General Maintenance Questions to stay out of trouble!

[Lbray812]

Hi All,

I have some thoughts and questions that arise usually and am curious what everyone else would do in specific situations.

Run down
I have
37000 gallon pool with an attached spa
SWG is intellichlor ic40
Runs about 12 hours in a day on 65%

My typical maintenance includes a CONSTANT ph reduction. I would say every week my pool needs a half gallon of Muriatic acid at least. I have a spillway and boulders below water level and I think this always raises my ph.

This is not an issue, really, though I wish I didn’t have to do It. But I also have read here that unstable ph isn’t great for chlorine holding.

If anyone can comment on the above, great. If it’s just part of owning a pool then just move on to below. I’m more curious about this.

More importantly:
What does everyone do for general maintenance on a FC level. So for example let’s say there’s a big storm, or a heavy load of use from a party. What should I be doing on a preemptive basis BEFORE even testing when I know there’s an added need for extra chlorine.

Should I put liquid chlorine in that night before even testing for FC? Or should I put in cap hypo shock?

Or another example if I feel like my SWG is not working or I am unsure, in order to maintain my FC levels, should I put in a certain amount daily to make sure I don’t have problems that arise?

I hope you can understand my question. Thank you all!

 

[TinFoilHat]

5 ppm of liquid chlorine is a good amount for holding your FC each day. If your pool is relatively new then it's normal for the plaster to raise your PH for the first year or so. Post up a set of your water readings from what I hope is one of the recommended test kits. That's the best way to get your question answered. Remember that the SWG is only for FC maintenance so if you need to make a large increase then liquid chlorine is for that. I run mine 12 hours a day as well which is overnight and then I can add liquid for when a storm is coming or anytime after it starts (we usually get a dust storm first).

 

[Lbray812]

I am in the the middle of a SLAM so wasn’t sure if I should!

Also just asking a general question about what to do if you see FC at 0 for example one day maybe bc of a storm or what not. No algae. Just a FC 0 for any reason. I’d rather dose my pool a little bit to prevent needing to Slam. Does this make sense?

Here are my results
FC 20
CC 1
PH 7.4
TA 60
CYA 50
CH 500
Salt 3350

 

[TinFoilHat]

Did you begin because of a failed OCLT? If so then continue your SLAM until you meet the three passing criteria. Then you'll want to keep your FC at the high end of the recommended level range for your CYA. That's how you stay out of trouble. Put your pool and equipment details into your signature along with your test kit details so we know what you're running when you have questions.

 

[Lbray812]

Added signature. Took a bit to find.

Slammed due to 0 FC and an algae battle. I started the slam on Monday and I’m still going. So with a CYA of 50 I should be staying around 8 FC according to below chart? Is my SWG even enough to produce that much chlorine in a day? I had been running at 65% for most of last year and I don’t think my FC ever made It above 3.

Also would FC 8 make swimmers uncomfortable? Thanks a lot


37k gal, IG plaster, intelliflo VSF pump, Pentair cartridge filter, intellichlor ic-40 SWG, Pentair racer cleaner, Taylor K2005C test kit

 

[proavia]

How are you testing SLAM Process chlorine (FC) levels with a CYA of 50 and a K2005C test kit?
SLAM Process FC for CYA 50 is FC of 20.

How do you plan to do an accurate Overnight Chlorine Loss Test?

Is there an additional test kit or reagents you have that aren't listed in your signature?

FC/CYA Levels
PoolMath
Test Kits Compared

 

[Lbray812]

Yes! Forgot to mention I have

Taylor Replacement Reagent FAS-DPD. Didn’t come in the kit but bought separately.​

37k gal, IG plaster, intelliflo VSF pump, Pentair cartridge filter, intellichlor ic-40 SWG, Pentair racer cleaner, Taylor K2005C test kit + FAS-DPD

 

[Lbray812]

Didn’t mean to make the thread about SLAM. Does my SWG produce enough chlorine to maintain 7-8 FC and is this okay for babies to swim in?

Ty!

37k gal, IG plaster, intelliflo VSF pump, Pentair cartridge filter, intellichlor ic-40 SWG, Pentair racer cleaner, Taylor K2005C test kit + FAS-DPD

 

[PoolStored]

The cell is marginal for your pool size. Running at 100%, 24/7, it creates 4.5 FC per day...at "documented" capacity. Summer, without a solar cover. FC demand can be 3.5-5.5 FC.

I would recommend you upgrade, if you can, to an IC-60. It will make 6.5FC at 100%, 24/7. At 90% it will make 5.8 in your pool. Don't run the cell at 100%, 24/7...that is the quickest way to kill a cell.

As to your babies, it is completely safe to swim with FC up to, and including, SLAM level FC for your CYA. Slam level FC is (current CYA/10)*4. If your CYA is 50, then (50/10)*4 = 20. I would put my grandkids in my pool, with CYA of 50, with FC up to and including 20ppm. No worries!

You might even consider putting in parallel cells.

SWG Multiple Cells - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Lbray812]

The cell is marginal for your pool size. Running at 100%, 24/7, it creates 4.5 FC per day...at "documented" capacity. Summer, without a solar cover. FC demand can be 3.5-5.5 FC.

I would recommend you upgrade, if you can, to an IC-60. It will make 6.5FC at 100%, 24/7. At 90% it will make 5.8 in your pool. Don't run the cell at 100%, 24/7...that is the quickest way to kill a cell.

As to your babies, it is completely safe to swim with FC up to, and including, SLAM level FC for your CYA. Slam level FC is (current CYA/10)*4. If your CYA is 50, then (50/10)*4 = 20. I would put my grandkids in my pool, with CYA of 50, with FC up to and including 20ppm. No worries!

You might even consider putting in parallel cells.

SWG Multiple Cells - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Great ideas thank you.
Is that 4.5 per day running at 100% for 24 hours or for the 12 hours I run my pump. Will assume that it’s for 24 hours.

so 4.5FC / 2 x .90 = 2 FC of production per day running at 90% for 12 hours.

Let’s say I can’t upgrade or just in general if I want to do It next year, how should I make up the deficit? If my demand is 3.5 to 5 I need to add at least 1.5 per day
according to the Pool Math calculator I need to add an additional 70 ounces of liquid chlorine every day in order to keep up? Does anyone do this? I use the pool once a week at most! That’s insane!!!!

 

[PoolStored]

Will assume that it’s for 24 hours.

Correct.

Let’s say I can’t upgrade or just in general if I want to do It next year, how should I make up the deficit? If my demand is 3.5 to 5 I need to add at least 1.5 per day
according to the Pool Math calculator I need to add an additional 70 ounces of liquid chlorine every day in order to keep up? Does anyone do this? I use the pool once a week at most! That’s insane!!!!

Liquid Chlorine. You have a very large pool.