Converting new pool to SWG - procedure/best practice needed

[tradewinds]

I've had great success with the PoolMath and following TFP since my new pool was filled about two months ago. I have an IC60 and would like to convert to using it.

My pool is clear and balanced and a CSI today of 0.1.

What is the method/procedures and best practice to do the conversion?

Thx.

 

[ajw22]

Is the IC60 installed and ready to go?

Do you have a K-1766 Salt Test Kit?

Test your current water salt level and then raise it to around 3600ppm.

Have the IC60 output set to 0% while adding the salt.

When your salt has dissolved and tests above 3,000 then raise the output % and you are live generating chlorine.

Raise your CYA to 60-70 once your SWG is running.

 

[tradewinds]

Is the IC60 installed and ready to go?

Do you have a K-1766 Salt Test Kit?

Test your current water salt level and then raise it to around 3600ppm.

Have the IC60 output set to 0% while adding the salt.

When your salt has dissolved and tests above 3,000 then raise the output % and you are live generating chlorine.

Raise your CYA to 60-70 once your SWG is running.

Thank you.

It's not yet installed.

I have the salt kit.

Where do I add the salt to? and is there a particular salt to add. Do I pre-dissolve it in a bucket like calcium chloride?

 

[ajw22]

Pour the salt from the bags directly into the water and brush it around with your pool brush until it dissolves.

Do not use Chlorox Pool Salt.

You can use pool salt or water softener salt. If you use water softener salt only use salt with no additives.

Read Salt - Further Reading

 

[PoolStored]

Do not use Chlorox Pool Salt.

We have had a large number of reports on Morton salt also this year. I'd avoid that too.

Lots of us use Diamond Crystal Solar Salt with good results...

 

[tradewinds]

We have had a large number of reports on Morton salt also this year. I'd avoid that too.

Lots of us use Diamond Crystal Solar Salt with good results...

What about this one?

Amazon.com

 

[proavia]

Over $27 for 40 pounds on Amazon
Diamond Crystal solar salt at HD or Lowes is usually less than $8 for 40 pounds.

 

[tradewinds]

Over $27 for 40 pounds on Amazon
Diamond Crystal solar salt at HD or Lowes is usually less than $8 for 40 pounds.

Awesome!

 

[tradewinds]

I've been doing the reading on the wiki and things like spider cracks come up for plaster pools which are new and still curing.

Should I wait longer (maybe a year) to be safe before converting to chlorine production with a SWG?

 

[Jimrahbe]

TW,

SWCG's have absolutely nothing to do withy plaster spider cracks...

You should wait about 30 days after the water is in the pool before converting to saltwater.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[PoolStored]

Should I wait longer (maybe a year) to be safe before converting to chlorine production with a SWG?

The only note to spider cracking is in the Wet Edge startup-guide....which says you should wait 28 days.

Wait 30 days and add the salt.

 

[HermanTX]

I've been doing the reading on the wiki and things like spider cracks come up for plaster pools which are new and still curing.

Should I wait longer (maybe a year) to be safe before converting to chlorine production with a SWG?

You have using liquid chlorine. That adds salt to your pool so don’t assume you have zero salt. So wait the 30 days, then test with the Taylor Salt kit before adding any salt that you purchase from HD or Lowe’s. I use the Blue Diamond pool salt. You do not want to add too much salt thus test before adding any salt. Then use PM app to determine how much you need to add.
Add about 80% of the estimated need. Brush and circulate for a day or so, test again and then add any additional salt to reach your desired Level. Run your pump constantly while adding And circulating the salt.

 

[tradewinds]

You have using liquid chlorine. That adds salt to your pool so don’t assume you have zero salt. So wait the 30 days, then test with the Taylor Salt kit before adding any salt that you purchase from HD or Lowe’s. I use the Blue Diamond pool salt. You do not want to add too much salt thus test before adding any salt. Then use PM app to determine how much you need to add.
Add about 80% of the estimated need. Brush and circulate for a day or so, test again and then add any additional salt to reach your desired Level. Run your pump constantly while adding And circulating the salt.

When you say constantly, is there a specific GPM to shoot for? I run my pump 24x7 but most of the time it is doing 20 GPM.

 

[HermanTX]

When you say constantly, is there a specific GPM to shoot for? I run my pump 24x7 but most of the time it is doing 20 GPM.

That is fine. You just want constant circulation.

 

[Tom09]

Like others said definitely check your salt levels some how I was already at 1500 ish after 30 days of startup. I purchased the diamond crystal from homedepot and had no issues. Took a bit to dissolve but no issues.

 

[tradewinds]

Like others said definitely check your salt levels some how I was already at 1500 ish after 30 days of startup. I purchased the diamond crystal from homedepot and had no issues. Took a bit to dissolve but no issues.

Are you able to tell when dissolved or not? Wasn't sure if the crystals are clear/transparent or appear white.

 

[proavia]

Are you able to tell when dissolved or not? Wasn't sure if the crystals are clear/transparent or appear white.

The salt is white-ish in color.
Dump it in the shallow end and brush back and forth until dissolved. It doesn't take too long.
Then, with pump on, let it mix into the entire water column for 24 hours.
Test for salinity. Add more if needed. Run pump 24 hours to mix in fully.
When your salt is within range for your SWG and has mix for 24 hpurs with pump running, turn on the SWG.

Don't turn the SWG on until the salt is fully dissolved and the pump has run for 24 straight hours.
Adding one bag or less to top up the salt level doesn't require the above 24 hour runtime before using the SWG.

 

[Tom09]

Are you able to tell when dissolved or not? Wasn't sure if the crystals are clear/transparent or appear white.

I didn’t do the recommended way by just dumping it in the pool. I did dissolve it in buckets first which wasn’t that bad. I did 6 bags.

 

[HermanTX]

Like others said definitely check your salt levels some how I was already at 1500 ish after 30 days of startup.

The salt mainly came from the Liquid Chlorine which you were using.

 

[Tom09]

The salt mainly came from the Liquid Chlorine which you were using.

13 gallons of LC? That seems a lot. At that rate another month I didn’t need to add salt.. lol from what I read it’s about 16 ppm per gallon… so there’s some other mystery