ichlor IC30 stopped producing?

[Skiddy]

Im in my 4th year of a new pool build and I usually keep my SWG at 25% with the pump running 18 hours per day at 1200-1500 RPMs which normally keeps my FC between 4-5 ppm.
I don't know what the average life span of a SWG is but I have noticed a decline over the last 6 months and I now have my SWG running at 50% I test my pool 2-3 x per week the water is still clear but the FC has gradually dropped about 1ppm per day this week and now reads 0. The SWG shows no errors and the salt level is 3550. We did have to add about 8" of water a few weeks ago for a water line repair but I don't see how that could throw things off so much. Could my SWG be failing after 4 years?

 

[ajw22]

SWG are binary. They generate until they are depleted. Their output does not gradually decline with age.

Do a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

More likely you have algae consuming the chlorine produced.

 

[Skiddy]

SWG are binary. They generate until they are depleted. Their output does not gradually decline with age.

Do a Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

More likely you have algae consuming the chlorine produced.

I have done that in the past but I have always noticed a color change or a cloudiness starting to change the water before I did the test. I will give it a try though.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Ski,

Have you tested your CYA lately?? Most of the time when I feel that my SWCG is not producing like it should, it turns out that my CYA is low..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Newdude]

I have done that in the past but I have always noticed a color change or a cloudiness starting to change the water before I did the test.

Ideally you notice the testing red flags, before the water turns.

Listen to your pool, it's trying to tell you something.

Maybe the CYA dipped and the FC isn't holding due to UV.

Maybe algae has set in.

Maybe #2 because #1.

OCLTs tell you everything you need to know and they're free.

 

[Skiddy]

I did check the CYA a few days ago and it was low. I did not know this would affect my FC so much. Ok let me get my CYA adjusted and I'll report back

 

[Newdude]

Ok let me get my CYA adjusted and I'll report back

Get your OCLT on before raising the CYA

Each 10 CYA raises your SLAM target 4FC.

 

[Skiddy]

I brushed the pool and cleaned the filter before adding 3lbs of stabilizer. It got good and cloudy after the first 24 hours but now almost 72 hours later the Cya is back to proper limits at 70-80 and the water is back to being crystal clear.
Unfortunately my FC is still less than 1ppm The Ichlor still shows no errors and salt is showing good levels. I was not able to do the OCLT due to my overnight work schedules but I will try it this weekend.
TA is 80
CA is 350
ph is 7.8

 

[Newdude]

Did you OCLT ?

 

[Skiddy]

Did you OCLT ?

I had mentioned in my post that I was not able to do it until the weekend. I work overnights and am gone before the sun sets and snoozing before it comes up so we will try it this weekend.

 

[Newdude]

Ok we are spinning our wheels until then.

If it's algae you need to SLAM Process, with a higher FC target now that there is more CYA.

If you pass the OCLT, then we look at the SWG.

I had mentioned in my post

I see it now.

 

[Skiddy]

Ok finally had time to do a OCLT and my PPM FC went from 2.4 down to 1.8
Is that a strong indication of an infection? Do I need to perform a slam?

 

[ajw22]

Ok finally had time to do a OCLT and my PPM FC went from 2.4 down to 1.8
Is that a strong indication of an infection? Do I need to perform a slam?

I think a SLAM that should only take a few days at SLAM FC level would be beneficial.

 

[Skiddy]

I did a slam two weekends ago and I do believe I was in the early stages of infection. The water did not look bad before but it looks much clearer now. (funny how that works) The FC levels dropped back down to normal levels now but
I unfortunately cannot get a grasp on the stability of the SWCG because it has rained here in SW florida every day this week throwing off my readings. To be continued then

 

[Jimrahbe]

Skiddy,

Trying to micromanage a SWCG will just drive you crazy..

I suggest that you just give up, and just allow your cell to keep your FC in your target range or higher...

Notice I did not say.. "Keep your FC between your minimum and your target"...

Running a little hot will not hurt a thing and it makes pool life easy..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Skiddy]

Well its back down to less than 1ppm FC. I think I will give it a good cleaning with acid and see if that helps and if not then I will deal with it after the season. My water temp is over 90

 

[VST]

did you try a system reset of the pump in the pentair app?

 

[Skiddy]

did you try a system reset of the pump in the pentair app?

Not sure if that applies here. I don't use the app to calculate any of these readings. As far as the SWG goes I can see the settings on the unit.