Been running inline chlorine feeder constantly to seemingly no effect

[jfreeman]

While I wait to install my new saltwater chlorine generator, I decided to make use of the old inline chlorine feeder to keep my pool clean.



The last SWCG was installed 8 years ago, so it's possible this feeder hasn't been used in that time. You can see in the picture that the tubing is bone dry - there are no leaks. The recommendation is one tablet for every 5k gallons, but I put in 6 tablets for my 18k gal pool. When I open it up (after turning off the pump), I can see the tablets have been getting wet. The valve is open to its maximum position. This feeder is on the return line to the pool, and the return valve is pointed in this direction. I've been running my filter pump all day. Yet the chlorine level in my pool has not risen above 1ppm all day, and I think it's falling. Is this expected? If not, what might be the problem? How can I diagnose it?

 

[Texas Splash]

Do you know if there's enough CYA in the water now to protect the small amount of chlorine a tab will produce throughout the day? I wonder if the FC is just getting burned-off by the sun? Or, do you have cloudy water (heavy organic load) depleting the FC extremely fast? If neither of those apply, perhaps something is simply plugged or faulty in that chlorinator.

 

[jfreeman]

I measured CYA Monday, the day after I first added the tabs. It was 85 then. Is that ok?
The water is crystal clear right now, but I'm coming off some algae that I shocked last weekend and have been scrubbing away over the week. The pool surface has a bunch of rough spots that seem to just hold algae. I'm planning to resurface this winter.

 

[Texas Splash]

Yikes! Your CYA is much too high to use any tabs. I'd pull those out right away. Run to the local grocery or hardware store and grab some chlorine/bleach ASAP. If you're not careful, you'll have an algae battle on your hands. Remember to see the FC/CYA Levels.

The rough spots sounds like scale. If you would like some more details, post a full set of water test results and we might able to give you more to go on.

 

[jfreeman]

I installed the SWCG over the weekend.
...
My first PVC job, and no leaks (yet)! I welcome any tips for how I could have done it better, but I'm pretty happy with the results right now.

I shocked the pool with 4 lbs last night. Scrubbed walls and floor last night and again this morning (with better light to see what I missed). Here's the chemistry panel this morning:

- FC: 12
- CC: 0.5
- pH: 7.76
- TA: 125
- CH: 175
- CYA: 85
- Salt: 3200

CYA may be high for tabs, but I think it's acceptable for the SWCG, right? I plan to turn it on later this week after some chlorine burns off.

 

[Texas Splash]

Congrats on the RJ-45 install. As for lessons learned, the only thing that seems to stand-out is that upper elbow. It looks like a DWV fitting as opposed to a regular schedule-40. But for an elbow it should be fine. Just future reference, we avoid DWV fittings for pools as they are not rated for the pressure we might experience in pool systems. But it's in and look fine.

Your pH number caught me eye. How did you get that number (and the others for that matter)? Make sure to add your test kit(s) to your signature tool. Next time maybe post your CH as well.

Congrats on the SWG!

 

[jfreeman]

Dang. I got the elbows and the long vertical pipe from Home Depot because the vertical mounting kit I that I got from DSP was pretty awkward. It only had female-to-male elbows, which would require a few extra fittings and joins. I checked for "schedule 40" on the elbows, but when I couldn't find it, I figured since they were the only 2" elbows I saw and they were right next to the schedule 40 pipe, that they must be the same. Thanks for teaching me! I'll know better next time. I might end up redoing this plumbing after I remove the booster pump.

I use this pH meter that I bought a while back to test my drinking water. I use the TF-100 kit for chemicals and the K-1766 kit for salt. I've added them to my signature now. My CH is 175.

 

[AUSpool]

If you do redo your plumbing with schedual 40 you can normally get clear priming fluid and glue which makes the finished plumbing look a lot neater. Make sure your glue is for pressure, we have different glues for DWV and pressure, not sure if you do too. And keep in mind that a pair of 45’s is more efficient than a 90deg bend.