I just set up an 18x52 Intex pool, upgraded to a 1 HP Hayward pump and sand filter and added an Intex SWG. I balanced all my chemicals (which tools me forever!) before adding salt to the pool but didn’t realize I needed to add chlorine to help get the SWG going for the first time. My SWG is currently running a boost cycle for 16 hours. Did I just make a mess of all the work I’ve put into this thing?!
I didn’t add Chlorine before I started my SWG, how much trouble am I in?
- Thread starter CelesteLincoln
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,028
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome to TFP! 
The mistake isn't adding chlorine because you can add extra chlorine to a salt pool at any time. The big issue is did you allow the salt to dissolve and acclimate to the new water at least 24 hrs before starting the SWG? That's key.
www.troublefreepool.com
The mistake isn't adding chlorine because you can add extra chlorine to a salt pool at any time. The big issue is did you allow the salt to dissolve and acclimate to the new water at least 24 hrs before starting the SWG? That's key.
Pool Care Basics Archives
Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!
www.troublefreepool.com
Thank you Texas Splash! Yes, I absolutely did! It was actually over 24 hours (with the pump running) between salt addition and turning my SWG on for the first time.Welcome to TFP!
Pool Care Basics Archives
Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!
So, now comes the question; do I test my levels after the boost is complete to determine how much chlorine to add?
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,028
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Here are some crash-course starting points to make sure we all see the same things:
- Here at TFP it's all about accurate home water testing. If you have a TF-100 or Taylor K-2006C, all is well. If not, that needs to be a priority. With salt, we would also encourage you to get a Taylor K-1766 salt test kit. No guesswork is out motto.
- New water has no CYA, so hopefully you have added stabilizer. We recommend a CYA minimum of 70 for salt pools, but in your area you could start with about 50 and see how that works.
- Should be no need to run your SWG on boost. Just ensure the FC is balanced to the current CYA as noted on the FC/CYA Levels. That chart is your key to avoiding algae.
- That link above in Post #2 has all the recommended level, chemicals and more.
But for now, keep it easy. Focus on the CYA, proper FC (based on that CYA), and keeping the pH between 7.2 - 7.8. Again, the proper test kit is critical.
The rest is easy and we can help you with at any time. If you have more questions just let us know.
I did a lot of research (or thought I did) before this pool endeavor. I already have a Taylor K-2005 SALT kit and added the Taylor K-1515-A FAS-DPD Chlorine test kit. See my attached levels for before I started my SWG.
I used the SWG boost cycle per the instructions from Intex and where this has taken me almost a week to get to this point, I thought it might be wise since I thought the sides of the pool felt a little slimy.
Also, I have this liquid Chlorine shock (image attached) but can’t seem to find the matching chemical under the pool math app recommendations. Can you assist with that?
Since you said there is no need for a boost cycle, should I cancel the boost cycle and add the chlorine?
Again, thank you! I have learned so much from TFP and truly appreciate the added guidance!
I used the SWG boost cycle per the instructions from Intex and where this has taken me almost a week to get to this point, I thought it might be wise since I thought the sides of the pool felt a little slimy.
Also, I have this liquid Chlorine shock (image attached) but can’t seem to find the matching chemical under the pool math app recommendations. Can you assist with that?
Since you said there is no need for a boost cycle, should I cancel the boost cycle and add the chlorine?
Again, thank you! I have learned so much from TFP and truly appreciate the added guidance!
Attachments
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,028
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
The bottle is perfect. Add it right away. You should never has a zero FC reading, so that could explain the slimy walls.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,019
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Thank you! Another kind person who replied said I could use the “bleach” calculator under what I want to use for a chemical and it will tell me how much?
Do I turn off the boost?
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,028
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
All of your Poolmath tests look great except for the FC. Not sure how/why you have zero as your CYA level is perfect to protect FC from the sun. 
I'm wondering if your SWG is operating properly?
Here's what I would recommend for today & this evening. Have more chlorine on-hand. That's your go-to product for about 24 hrs. With a CYA of 70, your FC level can go quite high with no problem. But for now, only increase it up to about 8-10 ppm. Try to keep it there for the remainder of the day and do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test this evening if you can. Remember for the OCLT teh SWG must be OFF. The OCLT records FC tests (one at bedtime and one in the morning) with no sunlight. If you pass the OCLT you are still algae-free. If you fail the OCLT (lose more than 1 ppm FC overnight) then you have algae.
But for today, keep that FC level strong in the 8-10 range. Brush the walls & floors to expose anything slimy to teh chlorine. With any luck maybe we can help you get ahead of this thing quickly.
Once we know you are algae-free, we'll come back to the SWG and troubleshoot why it wasn't maintaining the FC level for you.
I'm wondering if your SWG is operating properly?Here's what I would recommend for today & this evening. Have more chlorine on-hand. That's your go-to product for about 24 hrs. With a CYA of 70, your FC level can go quite high with no problem. But for now, only increase it up to about 8-10 ppm. Try to keep it there for the remainder of the day and do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test this evening if you can. Remember for the OCLT teh SWG must be OFF. The OCLT records FC tests (one at bedtime and one in the morning) with no sunlight. If you pass the OCLT you are still algae-free. If you fail the OCLT (lose more than 1 ppm FC overnight) then you have algae.
But for today, keep that FC level strong in the 8-10 range. Brush the walls & floors to expose anything slimy to teh chlorine. With any luck maybe we can help you get ahead of this thing quickly.
Once we know you are algae-free, we'll come back to the SWG and troubleshoot why it wasn't maintaining the FC level for you.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,028
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Look in the Poolmath product listing for liquid chlorine 12.5% strength. The Poolmath "Effects of Adding" should help tell you how much to add based on your pool size (gallons). If you get stuck let us know.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,019
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
You will need to put in the % of your bleach- it says 12.5% on the bottle
At the bottom poolmath will tell u how much to add
At the bottom poolmath will tell u how much to add
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,028
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
The SWG doesn't appear to have been working as of late, so you can certainly take it off boost. You will be using liquid chlorine for the next 24 hours or so, so you can even turn it off completely if you want.
Headed out to add the chlorine now! Fingers crossed!!
Side note; I just turned my SWG on for the first time 3 1/2 hours ago. I don’t think it’s had much time to work.
Side note; I just turned my SWG on for the first time 3 1/2 hours ago. I don’t think it’s had much time to work.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,028
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Ugh. Oh boy. Okay, that could explain things a bit better. Well, for now liquid chlorine is the proper Rx.
When you get back and relax, take a few moments to update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. See ours as examples. We will refer to them often with each post and reply.
Your ugh worries me a bit but now I get to fix this.
Just to reiterate;
-Turn SWG off
-Add recommended Chlorine to get to 8-10 ppm FC
-Test tonight
-Test in AM
- Can’t lose more than 1ppm or I have algae
Once this is squared away, I get back to using the SWG?
Just to reiterate;
-Turn SWG off
-Add recommended Chlorine to get to 8-10 ppm FC
-Test tonight
-Test in AM
- Can’t lose more than 1ppm or I have algae
Once this is squared away, I get back to using the SWG?
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,028
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Perfect!
Also be sure to give all the pool surfaces a good brushing today so the chlorine can get in there and take care of that sliminess. We'll watch for the result of your Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. In the meantime, if you have any questions just let us know.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,019
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
You got it! You’re a good student!
*If u pass the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test you dose again w/ bleach & then set the swg to maintain (they are great maintainers but they take time to produce fc - in that time nasties can grow
, they are not designed to get u to target 
FC/CYA Levels from zero - no matter what the manual says) * If u fail the OCLT you then proceed to the SLAM Process to eradicate the nasties before going forward w/ swg - they don’t make much of a dent in an algae problem cuz they produce fc low & slow.
Report back with your results & we’ll go from there
I added what the pool math told me too and scrubbed the whole pool. Just tested and my levels are wayyyyy high for FC and CC! What do I do now?Perfect!
Attachments
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,028
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Your signature is empty, but I see the brief profile info lists your pool size at almost 7K. By my estimates that's a little over a half gallon of 12%. How much did you add?