Just added salt to pool yesterday. About to start SWG running today. What's the best way to shock or boost the pool to start getting levels where they need to be? And when do I add CYA?
Best way to start up or shock for SWG
- Thread starter laweatherred
- Start date
Add CYA now.
Then add bleach to boost your FC level
Once you get those two levels set, then it's ok to start the SWG
Use the Chlorine/ CYA chart and Recommend Levels articles to set the water balance.
It's a bit off topic, but if your SWG has copper plates, we advise to at least disconnect the wires going to the copper plates. Copper in the water is bad.
Then add bleach to boost your FC level
Once you get those two levels set, then it's ok to start the SWG
Use the Chlorine/ CYA chart and Recommend Levels articles to set the water balance.
It's a bit off topic, but if your SWG has copper plates, we advise to at least disconnect the wires going to the copper plates. Copper in the water is bad.
I wouldn't. I would want to know my chlorine was where it needed to be and the SWG is slow to produce chlorine.
So with about 10,500 gallons how much bleach is needed to boost it?? I will check my FC when I get home shortly.
The needed FC level is based on your CYA level. Typically around 6ppm.
Then use PoolMath to get the needed FC.
6ppm is 93 oz (about 3 quarts) of 8.25% bleach.
So if your FC is 0, then add 3 quarts of bleach. Try PoolMath with your numbers.
SWGs have a finite life in # of hours. Using bleach is much easier and faster.
Then use PoolMath to get the needed FC.
6ppm is 93 oz (about 3 quarts) of 8.25% bleach.
So if your FC is 0, then add 3 quarts of bleach. Try PoolMath with your numbers.
SWGs have a finite life in # of hours. Using bleach is much easier and faster.
I tried the bleach method one year with my Morgan AGP. I couldn't ever get it to work for me. Let me test my water.
I'm just saying to add bleach to get your FC up to the proper level. Then turn on the SWG.
Ok. I've added bleach to get to shock level.
CYA...50-55 (still low but just added today)
FC...28
CC...20
Still running SWG. Do I still need to keep it on? When will FC levels drop down to normal?
Ugh!! May get more rain again tonight!! May have to drain some!! What now??
Are you in the SLAM process? Why did you go to "shock" level?
If you are slamming then turn your SWG off and use only liquid chlorine to SLAM. The SWG cannot produce chlorine fast enough for the SLAM process and you wouldn't want to put that kind of load on the SWG.
On the other hand if your water is beautiful and you just want to start using the SWG, then you don't need to be at slam levels for chlorine. Use the FC level in Recommended Levels article and Chlorine/CYA Chart in PoolSchool.
If you are slamming then turn your SWG off and use only liquid chlorine to SLAM. The SWG cannot produce chlorine fast enough for the SLAM process and you wouldn't want to put that kind of load on the SWG.
On the other hand if your water is beautiful and you just want to start using the SWG, then you don't need to be at slam levels for chlorine. Use the FC level in Recommended Levels article and Chlorine/CYA Chart in PoolSchool.
I went to shock level because it was just filled up and had been sitting without any chlorine for a few days.
In that case use the bleach to raise the FC. Do an OCLT. Assuming you pass, let FC drift down to regular level, then start the SWG.
?please remind me what the OCLT is??? I'm trying to re-read pool school, etc to catch up. But it's so over whelming!! Haha
OCLT=
Overnight
Chlorine
Loss
Test
Chlorine gets consumed by two things basically. Organics in your pool and sunlight. By checking your FC after sunset and just before sunrise you can see if you're losing chlorine to organics (algae) but not sunlight. Little (less than 1 ppm) loss on the OCLT pretty much rules out algae.
Now....with that said, you'd want to ideally keep your pump running but your SWG off. The OCLT is pointless if running a SWG that is producing chlorine overnight.
Overnight
Chlorine
Loss
Test
Chlorine gets consumed by two things basically. Organics in your pool and sunlight. By checking your FC after sunset and just before sunrise you can see if you're losing chlorine to organics (algae) but not sunlight. Little (less than 1 ppm) loss on the OCLT pretty much rules out algae.
Now....with that said, you'd want to ideally keep your pump running but your SWG off. The OCLT is pointless if running a SWG that is producing chlorine overnight.
Awesome. Thank you!!! I've had my pump/filter running today, but not the SWG. I will do an FC check tonight and in the am.
