Questions on Switching Over

Ebburns · Jul 18, 2021

Okay I'm a Newb on this... so here goes.

Hopefully my signature is updated properly. Approximately 4300ish gallons Summer Waves (14×48 round). Bought my salt (3-40# bags) from "start up chart" in SWG manual. I'm placing an order for the K-1766 and a couple other regents from my TF-100 that are low probably tomorrow so... it will take a few to get my order.

Question is.. how imperative is it for me to measure my waters salt level prior? I'd like to start dissolving my salt in my water today and maybe get my SWG plumbed in tomorrow and fire it up. So the 2nd part of my question is since going over on the salt level is not good is being under okay as long as I'm testing my FC as I go and maintaining target/minimum levels by supplementing with liquid chlorine and slowly adding salt as needed. This will allow me time to raise my CYA over the next day or 2 which is now at 40.

Am I thinking of this right? Or is it an absolute must to have my CYA at 70 before firing up the new SWG? Which by the way is not a fancy one. I bought on clearance from Summer Waves (Polygroup) so hopefully it works!!

I reached out to TFtestkirs via email and have had a not so great email exchange with that company when I asked what I needed to buy and he (Dave) has been slightly rude to me. So coming to you all for help (AS USUAL). I will still get my order in for my supplies with them but was wondering if anyone else has had a not so great experience? He said my pool was the hardest pool he has ever tried to figure out and all I was asking was can I slowly start to put some salt in prior to getting my k-1766 shipped. And said I refused to test even though sent him my CYA measurement.

Anywho... can I start dissolving this stuff and have the unit fired up tomorrow even if the unit solely isn't the only chlorine getting in the pool as I wait on my kit and get the unit self sufficient? Does my question make sense? I have 3 bags of salt sitting here and I'd like to getting the ball rolling.

proavia · Jul 18, 2021

I would suggest you put your order in today. That way it should ship tomorrow. No use waiting as you are going to order anyway.

I would wait for the K-1766 to arrive so you have an accurate salt reading before adding any more. Just continue to chlorinate using liquid. Once you have an accurate salt reading and add the salt to get to your required level, you will need to circulate the pool wayer for 24 hours for the salt to mix in throughout the pool. If the salt level is then good, you can start the SWG. You have been manually chlorinating, waiting a few more days isn't a big deal.

As for TFTestkits, I have always had great interactions and stellar customer service from them. While Dave can sometimes be blunt, his intentions are pure. He wants you to have a trouble free pool. But he also needs to have accurate data from you to advise you of a way forward.

Are you using PoolMath? If not, suggest you download the app and start using it. Be sure to share your PoolMath logs from within the app so we can see them here. This will help with ahy advise we may provide.

What are your current test results?
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Water temp
Salt - unknown at this time.

Update your signature with your current pool, pool equipment and testkit. Currently uou have two different pool volumes shown, one in your profile on the left and another in your signature.

PoolGate · Jul 18, 2021

If it is a new fill, you can assume the salt level is low to non existent and I would put in maybe 80% of what poolmath said you need for your volume of water. The level of salt is either in range, or not for your SWG. It has nothing to do with the chlorine output meaning if you have just a little bit of salt there will be NO chlorine production until you meet the threshold for your SWG. Your saltwater generator should be able to detect if you have the proper amount of salt. The K-1766 is the best test for how much salt you have and need to add, however.

CYA is immaterial to the function of the SWG. It cares not if you have CYA in the water or not. CYA level tells you what chlorine level you should maintain.

You should continue with liquid chlorine until your SWG is properly functioning.

Ebburns · Jul 18, 2021

proavia said:
I would suggest you put your order in today. That way it should ship tomorrow. No use waiting as you are going to order anyway.

I would wait for the K-1766 to arrive so you have an accurate salt reading before adding any more. Just continue to chlorinate using liquid. Once you have an accurate salt reading and add the salt to get to your required level, you will need to circulate the pool wayer for 24 hours for the salt to mix in throughout the pool. If the salt level is then good, you can start the SWG. You have been manually chlorinating, waiting a few more days isn't a big deal.

As for TFTestkits, I have always had great interactions and stellar customer service from them. While Dave can sometimes be blunt, his intentions are pure. He wants you to have a trouble free pool. But he also needs to have accurate data from you to advise you of a way forward.

Are you using PoolMath? If not, suggest you download the app and start using it. Be sure to share your PoolMath logs from within the app so we can see them here. This will help with ahy advise we may provide.

What are your current test results?
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Water temp
Salt - unknown at this time.

Update your signature with your current pool, pool equipment and testkit. Currently uou have two different pool volumes shown, one in your profile on the left and another in your signature.

Yes I use the pool math but I use the website. I'll get the app going this week. I love it so much! It is my saving grace lol.

FC - 5ish this morning (used the less accurate reader in the little blue box this morning)
CC - less that .5
PH - appears to be at 7.2
TA - haven't tested yet since opening 2 weeks ago I had to drain once to make paver adjustments) but last year my number was sky high and I was told to not monkey with it since my PH was good ...at least I think that's what they said.
CH- Haven't tested just yet as I also remember from last year was told since I'm in vinyl it's not going to leach. I will test this those tomorrow if you all feel it's imperative.

I'll try to get my test for salt ordered. Sunday is just a very busy day for me.

So from what you're saying I did not understand a SWG to work like that. So it doesn't produce ANY salt until its within the units needed range?

mknauss · Jul 18, 2021

Ebburns said:
So it doesn't produce ANY salt until its within the units needed range?

The SWCG does not produce salt. It creates chlorine and hydrogen gas via electrolysis of the salt and water. Once the chlorine is expended in the pool water, it reverts to salt.

The SWCG must have a certain level of salinity in the water to operate. There is a range (shown in your manual) for your specific SWCG to keep the salinity in.

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Questions on Switching Over

Ebburns

Well-known member

proavia

PoolGate

Ebburns

Well-known member

mknauss

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