I just wanted to follow up on this thread and share my experience with the Intex QS1200 Krystal Clear SWG since there were mixed reactions when I asked the forum about this cheap SWG. I've been running the Intex QS1200 Krystal Clear SWG with my Black and Decker VSP for a month now and so far I am happy. It runs 7 hours per day and is keeping my FC between 8 and 9ppm with no problems, even during a few 90 degree+ days. I have my CYA set to 60.
After the first week, I was ready to give up and buy a more expensive SWG. I could not get FC up high enough by using the "boost" setting, which is what they suggest to do at pool opening in the manual. Upon the advice here, I did a SLAM to kill everything, let the FC come down to the level I wanted, and started up the SWG per the instructions in the manual for the size of pool I have and it has been flawless ever since. The lesson learned is to use liquid chlorine to get the FC to the level you want it and then use the SWG to maintain rather than use it's "boost" feature to get you there.
It was a bit of a challenge finding fittings that were compatible with this SWG and the VSP and my existing fitting on the return jet, but they are out there.
In the 8 years I've owned a pool, I have never seen the water so clear! Coming from using the PermaSalt system the previous owner had installed, I've always been used to at least a slight tinge of green and what I thought was dirt at the bottom of the pool (most likely, dead algae). I had also just accepted when the temp gets above 90degrees the pool goes green. No more of that!
It will be interesting to see how long this cheap SWG and/or cell last, but given how inexpensive this unit and the replacement cells are, I'd be happy if it only makes it one season!
Thanks again to everyone on here who has helped me through this, suggested the proper test kits, levels, etc. I used to hate maintaining my pool every summer and now it is a breeze!
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