Considering a SWCG. Thoughts?

[PoolStored]

Ok thanks! I currently run my pump 4 hours a day (it's not vs) would that be enough to raise my FC by 4 in the summer if I got say a rj-45 (in tried using the add chemical calculator but didn't understand it)

RJ-45 is rated at 1.9lb/day. (Use that number in Pool Math). Running Pool math, I get it will raise FC by 4.4. In real life, I have found that even though it is rated that way, running 100% doesn't quite work out that way. You may find you have to run longer to actually get 4.4.

 

[Padle]

Ok. I got tripped up in the calculator by the percent part, I have no idea how a SWG operates, Im guessing from what you write it can operate at 100 percent, which in that case the app says I would need 8 hours to get 4.

Am I doing this correct? If yes would I be better with a 55 model?

 

[PoolStored]

Sorry, yes, would be 8 hours. RJ-60 output is 3.1. Core 55 is 2.3.

 

[PoolStored]

SWCG is much better at maintaining FC. Not so much on raising FC.

You will find, with shorter run windows with higher output, you will not get the FC raise you expect. Adding 4FC in 4 hours, even with a 60, may be a challenge. That is why we recommend using LC to raise FC and SWCG to maintain it, and why most of us run VSP 24/7...super reliable at maintaining FC.

As a test last fall, I tried running SWCG to raise my FC to slam level before close. Started at 9 FC. SWCG at 100% should have raised my FC BY 13 in 24 hours. Raised it TO 13 in 24 hours.

 

[Padle]

I hear, I hate the sound of my neighbors pool pump that runs all night, that's why I would like to avoid it...

 

[PoolStored]

I hear, I hate the sound of my neighbors pool pump that runs all night, that's why I would like to avoid it...

Avoid what? VSP, or running for 8 hours. My VSP is unnoticeable (to me or neighbors) at 1400 rpm. Running full speed, not so much. Maybe run it during the day, or break it up into 2 hour segments throughout the day. Do you have automation or a timer?

 

[Padle]

Avoid running it 24/7, but if 8 hours will get me what I needed that should be fine.

 

[PoolStored]

Avoid running it 24/7, but if 8 hours will get me what I needed that should be fine.

Again, SWCG is good at maintaining, not so much raising. You may find 8 hours works, may take more.

 

[Padle]

When you say maintaining. Say my target is 9 FC, and the loss in the summer is 3-4 FC, it would be possible for the swg to maintain the level 9 easily?

 

[PoolStored]

When you say maintaining. Say my target is 9 FC, and the loss in the summer is 3-4 FC, it would be possible for the swg to maintain the level 9 easily?

It will be easier to maintain the 9, the longer your run your pump. 24/7 easy. 4 hours, less so. I'd recommend convert to SWCG and see how it goes. If it can't maintain it in a time period that doesn't annoy you and the neighbors, then convert to VSP.

 

[bradgray]

@Padle Another thing to think about when it comes time to invest in a VSP:

The time running a single speed and VS pump to equate each other from a cost standpoint (assuming 24/7 at around 1400rpm on the VS) you're going to get a much cleaner pool with a VS pump day-to-day.

Running a pump more will unsurprisingly distribute sanitizer more evenly over time and helps keep the skimmer active to prevent debris from sinking. The vast majority of your contamination is at the surface of water (before it sinks, anyway).

The sooner you get the surface drawn in and chlorinated, the better. Hard to do that if the pump is totally off 16 hours of each day.

 

[Padle]

So I have been looking at the circupool SWG
I looked into calimar, but the company that sells it has no idea about it. The guy told me on the phone to Google it to find the info i asked

Contrast that with circupool, I got a hour on the phone with someone knowledgeable at discountsaltpool.com

I'm currently deciding between a 55 universal or rj-60. I'm going big because with my current single speed pump, I only run it 4 hours a day.

One thing I don't like about either, is they say below 65 it may not produce chlorine. Here in Tampa Bay there's probably 2-3 months of below 65 water.

Any thoughts or better products?


Universal 55 will cost $1269
Rj-60 will cost 1469

Thanks!

 

[Padle]

Also, just a side note, a thought that occured to me. For most people out there who use chlorine tablets, a SWG doesn't seem like such a necessity. TFP method, where we use liquid chlorine, makes getting a SWG much more attractive.

 

[PoolStored]

For most people out there who use chlorine tablets, a SWG doesn't seem like such a necessity

Tablets add CYA. At some point, CYA gets high enough that you can't keep enough FC to sanitize the pool and you need to drain/replace water to reduce CYA.

 

[bradgray]

Also, just a side note, a thought that occured to me. For most people out there who use chlorine tablets, a SWG doesn't seem like such a necessity. TFP method, where we use liquid chlorine, makes getting a SWG much more attractive.

I agree a lot of homeowners "think" they're okay while only jamming tabs into their pool. It looks great! Nevermind it's an acid bath.

This said, liquid chlorine is superior for any/all setups, even tabbed. I firmly believe no matter what your residual chlorination system is, the manual product should be liquid chlorine. Never granular.

Nearly all of our pools are tabbed, yet we exclusively use liquid chlorine on our routes for a lot of reasons - the presence of tabs actually being one of the main.

Despite it being difficult to transport and ultimately more expensive than granular, we have to add a LOT of chlorine to most of our accounts every visit because we do commercial and Vacation Rentals in a heavily tourist-centered city. We can't sustain reasonable CYA levels at the rate we treat them and our CH is already 250-300 out of the tap so cal-hypo is not an option. We go through well over 300 gallons of liquid chlorine a month to keep the pools clear. It's indeed a pain. And that "pain" can motivate one to invest in a salt system.

Here's the kicker; a lot of those tabbed pools that need regular liquid chlorine are also salt! We need both/all-three to keep up.

 

[Mdragger88]

One thing I don't like about either, is they say below 65 it may not produce chlorine

All swg’s have this limitation & will not produce at water temps below 60 degrees. You will need to manually dose when that occurs- it’s usually not that big of a deal as during those times the daily fc loss is generally very low.

 

[Padle]

No argument here, just pointing it out. If you look on the worldwide web, most people don't see a big gain in getting a SWG. Specifically the TFP method, makes it very attractive

 

[bradgray]

No argument here, just pointing it out. If you look on the worldwide web, most people don't see a big gain in getting a SWG. Specifically the TFP method, makes it very attractive

I agree; but believe that's more generally because they don't understand their pool.

The TFP method is more or less the right way to take care of a pool; with or without a moniker.

It makes it attractive because you understand the chemicals you should use/not use. And liquid chlorine is indeed more cumbersome in a lot of ways than granular and tabs.

 

[Padle]

My calcium is currently to low for a SWG (it's just above 250).

Is there any harm is using cal-hypo until my calcium gets up there, then to switch to a SWG?

 

[Mdragger88]

My calcium is currently to low for a SWG (it's just above 250).

Is there any harm is using cal-hypo until my calcium gets up there, then to switch to a SWG?

There’s no such thing as the calcium being too low for a swg.
Your ch may possibly be low for your plaster pool & ideal csi.

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

If that’s the case go ahead & use the cal hypo to chlorinate.
Not a problem - use PoolMath effects of additional to see how much it would take/you can tolerate before you reach your goal .
What are your most current test results?
Fc
Cc
Ph
Ta
Ch
Cya ?