Low salt warning - inconsistent Taylor test results

[UnderWaterVanya]

When I tested early in the opening I had a salt level of 1200-1400 based on Taylor drop testing. A few weeks passed and I added 80lbs of salt and remeasured again getting a total over 5000! This result makes zero sense. Additionally when I tried engaging the system I get a low salt warning.

According to pool math adding 80lbs should have moved the salt up about 700ppm. In addition I’ve had enough backwash cycles to drop the cya from 50 (over did an adjustment) back to 30.

Last year I closed with salt in the 3500ppm range and other than some bleach and CalHypo and baking soda and cya nothing has been added outside the 80lbs so 5000 isn’t rational.

Ideas?

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

Are the digital saltwater testers any use?

 

[Mdragger88]

When you tested the 1st time had the water been circulating for at least 24 hours?
Also, double check that you’re using 10mls of water. Each drop = 200ppm

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

When you tested the 1st time had the water been circulating for at least 24 hours?
Also, double check that you’re using 10mls of water. Each drop = 200ppm

10? I may have used 25. Lol. Need to check again this afternoon. As far as the water - yes I had it circulating at least a few days. But I now wonder if I was using the wrong amount.

This set of instructions says use 25ml:

https://www.recsupply.com/RSC/Documents/Taylor-Technologies/K-1766-Instructions-5031.pdf

 

[dfwnoob]

No, it says:

Rinse and fill 25 mL sample tube (#9198) to 10 mL mark with water to be tested.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

No, it says:

Rinse and fill 25 mL sample tube (#9198) to 10 mL mark with water to be tested.

Alrighty. I’ll double check this afternoon! Thank you.

 

[Bperry]

Alrighty. I’ll double check this afternoon! Thank you.

It’s a super common error we all make that gives the same result. Super frustrating I know, as I’ve done it several time. Do the test again with the 10ml water sample.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

It’s a super common error we all make that gives the same result. Super frustrating I know, as I’ve done it several time. Do the test again with the 10ml water sample.

Interestingly the math worked. 5000/2.5=2000 which is what a 10ml sample showed this afternoon. So glad to know what’s happening. I’m still really confused how it went down from 3000+ to 1200 over the winter since it wasn’t running and while some water fell in we didn’t pump any out. I’m guessing it overflowed some but I don’t live here and can’t say for sure. I’ll be more attentive this year.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

3-5 bags of salt going in soon. Likely starting with 4 which should put me at about 3400ppm.

 

[Mdragger88]

I hate those instructions! It almost gets me every time. Especially if it’s been a while.

 

[randytsuch]

I put a sharpie line on my sw test tube. Line is hard to see anyway.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

Salt is up to 3200ppm but it could be slightly higher - will check again soon. Thanks all.

 

[wayner]

Interestingly the math worked. 5000/2.5=2000 which is what a 10ml sample showed this afternoon. So glad to know what’s happening. I’m still really confused how it went down from 3000+ to 1200 over the winter since it wasn’t running and while some water fell in we didn’t pump any out. I’m guessing it overflowed some but I don’t live here and can’t say for sure. I’ll be more attentive this year.

I am in Toronto and my pool is closed and covered for the winter. Upon closing about 1 foot of water is pumped out of the pool to get it below the jets. Through the winter the pool completely fills up due to rain and melted snow. In the spring when the pool is opened some water is pumped out so that the pool is at the correct level - about half way down the skimmer. But the salt level is too low since the saltwater from last season was diluted due to the rainwater and snow. I was at about 2400 ppm on salt so I added about 60kg of salt to my pool. I also generally have to add a lot of CYA.

 

[Newdude]

I’m guessing it overflowed some but I don’t live here and can’t say for sure.

You average about 2 ft of rain each off season, which has to overflow somewhere. It also makes a considerable dent in the pool levels.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

You average about 2 ft of rain each off season, which has to overflow somewhere. It also makes a considerable dent in the pool levels.

You both make a good point. I did lower the water to below the returns and that’s at least a foot.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

This is year two with my swg and last year was a short season due to a liner replacement that delayed opening.

I’m seeing cloudy water due to bubbles from the jets when I test the swg. The cloudiness dissipates over time but it’s weird looking.

I’m aware this can be “normal” under some circumstances. But I don’t recall seeing it last year.

Also - yes I’m adding cya in that sock; the clouds go away if the swg is off.

 

[RookiePick]

Can you vary your pump speed at all?

 

[Turbo1Ton]

I’m seeing cloudy water due to bubbles from the jets when I test the swg. The cloudiness dissipates over time but it’s weird looking.

If I see your photos correctly, you have the CYA filled sock hanging in front of the return. The cloudiness you are seeing is the CYA being dissolved into the water.

--Jeff

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

If I see your photos correctly, you have the CYA filled sock hanging in front of the return. The cloudiness you are seeing is the CYA being dissolved into the water.

--Jeff

Jeff I directly addressed that. It happens without the sock there. And with the sock there it doesn’t happen with the swg off. It’s very quick reacting; less than a minute to start or stop.

 

[UnderWaterVanya]

Can you vary your pump speed at all?

No. Single speed pump. 1.5” pipe. I’ve tried a two speed pump in the past - it worked ok but that’s not in play at this time.