FreshWater Salt System Too High

[ugadawgs311]

Hello. I have a FreshWater Salt System in my Hot Springs spa that almost constantly stays in the “high” (warning) level. However, I only have the salt system set at level 3 out of 10 (10 is the highest). I’ve noticed that my chlorine levels are usually low too.

Anyone else have this issue? I get a “high” reading on the salt system when it’s in a “low” setting, and my chlorine constantly tests low.

 

[ajw22]

You need to test your water salt level using the K-1766 Taylor Salt Test

The level setting sets what % the salt system runs to generate chlorine. It does not affect your salt level.

Turn the level up to increase the chlorine generated.

 

[ugadawgs311]

You need to test your water salt level using the K-1766 Taylor Salt Test

The level setting sets what % the salt system runs to generate chlorine. It does not affect your salt level.

Turn the level up to increase the chlorine generated.

So turn the level up despite the fact that it’s already reading “high” and giving me a warning?

The local pool guy recommended the same thing, but it just seems counter intuitive ha. Seems like I should ignore the high warning (the pool guy said that actually).

 

[ajw22]

Two totally different things.

The water salinity is the amount of salt available in the water for the generator to use. Too high a salt level can burn out the SWG or cause corrosion.

The level control sets how much time the chlorine generator should run when the spa is on. The higher the level the more it runs and the more chlorine is created.

The salt level does not determine the amount of chlorine generated.

SWG How It Works - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[ugadawgs311]

Two totally different things.

The water salinity is the amount of salt available in the water for the generator to use. Too high a salt level can burn out the SWG or cause corrosion.

The level control sets how much time the chlorine generator should run when the spa is on. The higher the level the more it runs and the more chlorine is created.

The salt level does not determine the amount of chlorine generated.

SWG How It Works - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Ok thanks! Good to know!

So if the salt system is giving me a high reading, does that mean the water has too much salt in it? Maybe I added too much when I initially added it? I may just empty and refill the tub - it’s about time anyways.

 

[ajw22]

Ok thanks! Good to know!

So if the salt system is giving me a high reading, does that mean the water has too much salt in it?

Yes

Maybe I added too much when I initially added it?

Probably.

I may just empty and refill the tub - it’s about time anyways.

That is the only way to reduce the salt. But sometimes the salinity sensor fails. So without a salt test kit you don’t know if your salt is high or the salinity sensor is off.

Do you add liquid chlorine to the spa? That also adds salt.

How much salt do you add?

How many gallons in your spa?

 

[ugadawgs311]

Yes


Probably.


That is the only way to reduce the salt. But sometimes the salinity sensor fails. So without a salt test kit you don’t know if your salt is high or the salinity sensor is off.

Do you add liquid chlorine to the spa? That also adds salt.

How much salt do you add?

How many gallons in your spa?

I don’t use liquid chlorine. It’s a chlorinating concentrate in granule form.

To be honest, I can’t remember how much salt I added (it was over a year ago - hence why it’s probably time to drain and refill the tub).

The tub holds 360 gallons.

 

[ajw22]

Your granule chlorine concentrate has salt in it. You are adding salt whenever you add it.

 

[ugadawgs311]

Your granule chlorine concentrate has salt in it. You are adding salt whenever you add it.

I never even thought about that… well that would explain a few things. I still probably need to drain and refill though.

How often should I expect to add the chlorine granules? It seemed like I was adding a capful almost daily even without getting in the tub daily.

 

[ajw22]

I never even thought about that… well that would explain a few things. I still probably need to drain and refill though.

Yes, start fresh.

How often should I expect to add the chlorine granules? It seemed like I was adding a capful almost daily even without getting in the tub daily.

Depends on the chlorine concentration in the granules. Does it say anything on the bottle?

Chlorine is a gas. To package chlorine as granules the chlorine gas has to be bound to solids. Either CYA or calcium is used with salt to make the granules.

Every chlorine product expect for chlorine gas includes salt.

 

[ugadawgs311]

Yes, start fresh.


Depends on the chlorine concentration in the granules. Does it say anything on the bottle?

Chlorine is a gas. To package chlorine as granules the chlorine gas has to be bound to solids. Either CYA or calcium is used with salt to make the granules.

Every chlorine product expect for chlorine gas includes salt.

This is the product I've used for almost 2 years: SpaGuard Chlorinating Concentrate

I've found that about 30 minutes after adding 2 capfuls (way more than the recommended dosage), the chlorine readings are off the chart. But within 24 hours, they are completely 0 on the test strip.

I really don't think I should have to add chlorine daily to the tub if the salt sanitizer is working correctly. That's why I'm tempted to drain the tub, refill with new tap water, and also clean the filters thoroughly (I got a new cleaner to try).

 

[ajw22]

In 500 gallons 1 ounce of dichlor will raise…

FC 8.3
CYA 7.7
pH -0.3
Salt 6.8

Does your spa have an ozone system?

 

[ugadawgs311]

In 500 gallons 1 ounce of dichlor will raise…

FC 8.3
CYA 7.7
pH -0.3
Salt 6.8

Does your spa have an ozone system?

No, no ozone system. Just the FreshWater Salt System.

 

[wireform]

Ugad
I just read this thread and I'd recommend to start all over with fresh water BUT not before you use the water you have now for a purge with Ahh-some cleaner for your system. Frankly a year is way too long for hot tubs. Also I recommend to immediately throw away those test strips and get what I use the TF-100 TEST KIT and the Taylor k-1766 salinity test kit which can be had from tftestkits.net .

 

[ugadawgs311]

Ugad
I just read this thread and I'd recommend to start all over with fresh water BUT not before you use the water you have now for a purge with Ahh-some cleaner for your system. Frankly a year is way too long for hot tubs. Also I recommend to immediately throw away those test strips and get what I use the TF-100 TEST KIT and the Taylor k-1766 salinity test kit which can be had from tftestkits.net .

Hmm that link didn't seem to work.

Is this the Ahh-Cleaner you mentioned?

 

[Mdragger88]

I can’t open your link either but this is it

 

[ugadawgs311]

I can’t open your link either but this is it
View attachment 391223

That’s what I found. Thanks!

 

[jseyfert3]

I really don't think I should have to add chlorine daily to the tub if the salt sanitizer is working correctly. That's why I'm tempted to drain the tub, refill with new tap water, and also clean the filters thoroughly (I got a new cleaner to try).

You shouldn't, unless you have an ozone system that is eating up all the chlorine. I have a Saltron Mini and I only need to manually add chlorine when we do long soaks. Otherwise, in between uses the Saltron produces all the chlorine I need. I can leave it for weeks and the chlorine levels are maintained. Definately do an Ahh-Some purge. Here's mine, when I took over a used tub.

 

[ugadawgs311]

Ugad
I just read this thread and I'd recommend to start all over with fresh water BUT not before you use the water you have now for a purge with Ahh-some cleaner for your system. Frankly a year is way too long for hot tubs. Also I recommend to immediately throw away those test strips and get what I use the TF-100 TEST KIT and the Taylor k-1766 salinity test kit which can be had from tftestkits.net .

The Ahh-Some should arrive either today or tomorrow. So, 1) use the old water that's currently in the tub with the Ahh-Some to clean the system? Then, 2) refill with tap water and adjust chemicals accordingly?

Have you all found a solid method of which chemicals to adjust first when starting from scratch? I normally start with chlorine and move from there, but if you all have found a more effective and efficient way, I'm always up for some tips. Thanks!

 

[ajw22]

Start with adjusting pH then add chlorine.

Chlorine causes temporary pH rise that will distort your pH adjustments.