Different Parameter Recommendations From Different Companies / Installers

[wakerider017]

About 5 weeks of having my new pool filled (SWCG just installed yesterday), and time to start really getting these parameters in check... But who do I go by? The recommendations vary so widely.


PebbleTec - Document Link (page 4)
pH: 7.2 - 7.6
Total Alkalinity: 70 - 100 PPM
Calcium Hardness: 150 - 300 PPM
Total Dissolved Solids: 400 - 800 PPM
Chlorine: 1 - 3 PPM
CYA: 20 - 30 PPM

Pebble Pros (Pebble Installer)
pH: 7.2 - 7.6
Total Alkalinity: 80 - 100 PPM
Calcium Hardness: 200 - 250 PPM
Chlorine: 1.5 - 3.0 PPM
CYA: 30 - 50 PPM

Jandy (SWCG Manual) - Document Link (page 38)
pH: 7.4 - 7.6
Total Alkalinity: 80 - 120 PPM
Calcium Hardness: 175 - 400 PPM
Chlorine: 1 - 3 PPM
CYA: 50 - 75 PPM

Trouble Free Pool - Document Link
pH: 7.2 - 7.8
Total Alkalinity: 60 - 80 PPM
Calcium Hardness: 350 - 450 PPM
Chlorine: 4 - 6 PPM
CYA: 70 - 80 PPM

 

[ajw22]

Congratulations on the new pool.

The parameters really don't vary that widely. They are all within the same basic range. Note that the Pebbletec and likely your Pebble Installer guidelines are for the first 30 day startup.

A key difference is that the TFP ranges consider what will keep you in the needed Calcium Saturation Index (CSI) - Trouble Free Pool range. This is especially important for plaster pools and pools with a SWG.

pH - everyone agrees keep it in the 7's. TFP is a bit wider since pH can be a key factor in CSI.
TA - TFP recognizes that lower TA creates less pH rise. The others don't care how much you need to fight with rising ph.
CH - Higher CH of TFP guidelines keeps you in the right CSI range
CL - This is the big difference. All the other parrot the government standard of keeping CL below 3. They do not recognize the science of the way CYA interacts with the required FC level. That is where TFP has the FC/CYA Levels for you to follow.
CYA - Jandy has it right for general CYA levels with a SWG but we recommend to keep it on the high side.

Overall TFP ranges will work better for your plaster SWG pool then the others. You should forget about the PebbleTec recommendations now that you are past your first 30 days.

Are you using PoolMath?

 

[setsailsoon]

Allen hit/ the nail on the head. The ranges are similar but range alone isn't the whole story. Especially for FC/CYA. The high end of CYA with the low end of FC does not disinfect your pool properly. This can make the pool prone to algae bloom and even more importantly water-borne pathogens.

Chris

 

[Jimrahbe]

017,

If this is a test, I pick number 4..

Our methods are slightly different, but based on science and work.. Theirs, not so much.

You have to make up your mind and choose one, as you can't mix and match our advice with others.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[wakerider017]

Allen that was super helpful! Short and sweet, yet explained exactly the reasoning.

I am using Pool Math. I probably need to upgrade to the paid version since I can only keep like 1 log at a time. Wish I could just buy the app once, I hate getting on any type of subscription.

Only thing I'd worry about is warranty down the road with the pebble. Pool builder already mentioned several times I should be getting water test print outs from a pool store monthly.

I've also heard mention of the Langelier Saturation Index. Seems very similar to the CSI, but it lacks the salt component which seems to make a big difference in CSI. LSI also has a TDS component, but that seems to hardly make a difference.

 

[ajw22]

LSI was created for commercial boilers. CSI is tailored for pool chemistry.

If you bought an app once you would not get future updates. PoolMath is updated frequently and we have many more features planned for it. The nominal annual cost is well worth it.

You need to decide if you want to go to pool stores and get test print outs monthly. PBs often blame plaster problems on bad water chemistry and it is rarely the case. Read Pool Water Balance is Not (Always) the Problem

 

[wakerider017]

Going to be using TFP recommended parameters.

I think my target will be:

pH: 7.6
Total Alkalinity: 80 PPM
Calcium Hardness: 350 PPM
Chlorine: 4.5 PPM
CYA: 65 PPM
Water Temp: 82
Salt: 3500 PPM

CSI Value: -0.19

See any problem with that? Does CSI need to be absolute zero, or is pretty much anything within the -.3 <> .3 range okay?

Was thinking about adding borates, but that seems to make the water more corrosive, which means I'd need to bump pH/Alk/Ca.


Wondering if I do take a sample to a pool store, if they'd tell me to drain the pool with these parameters?

 

[ajw22]

Relax on targeting so precisely. Observe what the natural pH & TA & CH levels your water want to be at.

You can’t measure a CYA of 65 so you can’t target that. We round up so a CYA of 70 has a FC target of 5. Better you be a but high then low on your FC.

Salt will be whatever makes your SWG happy. Testing accuracy is +/- 500 ppm.

Any CSI between 0 and -0.3 is equally good.