So, I came across this YouTube video today. I talks about how to keep your salt cell scale free. I have not heard about phosphates interaction with calcium, and of course, I am highly skeptical of their claims. But, I wanted to get the opinion of the braintrust here. Is this just complete malarkey?
Curious about this advice in this Leslie's video
- Thread starter Sun_Devil
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 63,025
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
sd,
I would not go into Leslie's to use their bathroom, much less take their pool care advice...
Jim R.
I would not go into Leslie's to use their bathroom, much less take their pool care advice...
Jim R.
Jimrhbe,
Unfortunately, I have to go in there from time to time because I bought my salt cell from them, and I may need to have some warranty work done on my salt cell system.
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They do, and I completely understand the profit motive. I was more curious about their claim about the interaction between phosphates and calcium to create scale. Truthfully, it seems fishy to me. I have only heard about phosphates role in providing food for algae. That being said, I ignore the phosphate level in the water.
Unfortunately, I have to go in there from time to time because I bought my salt cell from them, and I may need to have some warranty work done on my salt cell system.
- - - Updated - - -
They do, and I completely understand the profit motive. I was more curious about their claim about the interaction between phosphates and calcium to create scale. Truthfully, it seems fishy to me. I have only heard about phosphates role in providing food for algae. That being said, I ignore the phosphate level in the water.
- May 3, 2014
- 63,025
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Maintain your CSI in the -0.3 and 0.0 range and scale in your SWCG will be minimal. I finally pulled my SWCG off this summer after three years of running and it had a couple specks of scale in it.
With the CH of my pool (and fill water), I am having a hard time keeping the CSI there.
Most recent test:
FC: 6
pH: 7.6
TA: 100
CH: 600
CYA: 70
My CSI is 0.24 right now. I plan this evening to add some acid to drop it to 7.2 and to help lower TA. The addition of the acid will drop the CSI to -0.14. The water temperature is contributing to some of this. I may have to look into an in-line water softener system to remove the calcium from my fill water when topping off. Fill water's CH is 250 ppm.
Most recent test:
FC: 6
pH: 7.6
TA: 100
CH: 600
CYA: 70
My CSI is 0.24 right now. I plan this evening to add some acid to drop it to 7.2 and to help lower TA. The addition of the acid will drop the CSI to -0.14. The water temperature is contributing to some of this. I may have to look into an in-line water softener system to remove the calcium from my fill water when topping off. Fill water's CH is 250 ppm.
- May 3, 2014
- 63,025
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Drop and keep your TA in the 60 to 70 ppm range. Then keep your pH at or below 7.5. You can manage CSI by doing that with CH up to 800 ppm or a bit higher. Then it is time to drain and refill or in your area, if you wish, use Reverse Osmosis.
My fill water is the same as yours. Colorado River water.
My fill water is the same as yours. Colorado River water.
I have been trying to drop TA, and I have successfully moved it from 150 down to where it is. About every other day, I lower the pH to 7.2. Should I lower it more than that each time?
- May 3, 2014
- 63,025
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Do not lower the pH any more than to 7.2.
I use my spa to aerate when I need to lower TA after an initial fill. You might need to create a fountain of some kind that you can plug into a return to aerate. Lots of examples on the forum. Use the search box, upper right.
Pool School - Lower Total Alkalinity
I use my spa to aerate when I need to lower TA after an initial fill. You might need to create a fountain of some kind that you can plug into a return to aerate. Lots of examples on the forum. Use the search box, upper right.
Pool School - Lower Total Alkalinity
Thanks, I have read that article before, and I have been using my built in aerator to help with lowering the TA. It has just been a slower process than normal. (Or, I have underestimated the size of my pool and am not putting enough acid in.)
sd,
For me anyway, the key to lowering TA is to test and dose every 3 or 4 hours... It takes me about two days starting in the morning and until 10 pm, or so, and then again the next day...
The first few doses don't seem to do much and then it drops pretty quickly.
Thanks,
Jim R.
For me anyway, the key to lowering TA is to test and dose every 3 or 4 hours... It takes me about two days starting in the morning and until 10 pm, or so, and then again the next day...
The first few doses don't seem to do much and then it drops pretty quickly.
Thanks,
Jim R.