognize whats most important now at peak season.
You are on track for a Trouble Free Pool now and will catch yourself saying This really is quite simple.

I never feel on the spot here. I look for all and any advice!

@Newdude Dude - I'm trying to have a healthy relationship with my pool this time around. No more neglecting, SLAMING, rinse, repeat. I want to make sure ALL of his needs are met. This includes CH!