Aquarite T-15 False Low Readings Switched to T-3

[Lbrasci]

Pool Size: 19300 gallons
Test kit: TF-100
Salt water pool
Plaster pool
Cell brand: Salt Pool- 4 years old

I just had my pool replastered and my salt generator was giving a false low reading. Therefore, not producing chlorine. I cleaned the cell which had little scale. I turned back on the pool and the cell was still reading low. Since it was reading low, I switched the setting from a t-15 to a t-3 and all of sudden the cell started producing chlorine and the salt level was now within range. Besides buying a new cell is there anything I can do to permanently fix my cell? Is the reading sensor broken (octagon cap with telephone jack line cord) perhaps?

I have a pool company who added more salt because the panel was reading low. They must not have check the salt and went off the panel reading. The pool panel is reading 4000 and pinch a penny confirmed reading. I have a pool company maintain my pool but not feeling too confident in their abilities. I would mantained the pool myself but I do not have the time.

 

[ajw22]

Your cell is getting depleted. 4 years is about what you can expect for your size pool in Florida.

The T-3 setting will buy you a bit of time. You will be getting less chlorine generated with the T-3 setting so watch your FC level with your TF-100. Expect the salt reading will decline int he coming months and the cell will shutdown once it gets to 2400.

Hayward Aquarite SWG - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Lbrasci]

Your cell is getting depleted. 4 years is about what you can expect for your size pool in Florida.

The T-3 setting will buy you a bit of time. You will be getting less chlorine generated with the T-3 setting so watch your FC level with your TF-100. Expect the salt reading will decline int he coming months and the cell will shutdown once it gets to 2400.

Hayward Aquarite SWG - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

To maximize generated chlorine should I just keep the production percentage at 100%. I’m not sure the pool company who is maintaining my pool knows what FC is. Only reason I am not firing them is because they were recommend by the company that replastered my pool. I’ll start saving up for a new cell. Any particular cell brand you recommend besides Hayward that is reasonably priced? Thanks.

Other thing is I only need T-9 cell not T-15 based on the size of my pool. Not sure why I have 40G t-15 cell.

 

[ajw22]

You need a T-15 rated for 40K. A T-9 is rated for 25K. We recommend your cell be 2X your pool volume. With a T-9 you will need to run the cell hard at a higher % and longer time and it will not last anywhere near 4 years. A T-9 will be false economy when you need to replace it in 2 to 3 years.

With your cell generating at T-3 levels don’t be surprised if you get algae problems if you are not watching your FC to CYA level.

Breakout your TF-100 and tell us what your chemistry is:

FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
SALT

 

[Lbrasci]

You need a T-15 rated for 40K. A T-9 is rated for 25K. We recommend your cell be 2X your pool volume. With a T-9 you will need to run the cell hard at a higher % and longer time and it will not last anywhere near 4 years. A T-9 will be false economy when you need to replace it in 2 to 3 years.

With your cell generating at T-3 levels don’t be surprised if you get algae problems if you are not watching your FC to CYA level.

Breakout your TF-100 and tell us what your chemistry is:

FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
SALT

I was going to create a new thread on my chemistry based on a newly replastered pool and pool company’s recommendation.

 

[ajw22]

I was going to create a new thread on my chemistry based on a newly replastered pool and pool company’s recommendation.

Talk about your water chemistry here.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Your PH will continue to be high due to the new plaster for a year or two so plan on watching that and adding MA regularly. That is something you need to find the time to do or it will get wildly high before your "pool guy" decides to show up again.

 

[Lbrasci]

Hi all,

Pool Size: 19300 gallons
Test kit: TF-100
Salt water pool
Newly Replastered pool- 3 months ago
Aquarite T-15
Fort Lauderdale

I have the pool company who fired up my pool also maintaining my pool. They come once a week and were recommend by pool plastering company. According to them it’s ok for my PH to be high because it is a newly replastered pool. Not sure if that’s true or not. They did not know what CYA was, I had to explained to them. They added salt to my pool without testing, they just went off panel so now salt reading high. A lot of red flags from this company and other things not mentioned. I was going to test my pool myself but an iguana took a dump in my pool. Ruined our Sunday, wife wasn’t happy. So I decided to take my pool water to get tested at pool supply store. The readings were as follow:

FC- 0
CC- 0
pH- 8.2
CYA- 0
TA- 50
CH- 350
SALT-4000, my panel is reading 3900

I would maintain the pool myself but do not have time. Should a newly replastered pool be maintained differently than a regular pool? Anything to watch out for ? I’m really close to firing this pool company and finding a new or doing it myself. Any recommendations for pool companies that know what they are doing here in Fort Lauderdale.

Thank you

 

[ajw22]

Once you are past the 28 day plaster startup period follow TFP recommended levels…

What Are My Ideal Pool Levels?

Use our tool to find ideal chemical levels for any swimming pool. Check TFP recommended levels on pH, free chlorine, cyanuric acid, and more.

www.troublefreepool.com

Please post tests from YOUR test kit.

You need stabilizer/CYA and chlorine in your pool asap.

Your pH should be in the 7’s.

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[ajw22]

Aquarite T-15

That is misleading. You are running the cell as a T-3 and having T-3 output.

Use liquid chlorine to raise your FC. Your T-3 cell is not going to do it.

 

[Lbrasci]

Once you are past the 28 day plaster startup period follow TFP recommended levels…

What Are My Ideal Pool Levels?

Use our tool to find ideal chemical levels for any swimming pool. Check TFP recommended levels on pH, free chlorine, cyanuric acid, and more.

www.troublefreepool.com

Please post tests from YOUR test kit.

You need stabilizer/CYA and chlorine in your pool asap.

Your pH should be in the 7’s.

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

I dumped a 2.5 gallon jug into my pool when I got home from pinch a penny. I asked the my pool company if I should add cya and they told me they added cya 2 months ago. Face palm. I was going to buy some cya and give them the receipt, but they told me to wait.

 

[ajw22]

The chlorine you added is not going to last a day or two without CYA.

Your pool company are idiots.

Best to stop listening to them.

 

[Lbrasci]

The chlorine you added is not going to last a day or two without CYA.

Your pool company are idiots.

Best to stop listening to them.

The chlorine you added is not going to last a day or two without CYA.

Your pool company are idiots.

Best to stop listening to them.

Yes, agreed. It’s hard to find good people. Everything I know about pools I learned from this site. The thing is I been telling them about cya for a good month now. I should not be spending time on my pool maintenance when I pay someone to professionally maintain my pool. I can see how some pool companies just take advantage of the average Joe homeowner. My wife wants that pool company gone.

 

[Lbrasci]

That is misleading. You are running the cell as a T-3 and having T-3 output.

Use liquid chlorine to raise your FC. Your T-3 cell is not going to do it.

Yes I’m tricking the cell. Inyopools is selling pureline t-15 salt generator with 2 year warranty for $469. I’m just going to buy it instead the Hayward that’s almost 2x as much and only has a 3 yr warranty. Do you know this brand? Or do you have a recommendation?

 

[ajw22]

I should not be spending time on my pool maintenance when I pay someone to professionally maintain my pool.

Well while you are being outraged your pool is suffering and algae may be taking hold in the water.

Inyopools is selling pureline t-15 salt generator with 2 year warranty for $469. I’m just going to buy it instead the Hayward that’s almost 2x as much and only has a 3 yr warranty. Do you know this brand? Or do you have a recommendation?

The Pureline cells have worked for some and been a problem for others. Your already high salt level may be a problem for the Pureline cell.

 

[Lbrasci]

Well while you are being outraged your pool is suffering and algae may be taking hold in the water.


The Pureline cells have worked for some and been a problem for others. Your already high salt level may be a problem for the Pureline cell.

I just checked my pool after dinner. Didn’t have time to check the rest it got dark.

FC: 2
CC: 0.5
PH: 7.3
CL: 5-10 from the test block
CYA: 30

The FC and cya need to be raised.

So my pool person did say my cya was at 30, they said they added 2 cups of cya. I don’t know how they were able to test the cya level so fast after putting it in the pool. Unless they just went off some chart based on my pools total gallons and 2 cups of cya. They also said the pool had 0 chlorine when they came on Wednesday. Meaning my cell has been producing chlorine since Wednesday. If I am doing all these tests myself might as well do it myself.

 

[TinFoilHat]

How are you testing? Put your pool and equipment details into your signature as well as your test kit. Don't rely on others to maintain your pool. It's easy to do especially with a SWG. Your FC should be at about 5 or 6 for that CYA. Dump 1/2 gallon of liquid chlorine in right now. Are you using one of our recommended test kits?
Test Kits Compared

 

[Lbrasci]

How are you testing? Put your pool and equipment details into your signature as well as your test kit. Don't rely on others to maintain your pool. It's easy to do especially with a SWG. Your FC should be at about 5 or 6 for that CYA. Dump 1/2 gallon of liquid chlorine in right now. Are you using one of our recommended test kits?
Test Kits Compared

I am using TF-100 kit and have a great white pool vacuum.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Get your CYA up with the Sock Method. Put granular CYA in an old tube sock and suspend it in front of a pool return without it touching the pool wall. Squeeze the sock every couple of hours until it's all dispersed. Use PoolMath to determine how much granular CYA will get you to the level you need but add smaller amounts so you don't overshoot the target. Remember that it takes 24 hours of pool run time for it to register the new level in a test. The target number will be between 60-90 ppm for SWG. That will allow you to maintain a FC of 9-10.
FC/CYA Levels