Is that Algae?

[Mdragger88]

The intex units don’t use enough electricity for an upgrade to make that much financial sense. Just run it longer.
An hour or two more is probably enough. In the peak of the summer you may need to increase that to around 8hrs. You want to test fc - raise to high target with liquid chlorine, adjust the swg then see if it maintains. This can take a few rounds of tinkering.

 

[Clem116]

Ignore what they say- do what your pool needs. If you pass the oclt then you’ll know it’s not algae eating your fc but that your swg isn’t keeping up so it’s runtime needs to be increased.

I'll upgrade the SWG as well to have more output.

 

[Clem116]

The intex units don’t use enough electricity for an upgrade to make that much financial sense. Just run it longer.
An hour or two more is probably enough. In the peak of the summer you may need to increase that to around 8hrs. You want to test fc - raise to high target with liquid chlorine, adjust the swg then see if it maintains. This can take a few rounds of tinkering.

So you don't think I should upgrade SWG?

This is the SWG I have (Chlorine output: 5g/hr ) - Krystal Clear™ Saltwater Pool Chlorine System - 7,000 Gal

Should I upgrade to this? (Chlorine output: 12g/hr )Krystal Clear™ Saltwater Pool Chlorine System - 15,000 Gal

 

[Mdragger88]

I wouldn’t- an extra hour or two of run time won’t increase your utility bill enough to see an roi. Your current unit is rated for 2x’s your pool’s volume so it should be sufficient.
When your current unit dies you may want to upgrade then, especially if you forsee upgrading to a larger pool.
For context, in my 6500 gal pool I ran the 15k unit for about 6-8 hours a day depending upon the time of the season. That would mean you would likely only need to run it about 3 hours in your pool - I personally like to run my pump more than 3 hours a day anyway so it’s kind of a moot point in that regard. The swg draws very little electricity.
What filter/pump do you have? Are you satisfied with it’s performance?
That’s usually worth upgrading from the tiny ones that come with the pool if you’re looking to spend some $$.

 

[Clem116]

I wouldn’t- an extra hour or two of run time won’t increase your utility bill enough to see an roi. Your current unit is rated for 2x’s your pool’s volume so it should be sufficient.
When your current unit dies you may want to upgrade then, especially if you forsee upgrading to a larger pool.
For context, in my 6500 gal pool I ran the 15k unit for about 6-8 hours a day depending upon the time of the season. That would mean you would likely only need to run it about 3 hours in your pool - I personally like to run my pump more than 3 hours a day anyway so it’s kind of a moot point in that regard. The swg draws very little electricity.
What filter/pump do you have? Are you satisfied with it’s performance?
That’s usually worth upgrading from the tiny ones that come with the pool if you’re looking to spend some $$.

Yea, I upgraded the sand filter pump as the one that came with the pool was a bit too small for my taste.

The original pool came with an SX925, which said I needed to run for about 6 hours for my size pool.

Here is the new pump I bought: INTEX 26645EG SX2100. Says I only need to run it for 3 hours but obviously I need to run it for longer as I need to run my SWG for about 5-7hrs. That's fine to have a big pump over running the recommended time, right? Do these pumps use a lot of electricity?

 

[Mdragger88]

Yea, I upgraded the sand filter pump as the one that came with the pool was a bit too small for my taste.

The original pool came with an SX925, which said I needed to run for about 6 hours for my size pool.

Here is the new pump I bought: INTEX 26645EG SX2100. Says I only need to run it for 3 hours but obviously I need to run it for longer as I need to run my SWG for about 5-7hrs. That's fine to have a big pump over running the recommended time, right? Do these pumps use a lot of electricity?

That is only a .3hp pump. It only uses .223 kilowatts. That’s .000223 per kwh.
Here we pay 12 cents per kwh.
I wouldn’t spend hundreds to save less than a penny per month.

 

[Clem116]

Thanks!

Just got my SpeedStir and something is weird...

Test kit used with SpeedStir: K2006c

Manual FC test = 6
SpeedStir FC test = 4.5

Also, how did I lose so much FC just in the morning, is that normal? Lots of sun here in Florida. SWG has only been on for 1.5 hrs. Should I start the SWG earlier in the AM, like 9?

 

[Mdragger88]

Did you do these tests at the exact same time?
If not it’s probably a little fc loss & a little testing variance.
The speed stir allows you to go a little faster instead of swirl, drop, swirl, drop.
So the result can be lower because as the sample sits it becomes pink again resulting in you using & counting more drops to get to clear.

 

[Clem116]

Did you do these tests at the exact same time?
If not it’s probably a little fc loss & a little testing variance.
The speed stir allows you to go a little faster instead of swirl, drop, swirl, drop.
So the result can be lower because as the sample sits it becomes pink again resulting in you using & counting more drops to get to clear.

No, 3 mins apart and I used water from the same sample tube.

So which reading should I use? I also feel like if I do the exact same test twice my numbers will vary....Should I just test once and that's it and just use that number?

Please confirm that testing with the SpeedStir is MORE accurate than swirl.

 

[Mdragger88]

Your cya counts as 90 so dose with liquid chlorine to at least the middle of target range & turn the swg up.

 

[Mdragger88]

No, 3 mins apart and I used water from the same sample tube.

So which reading should I use? I also feel like if I do the exact same test twice my numbers will vary....Should I just test once and that's it and just use that number?

Please confirm that testing with the SpeedStir is MORE accurate than swirl.

Yes - it is more accurate for the reason I mentioned. Use that #. & raise your fc now.

 

[Clem116]

Yes - it is more accurate for the reason I mentioned. Use that #. & raise your fc now.

Could my SWG not be working properly? I mean it is brand new, just 3 weeks old. Since I put my pool up I've been struggling to keep a good FC level. Everything else is fine.

 

[Mdragger88]

If you see bubbles in the cell - it’s working.
Being as how you’re struggling with fc (although average fc loss is 2-5ppm/day), you barely passed the
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test, & you had extended periods with fc below minimum for your cya-
You may want to try another oclt again tonight to confirm.
Do you see any algae anywhere? Like in the flaps of the seams or in the ladder?

 

[Clem116]

If you see bubbles in the cell - it’s working.
Being as how you’re struggling with fc (although average fc loss is 2-5ppm/day), you barely passed the
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test, & you had extended periods with fc below minimum for your cya-
You may want to try another oclt again tonight to confirm.
Do you see any algae anywhere? Like in the flaps of the seams or in the ladder?

I feel like I see very tiny bubbles, take a look at the video and Screenshots.

Video: Streamable Video

We’ve had a lot of rain last week in Florida… can this be part of the reason?

No, the water is crystal clear and beautiful and I just brushed the whole pool yesterday and it was perfect.

 

[Clem116]

@Mdragger88 Let me know and THANK you for all of your help.

 

[Mdragger88]

On the video it looks like it is working. When you turn the swg off (just the swg- not the pump) do they stop?

 

[Mdragger88]

Normally in a large pool rain won’t make much difference. However in a tiny one it sometimes can.
Always sure your bets with more fc.

 

[Clem116]

On the video it looks like it is working. When you turn the swg off (just the swg- not the pump) do they stop?

Yes, they do stop!

So I started a new OCLT and the FC tonight is at 3.8 ppm. Down from about 4.5 this am. Will report back tomorrow morning's test.

 

[Mdragger88]

Yes, they do stop!

So I started a new OCLT and the FC tonight is at 3.8 ppm. Down from about 4.5 this am. Will report back tomorrow morning's test.

Please raise that fc to target level & confirm after 30 minutes for your oclt starting number - or you will have algae, 3.8 is below minimum for your cya.
Also - use a 10ml sample & each drop will count as .5 , that’s accurate enough & will preserve your reagents .

 

[Clem116]

Please raise that fc to target level & confirm after 30 minutes for your oclt starting number - or you will have algae, 3.8 is below minimum for your cya.
Also - use a 10ml sample & each drop will count as .5 , that’s accurate enough & will preserve your reagents .

So add liquid chlorine now (Per the app), wait 30mins and then test again?