K-1766 salt test inconsistent results

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T

thunder550

0
May 17, 2017
37
Cave Creek, AZ
Pool Size
6000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
CircuPool RJ-30 Plus
I just converted my pool to salt. Seems that in my impatience waiting for my test kit to arrive before adding salt, I may have put too much in....but I'm getting weird result with the drop test, so I'm not sure.

6000 gallon pool, added 160 lbs of salt. Instructions from the SWG calls for 175 lbs, assuming I had zero to start with.

Pool was a fresh fill back at the end of March, and I maybe have run 4-5 gallons of LC in it since then, and maybe a gallon of MA. Salt cell/system is telling me I'm around 4000-4100.

I received my salt test kit today, and tested. First test came back at 6400. I thought I messed something up since that was so high, so I tested again. 5800. Then tested again, 5400. Then tested a 4th time, 5000. And yes I was using a 10ml sample 👍

Am I doing something wrong here? I rinsed the tube out every time and got all of the precipitate out. The results seem like they are all over the map, not sure what's going on...or what to believe.

Any help here would be appreciated...thanks!
 
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Has the pool been well circulated and brushed vigorously since adding the salt? The test results act like either poorly mixed pool water or testing error.
Do you have a Speedstir? Those are nearly required to get consistent salinity test results.
 
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550,

The K-1766 salt test is one of the most repeatable tests there is. I also have the smart-stir.

There is one very obvious stopping point and it is hard to miss.

When you get close to the stopping point you will see the color change for half a second and then immediately change back. The very first drop where the color changes and does not change back, is where you stop. The exact shade of color is not important.

You have to have a small delay between drops.

You can NEVER trust what the salt cells reports as accurate. It may be, and it may not be. The only test to trust is the K-1766.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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mknauss said:
Has the pool been well circulated and brushed vigorously since adding the salt? The test results act like either poorly mixed pool water or testing error.
Do you have a Speedstir? Those are nearly required to get consistent salinity test results.
Click to expand...
Yes, I brushed until I couldn't see salt on the bottom, then ran the suction cleaner for 4 hours, and I run my pump 24/7...salt went in yesterday, it's been about 36 hours.

I should add that all the samples for the 4 tests I ran came from the same sample bottle that I filled from the pool.

I don't have a speed stir...will look at getting one. Thanks.
 
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Jimrahbe said:
550,

The K-1766 salt test is one of the most repeatable tests there is. I also have the smart-stir.

There is one very obvious stopping point and it is hard to miss.

When you get close to the stopping point you will see the color change for half a second and then immediately change back. The very first drop where the color changes and does not change back, is where you stop. The exact shade of color is not important.

You have to have a small delay between drops.

You can NEVER trust what the salt cells reports as accurate. It may be, and it may not be. The only test to trust is the K-1766.

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
Thanks Jim. That's exactly how I was running the test. Will try again in the morning with a new sample bottle and see if I do any better. Maybe the beer was talking tonight or something 😂
 
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Got 4800 testing again just now. Took my time, swirled a bunch between drops, and made sure I was holding the bottle vertically. Ordered a speed stir, should be here tomorrow. Guess I'll hang tight till then.
 
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Sounds like 4800 is about the right number with what you put in, possibly the pool volume is a bit different, fill water salt content, etc. Will be interesting if the Speedstir gets a different result.
 
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From what I'm reading online, salt levels of 6000+ have the potential to cause corrosion and damage stuff. Assuming 4800 is correct for mine, would you all run it high, or still drain and correct?
 
thunder550 said:
From what I'm reading online, salt levels of 6000+ have the potential to cause corrosion and damage stuff. Assuming 4800 is correct for mine, would you all run it high, or still drain and correct?
Click to expand...
I would not run that high. Depending on the SWCG and how much rain overflow you get, I would run closer to the low 3000’s as that way most people cannot taste the salt.
 
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Drained and refilled approx 30% of the water. Salt levels are reading 3400 now. I'll test again in the morning just to be sure the fresh water is all mixed in with the old water, but so far so good.

Just for S&G, here's my before and after numbers, both a few hours apart:

Level - Before -> After
FC - 8 -> 6.5
CC - 0 -> 0
pH 7.8 -> 7.8
TA 80 -> 90
CH 500 -> 450
CYA 80 -> 60
Salt 4800 -> 3400

I tested fill water yesterday:
0.0 FC
0.0 CC
8.0 pH
150 TA
160 CH
400 Salt
 
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