Starting Up With Salt

[elhsrh93]

Draining our pool and getting ready to clean and refill. Last year I attempted to start using salt, but didn't have much luck. We wound up with algae, possibly because I did not add bleach while waiting for the SWG to start generating chlorine. I added a ton of bleach (before finding TFP) and created oxidized iron. The pool was usable, but not always pretty.

The instructions that came with our SWG says to let the filter pump run 24 hours before turning on the SWG. Then I assume it takes some time for chlorine to be generated.

Should I add bleach as soon as the pool is filled to prevent algae before the SWG is generating chlorine?

Thanks in advance for any advice given!

 

[tim5055]

Yes, give it a hand. Add chlorine to desired level so the SWCG only needs to maintain the level, not work hard to get there.

 

[ping]

You will also want to add 4lbs. of CYA with all new water. This will help protect the chlorine from burning off from the sun.

 

[elhsrh93]

Thank you!

The paperwork that came with the pool says that it is 6,423 gallons (90% of wall height), but by calculation a 18 ft x 48 in pool is 7,600 gallons. Which water amount should I go by when using Pool Math?

 

[duraleigh]

6423 accounts for the actual height(depth) of your water. Use that.

 

[elhsrh93]

Finished filling the pool about 3:30 this morning.

Started the pump about 8:30 and added 4 lbs. CYA about 9:30 via sock method.

The water is clear, but kinda of has a yellow tint.

FC = 5.5

I will run a full set of test this evening.

My plan is to add 160 lbs of salt sometime today so that I can start the SWCG tomorrow after work. (Unless someone advises differently.) We ended up turning off the SWCG last summer and just using bleach.

Our city water is TERRIBLE! Last year we fought an iron problem all summer and wound up using Metal Magic. I'm wondering if iron is causing the yellow tint? Is this a reason not to use salt?

 

[elhsrh93]

After last year's experience with iron, I'm pretty certain our yellow water is the result of high iron content. The yellow color is actually lighter than what the pictures show. The filter is after only about 4 hours of use.

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[elhsrh93]

White paper towel after being in the skimmer basket for 1 1/2 hours.

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[elhsrh93]

Any thoughts on using salt with the apparent high iron content?

 

[elhsrh93]

Numbers at 6:00 tonight:

FC 5 - added 29 oz bleach - Target 8 with CYA of 70 and unsure about using SWCG
CC 0.5
CH 50
TA 40 - added 45 oz baking soda
pH 6.8 - waiting to recheck TA and pH tomorrow before adjusting
CYA estimated 75 (Added 4 lbs CYA this morning via sock method.)

Still questioning using salt with high iron content???? Please advise.

 

[pooldv]

Those are definitely all signs of iron. I am not aware of any issues with using salt with iron in the water. Some people have better luck stuffing polyfill pillow stuffing in the skimmer to capture iron.

More on metals here, Pool School - Metals in the Water and Metal Stains

 

[elhsrh93]

Thanks pooldv. I used the polyfill a lot last year and it did help.

I added approximately 20 ozs of Wal-Mart's hth Metal and Stain Defense this morning. Came home from work to a pretty, clear, blue pool.

I plan to add salt tomorrow evening.

 

[elhsrh93]

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[pooldv]

Nice! That is what it is all about!

 

[elhsrh93]

Just added 160 lbs salt. Pump is running. I will start the SWCG tomorrow evening.

 

[pooldv]

Be sure to brush a bit tonight and again in the AM before you turn on the SWG to make sure the salt is well mixed.

 

[elhsrh93]

Water woes continue ......

I gave up on the cartridge filter and switched a sand filter yesterday. Got the new pump/filter installed and everything seemed good. We could tell a big difference this morning as far as water color goes. The new pump/filter seemed to be doing a really good job on filtering out the iron.

Went to church and came home to a cracked hose and the water level was down about 2 feet. Turned off the pump, changed the hose and started filling the pool. I just went out to start the pump back and now sand is blowing into the pool. I turned off the pump, changed setting to Rinse and started the pump again until the water ran clear out the drain hose. Turned off pump, switched back to filter and started again. Still blew a ton of sand into the pool.

Any thoughts or advice????????

Update.....

Backwashed to clear, rinsed to clear ... all seems to be good again!!!!

 

[elhsrh93]

Yesterday we lost about 9 - 12 inches of water due to a crack in a hose. Now our SWCG is indicating low salt.

I have no idea how much salt I need to add?????????

 

[pooldv]

I would add about 1/2 of a 40lb bag. Brush it and wait 48 hours and add more if it still says low salt.

 

[elhsrh93]

Thanks pooldv. I added 1/2 bag of salt and brushed. I also added bleach to keep the FC up.

I brushed again this morning and will let the SWCG run for 4 hours.

These little issues are really testing my POP!