I want to switch to a “real” SWG system

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Maddawglyfe

Maddawglyfe

Member
Jul 17, 2020
23
Raleigh, NC
I currently have a permasalt system I’ve read that it wasn’t so great but it was enough to get me through the first year. I didn’t have problems with it no green pool or anything. I did have a slick bottom once but I caught it early. Scrub & shock and it was ok. With the next season coming I was gonna try to switch to a true Salt system. What’s the best system that will fit in the same spot with little to no replumbing.

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Good news is that u have a union there so even if the one u get doesn’t fit exactly it won’t be hard to sort out. It may cost u a $1 or two in pvc from the hardware store.
I am not familiar with the measurements of the perma salt system off hand but when shopping for a new cell most list dimensions. You have plenty of space for one. The real question is what is your water volume? You will want to get a cell rated @ 2x’s your volume so for a 20k gal pool u want a cell rated @ 40k gal. Etc.
The cell size u need may narrow your search some.
Discount salt pool is a good place to get familiar with top brands & types- they have pretty good prices too.
Saltwater Swimming Pool Systems & Supplies | Discount Salt Pool
 
Folks here seem to like their CircuPool SWGs.

I can't recommend the one I use (Pentair IntelliChlor), as it is best paired with Pentair's automation systems. It loses some of its adjustability when run without automation.
 
I love me some Circupool and the newest one is really great.. I have an SJ 45 that has lasted 6 years now, last year I had to run it 2 hours longer so it is starting to go out.. I also run my free chlorine between 7 and 9 at all times so my SWG is always working harder than most...

here is the new one, and for 10 bucks more you can get the 55 and it has an 8 year warranty on it.. :)
www.discountsaltpool.com

CircuPool CORE-35 Salt Chlorine Generator | Discount Salt Pool

www.discountsaltpool.com www.discountsaltpool.com

here are all of the ones on sale now..

Best Sales, Rebates, Deals, and Promotions | DSP

www.discountsaltpool.com www.discountsaltpool.com
 
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Wow, no wonder everybody likes Circupool!

Just want to point out: for most (probably all) SWG systems, there is the initial startup price, which includes cell, transformer and/or controller and installation (which might be pro or DIY). And then there is the cell replacement cost when it wears out. So if the transformer/controller is still OK when the cell wears out, you wouldn't face that initial expense each time the cell wears out. And replacement of the cell is DIY if you are at all handy.

So when comparing brands and their prices, you'd want to take those two different numbers into account.
 
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@Dirk you are correct and that is the bonus for Circupool, they are 100% DIY and the 8 year warranty is valid for DIY... (1 month with Pentair for DIY)

Take that core 55, it costs $1308 for the transformer, brain and cell and its all in a nice little package.. It does 2.3 pounds of chlorine a day.. The Core 55 replacement cell is $440 right now and that is a great price... Yes, the SWG costs more upfront but your paying for years of chlorine in advance, so far 6 years of chlorine for my system.. It really gets cheap the second and third set of replacement cells, basically a brand new system for 1/3 of the price... :)

www.discountsaltpool.com

Circupool Core 55 Salt Chlorine Generator | Salt Water Chlorine Pool System

www.discountsaltpool.com www.discountsaltpool.com

www.discountsaltpool.com

CircuPool® CORE55 Replacement Salt Cell | DSP

www.discountsaltpool.com www.discountsaltpool.com

Here is a nice price comparison Compare and Review Saltwater Chlorine Generator Prices and Features | DSP
 
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Alright everyone I have the CircuPool Core -55 on the way. I purchased the primer, Glue, 20 x 40lb bags of salt and about 5ft of 2" PVC from Lowes . I hope I can figure out the plumbing but it seemed easy enough.

How early can I prep the pool ie add the salt? I was thinking May 1st. I'm in NC temps are starting to be in the 60's 70's still a little too chili for us but starting to warm up none the less
 
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The salt can go in anytime. Now is as good as any. Stir it up with the brush every 10 minutes and it will be gone by the 4th or so pass.

Aim low and work your way up to target. It may take a full day of circulation to see the results so Take. Your. Time. :)

If you haven't already, order a k-1766 to test before and after. Its good to +/- 200 ppm and the best thats out there. The pool store, guess strips or worse, the SWG itself just aren't reliable.
 
YippeeSkippy said:
Don't add any salt before you test the water for preexisting salt levels. You wouldn't want to over dose the salt.
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Ah, she beat me to it! It's a common mistake to calculate how much salt your pool will need without taking into account how much is already in there. Pools accumulate salt over time. It's a byproduct of liquid chlorine, pool acid and humans. Some pools can have near-SWG levels of salt before even adding the first bag! Mine was very close. So order that Taylor K-1766 right away. Don't use test strips for this.

Adding the salt well in advance of turning on the SWG for the first time is the way to go. You have to let the salt mix in really well before turning it on anyway. Several days minimum. I waited a week.

You're going to love a SWG pool!
 
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Dirk said:
Ah, she beat me to it! It's a common mistake to calculate how much salt your pool will need without taking into account how much is already in there. Pools accumulate salt over time. It's a byproduct of liquid chlorine, pool acid and humans. Some pools can have near-SWG levels of salt before even adding the first bag! Mine was very close. So order that Taylor K-1766 right away. Don't use test strips for this.

Adding the salt well in advance of turning on the SWG for the first time is the way to go. You have to let the salt mix in really well before turning it on anyway. Several days minimum. I waited a week.

You're going to love a SWG pool!
Click to expand...
Thanks for all the info everyone. I will get the k-1766 ordered today. I willing to bet I'm pretty low on salt. Last year was our first year with a pool and with Perma salt they only give you 1 40lb bag of salt. My SWG won't be here until next week I just didn't know how much in advance should i start trying to prep the water. We probably won't be trying to get in for another 41 days. I noticed that Lowes had all the pool stuff back out so as a newbie I didn't want to be late to the party trying to get my water stable.
 
Well today I did I a thing! Test my salt and it was 1000 according to the app I needed to add 13 bags of salt. Got my plumbing redone and fitted in the SWG. I had a slight leak on the right collar so I removed the SWG and reseated everything making it as hand tight as I could. Tada 🎉 no leak. I’ll check water chemistry tomorrow and possibly power on the SWG!
 

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Oooh, that's interesting! I've never seen that model SWG with the controller directly on the cell like that. Cool. I take it you can read the settings on your phone or is there a separate monitor on the pool equipment wall?

Maddie :flower:
 

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