Another Baquacil to Salt Conversion with several questions.

[RidingMann]

After a really long day of cleaning up the mess. This is where we are this morning.

The TF100 should be here soon and we can start this process over, the correct way.



The little bit of goo seen on the bottom has since been cleaned up by Henry, moms pool boy (polaris 9550).

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Well that's looking better!

Make sure you clean the "mom's pool boy" out well too when done.

Maddie

 

[jimmythegreek]

In future you can use marine sealant on the backside where it's not seen. 3M 5200 is the tightest seal possible. If its in front tape all the edges and use clear silicone then smooth and pull tape fast makes it look perfect

 

[RidingMann]

Well, we're only 28 hours into this thing (take 2- the right way) and the pool looks amazing! We've held steady at 15 ppm FC for the last 4 hours.
It's amazing at how fast this goes when you follow the directions! We checked and dosed almost every hour today.

I'm anticipating that we'll not lose more than 1 ppm tonight and move on to the next step tomorrow. My plan is to change the sand in the filter again tomorrow since the goo stage appears to be over.

My question is, at what point and how do we add salt and start using the SWG?

 

[ajw22]

Holding CL level and no more goo. Add salt after you clean the filter. Wait 24 hours then turn on SWG.

 

[mickey4paws]

Looking good! After you've added the salt, as recommended, wait 24 hours to turn on the SWG. Remember after you add the salt, you want to run the filter those 24 hours before turning on the SWG.

 

[RidingMann]

I just got a call that I have to go back to GA for work. Here is my question(s).
The pool looks amazing. Crystal Clear. Last night we still lost 5.5 (8.5hrs) ppm FC. And of course during the sunny part of the day we're having to dose 4 or so jugs (6% 121 Fl ouces) every hour.

Finally to my question-
The panel on the SWG says the salt is 3500 (power is on, but we do not have switched to chlorinate), but the test strips that came with the SWG says it's 2300 ppm. Does the SWG actually have an accurate reading when it's not generating?
Also, mom cant lift the bags of salt. I need to leave in the next few hours. Would it hurt to go ahead and dump the salt in before I leave?

Edit-
I changed the sand again this morning since we have no more goo.

 

[ajw22]

I don't think the Aquarite is happy if you get the salt too high and it will shut down.

Salt cells are not accurate and test strips are not accurate in salt readings. The accurate salt test is the Taylor K-1766 test kit.

Turn on the SWG. If it is happy and starts generating then the salt level is good regardless of the numbers. When a cell messages high or low salt you should then check the salt level with the K-1766 Taylor Salt Test since the first sign of a failing cell is incorrect salt readings.

How many gallons is Moms pool? What runtime and % will you set for the cell?

 

[RidingMann]

I don't think the Aquarite is happy if you get the salt too high and it will shut down.

Salt cells are not accurate and test strips are not accurate in salt readings. The accurate salt test is the Taylor K-1766 test kit.

Turn on the SWG. If it is happy and starts generating then the salt level is good regardless of the numbers. When a cell messages high or low salt you should then check the salt level with the K-1766 Taylor Salt Test since the first sign of a failing cell is incorrect salt readings.

How many gallons is Moms pool? What runtime and % will you set for the cell?

30,000 gallons. She filters 24/7, so the SWG will run 24/7. I have no idea where to start the %. I figured we'd start at about 50% and adjust as needed?

 

[RidingMann]

SWG is on and set to 50%. The manual says it takes up to 24 hours to get an accurate salt reading. The "generating" light is on.
Feel free to continue to help. We're on the right track and DO NOT want to screw it up. The water looks amazing!
We have not added CYA, that's why the sun is killing our FC. It's super hot and sunny.

Oh, is the water swim safe at these levels?





ETA- at this point, we're 90 jugs (6% 121 ounce) in!

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Can mom manage the testing and tweaking of the cell's output percentage?

If the testing shows it needs more salt she can open the bag wherever it is and take multiple coffee can fulls of salt and spread it around and brush. It may be the only way. Remind her to brush it around to help dissolve it. Keep in mind that your water wasn't probably at zero salt when you started.

Oh that is beautiful water!!

Maddie

 

[ajw22]

Aquarite T-15 can generate 1.47 lbs of chlorine a day. Running at 100% 24 hours a day it can generate 18ppm. At 50% it will generate 8.8ppm.

What is your CYA level now? You have to have CYA to at least 50-60 for the SWG to be effective.

 

[RidingMann]

Aquarite T-15 can generate 1.47 lbs of chlorine a day. Running at 100% 24 hours a day it can generate 18ppm. At 50% it will generate 8.8ppm.

What is your CYA level now? You have to have CYA to at least 50-60 for the SWG to be effective.

CYA is approximately 25.
Is it too soon to add CYA?

 

[RidingMann]

Can mom manage the testing and tweaking of the cell's output percentage?

If the testing shows it needs more salt she can open the bag wherever it is and take multiple coffee can fulls of salt and spread it around and brush. It may be the only way. Remind her to brush it around to help dissolve it. Keep in mind that your water wasn't probably at zero salt when you started.

Oh that is beautiful water!!

Maddie

Yes, she has been doing all of the testing. I think she's going to be fine. I wish I would have ordered the salt test kit, I just ordered her a refill for the FC test this morning.

 

[ajw22]

What is your plan when you leave? Will your Mom continue the SLAM Process and test and add liquid chlorine as needed?

Losing 5.5 ppm overnight says you still have an algae problem in the clear water.

When will you be leaving? You there tonight to see what your FC loss is overnight?

You should not run the SWG during the SLAM Process because with it running you can not accurately judge FC loss to the algae and determine when it is over.

If Mom can't continuing the handle the SLAM Process then I would raise the CYA to 50 and run the SWG at 100% and monitor the FC level. You can instruct Mom when to turn down the % if the FC is climbing. At CYA 50 the SLAM Process is manageable if you need to come back.

 

[RidingMann]

What is your plan when you leave? Will your Mom continue the SLAM Process and test and add liquid chlorine as needed?
She will continue testing hourly and adding bleach as required.
Losing 5.5 ppm overnight says you still have an algae problem in the clear water.

When will you be leaving? You there tonight to see what your FC loss is overnight?
I need to leave ASAP. She knows how to test the overnight loss.
You should not run the SWG during the SLAM Process because with it running you can not accurately judge FC loss to the algae and determine when it is over.
OOPS. I'll turn it off. I thought you told me to turn it on.

If Mom can't continuing the handle the SLAM Process then I would raise the CYA to 50 and run the SWG at 100% and monitor the FC level. You can instruct Mom when to turn down the % if the FC is climbing. At CYA 50 the SLAM Process is manageable if you need to come back. I'm REALLY hoping she can handle it from here. I'll need to spend all of next week at work (including the weekend).

Answers in bold.

For now, we're going to turn the SWG back off, continue to test and treat hourly, and hope we get less FC loss tonight.

We just got back from WalMart buying an additional 21 jugs of bleach.

 

[ajw22]

Yeah, I did tell you to turn the SWG on to determine if your salt level is ok. We now know it is.

Keep Mom running the SLAM Process. Even once the pool passes the 3 exit criteria Mom can continue to use LC daily to chlorinate.

Once the SLAM Process is complete you can figure out when to up the CYA and turn on the SWG.

My hats off to you. You accomplished a lot and did great!

 

[RidingMann]

I’m beginning to question what we’re doing. We’ve put nearly 45 gallons in today, almost 150 total.
Should we start skipping doses in the hot and sunny parts of the day?

 

[mknauss]

Should we start skipping doses in the hot and sunny parts of the day?

Read the Baqua conversion - step 4.

"Toward the middle of the conversion, it is more prudent to test and add your bleach in the evening, or at other times when the sunlight is not directly shining on your water."

 

[RidingMann]

Read the Baqua conversion - step 4.

"Toward the middle of the conversion, it is more prudent to test and add your bleach in the evening, or at other times when the sunlight is not directly shining on your water."

Yeah, I saw that. I just figured if we kept it at 15ppm consistently, it would be better.... but it’s getting ridiculous. ?
We’ll back off during the day. This pool gets full sun all day.