Hello, new to pools and we feel like we are kind of getting a handle on things. Just got a new SWG and installed it last Sunday 8/11. Our previous one hadn't been working for some time so we were having to pour 5 gallons of liquid chlorine into our pool weekly just to keep algae at bay (we are in Tx and hitting 100 degrees). Our CYA was also previously very high, dont know other than it was over 100 since the Taylor test kit doesnt read over that. Between backwashing a ton, MEGA rainstorms which overflowed our pool, splash out from many family gatherings and accidently leaving the water hose on overnight and overflowing we've now managed to get our CYA down to FIVE.
Plan was to increase CYA to 70 and see if we can keep the chlorine levels maintained at optimum levels with our new SWG. On the day we installed the new SWG, we also added 10 gallons of liquid chlorine in hopes of getting it where it needed to be so the SWG could keep up. I tested everything on Tuesday, got no reading on CYA so knew it was super low to non-existent, Chlorine also got no reading but I have been suspicious that our reagents have expired as they were the previous pool owners. So, I purchased new reagents that will be here today.
Our water as of today is looking CHRYSTAL CLEAR (better than it ever has). Decided for the first time ever to take a sample to our one and only local pool store just to see where they said we were and get a "second opinion". First thing they did was test phosphates which they said was SUPER HIGH at around 1,500 and that nothing we do will work until we get those down trying to sell me a $60 bottle of phosphate remover, which I did not buy. They also told me that since we are in Texas, they recommend CYA at 150 which I have NEVER read in these forums or any research I have done. I laughed and they looked at me like I was crazy.
The rest of my results are below: Our thinking is that since our CYA is non-existent our Chlorine is not lasting which is why now that its been 5 days in full sun, 100 degrees our chlorine is almost gone. Again, plan is to add CYA to get it to around 70 and see if we can keep our chlorine maintained.
My question is, are they even remotely correct in that if we dont get our phosphates down nothing will help and our chlorine will be eaten by the phosphates before it even has time to sanitize the pool? I've seen you are either in the NO it doesnt matter camp or absolutely, you must treat them.... but more leans toward they do not matter if everything else is balanced. At this point, we can't even tell if our SWG is working since our chlorine level is so low.
Taylor test kit says our salt is 3,600 so this is quite off. The rest of the readings seem to be pretty close to what I got with the test kit.
24K gal, IG Gunite, VS pump, Hayward Sand Filter, Apex 60 (aftermarket pentair) SWG, Dolphin cleaning robot, TF-100 Test Kit
Plan was to increase CYA to 70 and see if we can keep the chlorine levels maintained at optimum levels with our new SWG. On the day we installed the new SWG, we also added 10 gallons of liquid chlorine in hopes of getting it where it needed to be so the SWG could keep up. I tested everything on Tuesday, got no reading on CYA so knew it was super low to non-existent, Chlorine also got no reading but I have been suspicious that our reagents have expired as they were the previous pool owners. So, I purchased new reagents that will be here today.
Our water as of today is looking CHRYSTAL CLEAR (better than it ever has). Decided for the first time ever to take a sample to our one and only local pool store just to see where they said we were and get a "second opinion". First thing they did was test phosphates which they said was SUPER HIGH at around 1,500 and that nothing we do will work until we get those down trying to sell me a $60 bottle of phosphate remover, which I did not buy. They also told me that since we are in Texas, they recommend CYA at 150 which I have NEVER read in these forums or any research I have done. I laughed and they looked at me like I was crazy.
The rest of my results are below: Our thinking is that since our CYA is non-existent our Chlorine is not lasting which is why now that its been 5 days in full sun, 100 degrees our chlorine is almost gone. Again, plan is to add CYA to get it to around 70 and see if we can keep our chlorine maintained.
My question is, are they even remotely correct in that if we dont get our phosphates down nothing will help and our chlorine will be eaten by the phosphates before it even has time to sanitize the pool? I've seen you are either in the NO it doesnt matter camp or absolutely, you must treat them.... but more leans toward they do not matter if everything else is balanced. At this point, we can't even tell if our SWG is working since our chlorine level is so low.
Taylor test kit says our salt is 3,600 so this is quite off. The rest of the readings seem to be pretty close to what I got with the test kit.
24K gal, IG Gunite, VS pump, Hayward Sand Filter, Apex 60 (aftermarket pentair) SWG, Dolphin cleaning robot, TF-100 Test Kit
