I keep getting conflicting parameters for a salt pool using a SWG. I have a small 4590 Gallon pool with a Pentair IC40 SWG. All things considered, the pool water looks great, no smells, no algae etc. I am taking over maintenance, from the pool company and not completely sure about what the target parameters for a salt pool should be.
The obvious action is to call Pentair and speak to an expert, with the primary focus being on CA and FCL.
Support strongly advised me on two actions:
1. FCL & CA: Keep the FCL between 1-3ppm and the CA between 30-50ppm
2. Become a member of TFP and go carefully over that website and their book. Right up front in that book, the recommendation for FCL is 5 ppm and CA between 70-80.
So therein sits the problem, with these conflicting numbers
The argument for low CA levels seems to be based on the idea that the SWG is generating CL constantly. Possibly an argument against low CA levels is that the SWG never runs 24 hours a day but more like 8 to 12 hours. Perhaps the fine line here is that higher CA levels are indeed required to help maintain the CL levels when the SWG shuts down. In my case I run 8 hours a day and stop at 1500 when the power rates increase ten fold. I believe I loose about 6ppm in CL daily due to the sun, so this suggested to me that I may be better off pushing the CA up higher into the 70-80ppm levels suggested on this website and others, but cautious about the manufacturers guidance.
There is also a useful formula that states that FCL should be = to 7.5% of CA, so when using the higher CA level of 70-80 puts the FCL around 5-6 ppm.
For more completeness
Pentair support suggests:
FC 2-4
pH 7.2-7.4
ALK 80-120
CA 30-50
Salt 3600
TFP WEBSITE AND BOOK SUGGESTS FOR A PLASTER SALT WATER POOL
FC 3-5
pH 7.2-7.8
ALK 69-80
CA 70-80
Salt 3609
So there is some discrepancy between the FCL, ALK, CA & pH levels for SWG, salt based pools. What should these parameters be for a salt water pool.
Thanks
Norm
The obvious action is to call Pentair and speak to an expert, with the primary focus being on CA and FCL.
Support strongly advised me on two actions:
1. FCL & CA: Keep the FCL between 1-3ppm and the CA between 30-50ppm
2. Become a member of TFP and go carefully over that website and their book. Right up front in that book, the recommendation for FCL is 5 ppm and CA between 70-80.
So therein sits the problem, with these conflicting numbers
The argument for low CA levels seems to be based on the idea that the SWG is generating CL constantly. Possibly an argument against low CA levels is that the SWG never runs 24 hours a day but more like 8 to 12 hours. Perhaps the fine line here is that higher CA levels are indeed required to help maintain the CL levels when the SWG shuts down. In my case I run 8 hours a day and stop at 1500 when the power rates increase ten fold. I believe I loose about 6ppm in CL daily due to the sun, so this suggested to me that I may be better off pushing the CA up higher into the 70-80ppm levels suggested on this website and others, but cautious about the manufacturers guidance.
There is also a useful formula that states that FCL should be = to 7.5% of CA, so when using the higher CA level of 70-80 puts the FCL around 5-6 ppm.
For more completeness
Pentair support suggests:
FC 2-4
pH 7.2-7.4
ALK 80-120
CA 30-50
Salt 3600
TFP WEBSITE AND BOOK SUGGESTS FOR A PLASTER SALT WATER POOL
FC 3-5
pH 7.2-7.8
ALK 69-80
CA 70-80
Salt 3609
So there is some discrepancy between the FCL, ALK, CA & pH levels for SWG, salt based pools. What should these parameters be for a salt water pool.
Thanks
Norm