- Nov 22, 2007
- 6
In ground pool installed 2000, 12,500 Gallons, Ormond Beach, FL, Aquarite SCG, solar, Caretaker 99 Plus cleaning system. 2003 replaced the Aquarite panel and cell - Can't remember exactly why - Last few months the display showed 2400 to 2500 salt and the "low salt" and "inspect cell" lights blinked repeatedly - Every time I tested water, it showed high chlorine. Water tested frequently by PinchaPenny showed the same thing. Called Aquarite and went through a complicated procedure with tech on phone pressing button next to display in various ways - They said initially that the # of 2400 wasn't bad - finally last week the tech said the blinking liqhts and salt # of 2400 indicated that the cell was "tired" and needed to be replaced. All this time I had been repeatedly cleaning the cell with 4 to 1 muriatic acid and adding salt. PinchaPenny kept saying the chlorine level was too high. Of course it was but it didn't indicate it on the panel. Neighbor has a similar pool with a Pentair Model 320 Automatic chlorine/bromine in line feeder. Keeps it on #2 and filled up. Liquid chlorine added to pool every couple of weeks. He tests water with Aquachek Select test strips and has a pool store check every two weeks. No problems in 8 years at a cost of about $ 1.50 per week. Decided at this point to sh..can the Aquarite system. Three days ago I had cleaned the cell and dumped the bucket I cleaned the unit in back in the pool. 3 gallons water and one gallon of muriatic acid. What a mistake as I found out when I tested the water with the strips. Had my pool guy install the above 320 unit yesterday and shut off my Acquarite unit. Bought an Aquacheck test strip kit and it showed Total Hardness at 1000 or close to it - Total chlorine at 10 - Free chlorine at 10 - PH at 6.6 - Total Alkalinity at betwen 20--40. Pool guy at the golf club said I'd have to get rid of the excess salt or I was going to have real trouble (He didn't explain). Said I'd need to drain the pool and start over. UGH!!! I can see the pool lifting up and/or a bill from the water Co. for $ 200.00. What am I going to do at this point? Signed: Ready to shoot myself!!!