Hayward SWG - 0% chlorine

[surfaceofthesun]

Hi all,

We are brand new pool owners since May and have the SWG system. It's been going well until this week, chlorine is reading 0%. We turned it up to 100% production for a couple days and still says 0%. We confirmed at pool store FC is 0.17. We did have a couple storms recently with lots of leaves in the pool. The pool water otherwise feels fine and is sparkling and clear. The salt cell has been manually cleaned. I have read about OCLT but our FC is too low to even do that. What to do next?

FC = 0.17
TC = 0.34
pH = 8.1
T/A = 107
CH = 286
CYA = 46
Phos = 198 ppb
Salt = 3354

 

[JJ_Tex]

Typically you use your SWG to maintain your chlorine, but use liquid chlorine when you need a boost.

I am concerned that you have algae if you are running at 100% and still have that low of a FC level. If it were me, this is what I would do:

1. Add 3/4 gallon of 10% liquid chlorine to get your FC up to 5
2. Order a good test kit
3. Maintain your FC of 5 through your SWG and additions of liquid chlorine until your kit arrives
4. Once your kit arrives, perform an OCLT to determine if you have algae.
5. If you fail the OCLT, start the SLAM process

 

[Mdragger88]

Use liquid chlorine to reach target fc levels now.
FC/CYA Levels

Use PoolMath to calculate amounts.
& do the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test at target fc levels to rule out algae before troubleshooting your swcg.
You must have your own fas/dpd test for this- it is included in one of the recommended test kits.
Test Kits Compared
Your results look to be pool store results so that may or may not actually be your cya.
They get that one wrong quite often. A proper test kit is a must.
If it is accurate, Your cya is quite low for Arizona and a swcg. This could have led to your swcg not being able to keep up as the max fc your cell can produce in 24 hrs in your pool is 5-6ppm in optimal conditions.
In sunny Arizona daily fc loss in an algae free pool can be near 5ppm in the summer, possibly more with high bather loads or weather events/organic materials.
But You don’t want to raise cya until you ensure you are algae free with the OCLT & possibly the SLAM Process if necessary.

 

[surfaceofthesun]

Thanks so much! We do have the TF-100 test kit and will run all our own numbers today. What you are saying makes sense. We swim every day and so do the dogs haha. Appreciate the input!

 

[Mdragger88]

Thanks so much! We do have the TF-100 test kit and will run all our own numbers today. What you are saying makes sense. Appreciate the input!

Fantastic
Post only those- not pool store test results.

 

[proavia]

Those test results look like they are from a pool store.
Toss them.

Use your TF-100 and post a full set of current test results
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Salt
Water temperature

Does your test kit include a drop based salt test? If not, get a Taylor K-1766
Do you have a SpeedStir or SmartStir device. It makes testing so much easier and consistent.

 

[surfaceofthesun]

Those test results look like they are from a pool store.
Toss them.

Use your TF-100 and post a full set of current test results
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Salt
Water temperature

Does your test kit include a drop based salt test? If not, get a Taylor K-1766
Do you have a SpeedStir or SmartStir device. It makes testing so much easier and consistent.

We have the salt stick things (dippers); we didnt realize we needed a different kit until after it arrived; we will have to order the salt specific things.