Converting to SW pool

[raytse]

Hello World.
First time pool owner and has been learning alot on TFP on how to maintain my pool. Water quality been doing great, but …….. just tired of adding 1-1.5 gallons of 10% chlorine to my pool to maintain the FC level weekly. I have a 25000 Gallon pool and think about converting to Saltwalter pool by adding SWG.

Pool Spec & Equipment:
- Pool volume: 25K Gallon
- Pool pump: Starite Max E Glas II Pump (single speed pump ? I guess)
- Pool Filter: Starite System 3 Filtration S8M150
- Water Heater
- Aqualink 2.0 with Jandy control
- Dolphin M600 pool vacuum
- Proudly maintain and clean pool myself

I have several questions:
1. SWG choice: considering the Circu pool RJ-60+, any other better option for my case?
2. I think i have a single speed pool pump. How long (approximately) do I need to run the pump daily after the FC level is stablized? I understand situation varies from pool to pool, would like to know if changing to variable speed pump is needed to save power ( in CA, engery bill cost is crazy and I don‘t have solar yet).
3. Is my pump and filter equipment able to handle SW? I believe so, but good to get the TFP community opinion.
4. as I have the aqualink+jandy control, can the RJ-60+ integrate to Jandy box as additional aux/equipment that I can control via phone app. (maybe there is nothing to control for the RJ-60+, but just want to use phone or single app to control everything about the pool)
5. Is the Dolphin M600 works fine with SW pool? I checked Maytronics site, they are okay with that as long as salt ppm is not too hight. Any other opinion or bad expereince about it?
6. For 1 month away vacation preparation with SWG, is there anything I need to do before leaving? I maintain the pool myself, so no pool guy can help unless I hire one for the month away.

Sorry for tons of question for my first post, but certainly need help and advice here.

Thanks!

Ray

 

[ajw22]

1. SWG choice: considering the Circu pool RJ-60+, any other better option for my case?

It is fine but will not integrate with your Aqualink.

2. I think i have a single speed pool pump. How long (approximately) do I need to run the pump daily after the FC level is stablized? I understand situation varies from pool to pool, would like to know if changing to variable speed pump is needed to save power ( in CA, engery bill cost is crazy and I don‘t have solar yet).

Running the RJ60 at 80% for 6 hours will give you 3ppm and 8 hours will give you 4ppm.

3. Is my pump and filter equipment able to handle SW? I believe so, but good to get the TFP community opinion.

Yes

4. as I have the aqualink+jandy control, can the RJ-60+ integrate to Jandy box as additional aux/equipment that I can control via phone app. (maybe there is nothing to control for the RJ-60+, but just want to use phone or single app to control everything about the pool)

No.

5. Is the Dolphin M600 works fine with SW pool? I checked Maytronics site, they are okay with that as long as salt ppm is not too hight. Any other opinion or bad expereince about it?

Yes.

6. For 1 month away vacation preparation with SWG, is there anything I need to do before leaving? I maintain the pool myself, so no pool guy can help unless I hire one for the month away.

You more need to be concerned about skimmers clogging or equipment failing or a leak or a storm knocking out pool equipment.

Set your pool on autopilot and figure out what needs to be fixed when you return.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Ray,

Saltwater is the only way to go..

I would say more, but Allen has you covered above.

Before adding any salt, test what you have now.. You might be surprised what is already in your water..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[raytse]

Allen and Jim, Thanks for your quick replies. It further boost my confidence on converting to SW pool.

I can see that a lot of people are using Pentair IC series SWG, any advantage over CircuPool RJ-xx? Like phone level app control, pool control system integration, cost of maintenance?

Just want to buy once and not regret on SWG choice.

 

[ajw22]

I can see that a lot of people are using Pentair IC series SWG, any advantage over CircuPool RJ-xx? Like phone level app control, pool control system integration, cost of maintenance?

Only if you decide to dump your Aqualink and move to Pentair automation like I did.

 

[Jimrahbe]

I can see that a lot of people are using Pentair IC series SWG, any advantage over CircuPool RJ-xx?

Ray,

My standard answer to that question is..

If you have a Pentair Automation, get the IC60.. If you do not, get the CircuPool SWCG.

No matter what you get, it has to be at least 2 x the volume of your pool.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[raytse]

Thanks Jim and Allen again. Will get the RJ-60+.

 

[raytse]

All,

Just received the circupool SJ-60+ and would like to kick of the installation. But first of all, would like to confirm where the SWC should be mounted. As see in that attached photo, the red circled section is water exiting the pool/spa heater. I am think about adding the SWG in series there.

However, I am a new pool owner and have no idea what a spa bypass is and how those Jandy valve works. Will need your help to explain how it function and verify if the SWG should be install there.

Thanks!

 

[mknauss]

The Spa Bypass is likely a makeup line. Does your spa Spillway run all the time when in Pool mode?

You can put the SWCG in the line before the make up line. Be aware that when you switch to Spa Mode, you will want to lower the out put of the SWCG. That is one of the advantages of using a SWCG tied to your automation system, it automatically handles that.