Has anyone switched from SWG to liquid chlorine or a floater?

[Rich G]

My SWG has broke and it’s very expensive to replace it. In the interim I’ve been using liquid chlorine but was thinking of switch to a floater with the chlorine tablets.

Has anyone done that, and do they regret it?

 

[ajw22]

do they regret it?

You may regret the CYA accumulation and the resulting need to drain the pool periodically to keep CYA below 80.

 

[Newdude]

You get 50+ inches of annual rain in FL, so you will get away with it a little longer, but it's not sustainable long term. Every puck adds more CYA, requiring more chlorine to sanitize at the same level. Which requires more pucks for more chlorine and raises the CYA even more.

Each 8 oz tab will affect you by these #s

 

[an1vrsy]

I do not know your sources of liquid chlorine in FL. However, if the prices of pucks is the same there as they are here in Las Vegas or online, I would be looking for liquid.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Rich,

The overall cost to chlorinate a pool is roughly the same no matter how you do it. With tabs and Liquid chlorine, you pay as you go. With a SWCG you pay up front for 5 to 7 years of chlorine all at once.

It is a pay me now, or pay me later kind of thing.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[generessler]

Depending on your current CYA level, you can use tabs until it approaches 80, which is a good level for the SWG. Hopefully the $ have come together for the SWG replacement by then.

I have a SWG and never buy CYA except for Trichlor tabs. The tabs are handy for me because they lower ph, too, which means none of the MA dosing my pool normally needs. So I switch back and forth a few times a year.

 

[trivetman]

In my experience, a floater will not dissolve pucks quickly enough to maintain levels by itself. They dissolve much slower than they would inside a plumbed in chlorinator with water flowing through.

Cya problems aside, be prepared to have to have something in addition to a floater.

 

[Rich G]

Rich,

No repair is possible. Salt cells in general are consumables.

You use them until they are used up, or break, and then they get replaced.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thank you, that’s bad to hear

You may regret the CYA accumulation and the resulting need to drain the pool periodically to keep CYA below 80.

Thank you

I do not know your sources of liquid chlorine in FL. However, if the prices of pucks is the same there as they are here in Las Vegas or online, I would be looking for liquid.

Thank you. Chlorine here is about $7 for 2.5gallons

Rich,

The overall cost to chlorinate a pool is roughly the same no matter how you do it. With tabs and Liquid chlorine, you pay as you go. With a SWCG you pay up front for 5 to 7 years of chlorine all at once.

It is a pay me now, or pay me later kind of thing.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thank you, I didn’t think of it that way. The biggest benefit for me is not having to check the water every couple days to confirm the chlorine levels.

Depending on your current CYA level, you can use tabs until it approaches 80, which is a good level for the SWG. Hopefully the $ have come together for the SWG replacement by then.

I have a SWG and never buy CYA except for Trichlor tabs. The tabs are handy for me because they lower ph, too, which means none of the MA dosing my pool normally needs. So I switch back and forth a few times a year.

Thank you. My CYA is low so maybe I could use tablets for a few months to help raise my CYA rather than buy stabilizer. I had no idea they had that effect.

 

[Bperry]

Liquid chlorine is fine. All the issues highlighted above are for the tablets. If you can get 2.5gallons for $7 I’d go get it ASAP before the store realizes how cheap they’re selling it.

 

[an1vrsy]

Just as a comparison, my local Lowes has 2 packs of 10% liquid chlorine for sale at $11.98. I bought two. I would love to find a source of chlorine for 2.5 gallon refillable jugs, especially at $7.

Until March of next year, I will be lugging jugs cuz the SWG is off, pool water is too cold at 52 degrees.

 

[Newdude]

Mine just quit the other day. I should be thrilled it hung on this long, but jug lugging.

 

[generessler]

In my experience, a floater will not dissolve pucks quickly enough to maintain levels by itself. They dissolve much slower than they would inside a plumbed in chlorinator with water flowing through.

Cya problems aside, be prepared to have to have something in addition to a floater.

Ymmv. My pool is shaded well, and much of the time a floater is in use the water is colder than 60F.

I've also found tremendous variability in tabs. With one brand I had to add one tab at a time and completely close the ports of the floater to keep the level from getting too high. Leakage was the only path for chlorine to get out. With another they had be fully open with 2 or 3 tabs.

 

[PoolStored]

Mine just quit the other day. I should be thrilled it hung on this long, but jug lugging.

Isn't this a new pool (cell)?

 

[Newdude]

Isn't this a new pool (cell)?

Yes. It quit from the cold, which is kinda insane that it made it to mid November in NY.

My parting gift was that evidentally the UV loss slowed the last couple days and my starting FC is now 13.5. It may hold up without me having to put on pajamas so I can blend in at Walmart to buy bleach.

 

[Ahultin]

Edit - I was too slow lol

 

[PoolStored]

Yes. It quit from the cold, which is kinda insane that it made it to mid November in NY.

Ahhhh, I read it as "Failed," because the OP's cell broke.

 

[Katodude]

The OP is in West Palm Beach. As @Newdude said between rainfall and his water temperature he will be able to use tabs for an extended period of time. In the summer as pool temps go approach 90 and the rains are usually persistent (not this year) tabs will be easier to use. I used over 30lbs of CYA this year (and had trouble keeping up and should have used more). Currently need to add more due to the recent hurricane. I would not recommend it this time of year as the water temp drops but it can be part of a management process.

Leslies around here sells the 2.5 gallon jugs for $7. Pay attention for coupons, they are much rarer now but still happen.

The key will be testing. The water is cold now and the sun is not as strong so the pool will use less chlorine. Tabs will also dissolve slower. Keep an eye on your FC and CYA levels and you should be fine. Lose sight of your numbers and problems occur.

 

[setsailsoon]

My SWG has broke and it’s very expensive to replace it. In the interim I’ve been using liquid chlorine but was thinking of switch to a floater with the chlorine tablets.

Has anyone done that, and do they regret it?

I think everybody has addressed the cost/benefit well. I ran my salt system on liquid chlorine and chlorine pucks occasionally and had no detrimental effects. Overall I loved the salt system and would never go without one again. When I ran LC and pucks it was because I was doing major changes to the control system and/or just using up pucks that I didn't want to store. We're supposed to be heading into the dry season for Florida so you'll need to watch your CYA level with pucks this time of year. I say "supposed" because we just went through the latest hurricane I remember. But to answer your question I don't think you'll have any issues other than the CYA. I think the net cost of LC and pucks is now slightly higher than SWG overall but it is close. Paying all the cost up front can be an issue also so I get why you are considering this.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

Chris

 

[ajw22]

The biggest benefit for me is not having to check the water every couple days to confirm the chlorine levels.

The key will be testing. The water is cold now and the sun is not as strong so the pool will use less chlorine. Tabs will also dissolve slower. Keep an eye on your FC and CYA levels and you should be fine. Lose sight of your numbers and problems occur.

 

[djdonte]

I only use tabs and a floater if I'm going on vacation in the winter. Continued use of tabs will cause high CYA and you will be draining water 1-2 times a year. Not to mention tabs have skyrocketed in price once due to the chemical plant fire in Louisiana, and again due to general inflation. LC is readily available at most big box stores. It did get more pricey but not as bad. Honestly, I would cough up to get a new cell before I would go back to dosing with LC all the time. Someone else can chime in but I believe there are vendors that give TFP supports a discount. Also Discount Salt Pool sells salt cells to fit most major brands. I have a Cirupool system from them and I am happy with it. There is a 7 year prorated warranty that I have used and really not many others will warranty a DIY installation.

I see you are in Florida, so for the rest of winter your FC demand should be very low. I use 1/2gal of 10 percent 1-2 times a week when its cold. I would do that while you save for cell to use when it gets warm again.