Any advantage to Taylor kit that includes Salt vs Taylor kit, and Taylor Salt separate?

[SoCalDIYWannabe]

I got my RJ-60 plumbed in. Tight fit, was impatient, got a touch of the glue on the coupling. But managed to salvage it cleanly enough.

Next two steps are wiring up and mounting the control box, and salting the water.

20k pool, I'll need a good amount. But once I'm at level, salt doesn't get added or needed much, right?

Where is the go- to shop and what brands are good or should be avoided?

 

[TinFoilHat]

You'll only need more salt maybe once per year as water gets splashed out of the pool or from backwashing. You can check salt monthly if you want or maybe quarterly as I do but if your SWG isn't complaining then you don't need to test except to check your CSI. We recommend Diamond Crystals Solar Naturals Salt Crystals which works very well and is clean.

 

[PoolStored]

Test your current salt level before adding salt. You may be surprised how much salt is already in the pool.

 

[SoCalDIYWannabe]

Test your current salt level before adding salt. You may be surprised how much salt is already in the pool.

We just did a resurface and all of the water is fresh and new other than lots and lots of acid and a little bit of liquid chlorine because we're not allowed to use salt for the first month. So my guess is my salinity is whatever was in the Rainwater or from the hose.

The rj60 should give me an approximation as well, correct? There's probably also a calculator to give an approximate number of bags or pounds to go from current salinity to desired salinity based on pool size. I just have to dig that up.

 

[PoolStored]

The rj60 should give me an approximation as well, correct?

To manage a pool with salt, you need a salt test. Taylor K-1766

There's probably also a calculator to give an approximate number of bags or pounds to go from current salinity to desired salinity based on pool size. I just have to dig that up.

PoolMath. Link-->PoolMath

 

[HermanTX]

We just did a resurface and all of the water is fresh and new other than lots and lots of acid and a little bit of liquid chlorine because we're not allowed to use salt for the first month. So my guess is my salinity is whatever was in the Rainwater or from the hose.

The rj60 should give me an approximation as well, correct? There's probably also a calculator to give an approximate number of bags or pounds to go from current salinity to desired salinity based on pool size. I just have to dig that up.

I treat salt just like stabilizer and calcium chloride additions. Test for the level - for salt it is a K-1766 kit by Taylor. You can buy online at Amazon, Taylor Technologies or from tftestkits.net.
Using pool math app noted above, calculate the total amount of salt to be added. Then add only 80-85% of it. Mix it well by brushing it around and continuous running of pump. After 24-36 hours, test for salt again. Then add the balance of salt needed to reach your target.

Turn off your SWCG initially while you are adding salt to the pool and until you get it brushed around.

Do not trust the SWCG to provide you an accurate salt level. Trust only the K-1766 test kit.

 

[SoCalDIYWannabe]

There is a K2006Salt that is basically a K2006 and the Salt test.
Or, there is a K2006, and a K1766.

Is there any reason to get one vs the other? Price is similar though slightly cheaper if getting separetely. I have neither right now.

As always (and in case I forget later),
Thanks!

 

[PoolStored]

Get the TF100 Salt or TFPro Salt. TFtestkits.net

Both have more reagents in the right amounts for our testing than the Taylor, at comparable price points.

 

[SoCalDIYWannabe]

Get the TF100 Salt or TFPro Salt. TFtestkits.net

Both have more reagents in the right amounts for our testing than the Taylor, at comparable price points.

Does it work pretty much the same way, and have the detailed step-by-steps for the novices like me?

 

[PoolStored]

YEP!

And here too!!!!

Extended Test Kit Directions Archives

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[JadziaDax]

I ordered the TFPro Salt kit and do not regret it! This is my first year using it and we just opened the pool this weekend, and the kit combined with the Pool Math app has made it SO easy! I’m on day three and my levels are almost entirely dialed in. The kit is easy to use and has step-by-step instructions. Just make sure to pay attention to the labels on the bottles, as some reagents look very similar (as they are used in conjunction).

 

[TinFoilHat]

This^^^ and I have taught my wife how to do the testing in the event that I can't at some point in life. I learned that from another member here who lost her husband and all the knowledge he had about the pool.

 

[SoCalDIYWannabe]

This^^^ and I have taught my wife how to do the testing in the event that I can't at some point in life. I learned that from another member here who lost her husband and all the knowledge he had about the pool.

Good idea. Though, she might think I'm trying to pawn duties off on her.

I'll just make sure she knows how easy it is... Then, I'll pawn it off on her, while I clean out the DE filter. (Oh, wait.. we changed that for cartridge.)

 

[TinFoilHat]

Tell her why you want her to learn it. It's a love and caring thing. And you don't ever want her to default to calling a pool service.

 

[SoCalDIYWannabe]

Finally got the RJ 60 installed .

Over the course of About a Week, I added 10 of my 12 bags of salt, each at 40 lb. I estimate 18,000 gallon for the pool. Seems like it shouldn't be enough.

Power it up the chlorinator And it told me the salinity was at 4700, then 4400. Still probably getting tuned in. Also went for a water test from The Pool Store and they said way too much salt. They said drain a foot and add fresh water.

Does it seem right? 400 lb is what I added but most of the calculators say I should have far more than that. Could it be that it's not dissolved enough? Would that give a higher salinity? Could it be that my pool is that much smaller than I thought it was? Could it be that I just got a really powerful batch of salt?

Couple of side notes, the amps showed negative 6 point something on the chlorinator, the test kit is already in the mail so I shouldn't have to rely on the store,

 

[ajw22]

400 lbs of salt will raise your 20,000 gallons by 2400 ppm.

It is not surprising that your pool water already had 2,000 ppm of salt.

All pools become a salt pool. Trichlor, liquid chlorine, muriatic acid all add salt to a pool. It accumulates and adds up over time.

You missed our recommendation to test your pool water salt level before adding any salt to better determine what you really need to get to SWG levels.

 

[SoCalDIYWannabe]

Yes, I believe you are right. I figured some of the other chems might add a BIT of salt, but not that much. Lots of Muriatic added because of the new resurface.

Still lots to learn... ugh.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Confirm you used a 10 mL water sample. The instructions are a bit confusing and many have used a 25 ml sample instead.

 

[PoolStored]

Confirm you used a 10 mL water sample. The instructions are a bit confusing and many have used a 25 ml sample instead.

Doesn't have a salt test kit, and didn't confirm before adding.

@SoCalDIYWannabe you need your own salt testing capability. I'd recommend this:

TF Salt Bundle

tftestkits.net

or Taylor K-1766...

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Doesn't have a salt test kit, and didn't confirm before adding.

I see. Thanks