My first SLAM

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Something is still amiss. :cry:

10pm FC was 10.
6:30am was 7.5.

It's not going to be warm enough to get in again today, so I will do my best with that seam from outside and above.
 
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Well, I'm still losing some chlorine overnight and I feel that my SWCG isn't producing much. Salt is a bit high at 4000 but I'm okay with that for now. I cleaned the SWCG yesterday and got the gunk out. BUT....my CYA seems to have dropped significantly the past couple of weeks. Seems to be below 30 which could explain the chlorine loss/underproduction. But what causes such a huge drop? Could my three week SLAM have caused it?
 
How much is some? 1ppm or less is acceptable.

High fc levels for an extended period of time can degrade cya.
In general some folks lose a few ppm a month at normal fc levels as well.
Then Add in backwashing/exchanging water.
Those units don’t stand a chance with low cya unless they are extremely oversized which is rare.
I would do a proper Overnight Chlorine Loss Test Before raising cya .

The only ch test I see in your poolmath logs is 275 & that was over a year ago.
Managing csi & keeping it neutral to slightly negative is necessary to prevent build up of scale on your swg plates.
You need to switch on csi tracking in the poolmath settings. It also requires the water temp & current ch as well as the other parameters.
www.google.com

Calcium Saturation Index (CSI)

How is CSI calculated? Very simple – by using the PoolMath tool. To ensure long plaster life and save money, click here to learn more
www.google.com www.google.com
Every time you clean them with acid you remove some of the precious metals that produce the chlorine & therefore shorten its life. Its best to try to use a credit card or popsicle stick to remove scale then possibly moving on to vinegar before resorting to diluted muriatic acid.
www.troublefreepool.com

Water Balance for SWGs

Saltwater pools are becoming more and more popular. We discuss How salt generators work and water balance tips for SWGs to run them.
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
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Mdragger88 said:
How much is some? 1ppm or less is acceptable.
Click to expand...
I will do a proper OCLT tonight. It hasn't been alarming or I would've been here. ;)
Mdragger88 said:
High fc levels for an extended period of time can degrade cya.
In general some folks lose a few ppm a month at normal fc levels as well.
Then Add in backwashing/exchanging water.
Those units don’t stand a chance with low cya unless they are extremely oversized which is rare.
I would do a proper Overnight Chlorine Loss Test Before raising cya .
Click to expand...
Oops...I dumbed about half a pound in a sock and am adding it. I won't add more until tomorrow if needed.
Mdragger88 said:
The only ch test I see in your poolmath logs is 275 & that was over a year ago.
Managing csi & keeping it neutral to slightly negative is necessary to prevent build up of scale on your swg plates.
You need to switch on csi tracking in the poolmath settings. It also requires the water temp & current ch as well as the other parameters.
Click to expand...
I couldn't get my ch down and read somewhere that it's not as important with vinyl pools. I'll do as you suggest, thanks.
Mdragger88 said:
Every time you clean them with acid you remove some of the precious metals that produce the chlorine & therefore shorten its life. Its best to try to use a credit card or popsicle stick to remove scale then possibly moving on to vinegar before resorting to diluted muriatic acid.
Click to expand...
Got it. (y) It's the first time I've cleaned them since installing the unit last June.

Logs updated.
 
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Pv2 said:
my experience with intex swg is the plates only last a year or two and either fail completely or just stop producing much chlorine even running 24/7. do an overnite test with it running to see if it INCREASES chlorine at all.
Click to expand...
That's too bad! So they are basically disposable. Kind of expensive for to replace every couple years. I'll do the test overnight tonight. Thanks.
 

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Newdude said:
Yes but as 'seasonal items' at the box stores, they have been found for $100 on clearance at the end of the season. These days that's not even 20 gallons of bleach.
Click to expand...
What box stores carry them? (y) (Found at WM...I'll keep my eye on them, thanks!)
 
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CarverGirl said:
I will do a proper OCLT tonight. It hasn't been alarming or I would've been here. ;)

Oops...I dumbed about half a pound in a sock and am adding it. I won't add more until tomorrow if needed.

I couldn't get my ch down and read somewhere that it's not as important with vinyl pools. I'll do as you suggest, thanks.

Got it. (y) It's the first time I've cleaned them since installing the unit last June.

Logs updated.
Click to expand...
Low ch isn’t a problem for vinyl pools or swg’s but high ch is a problem for all pools & swg’s
 
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CarverGirl said:
Is there a more reliable brand/generator that I should look in to?
Click to expand...
In the price range it's not about being reliable, it's about being in that price range. The plates inside the unit where the magic happens are stupid expensive. To have an attractive price point the plates are small and deplete proportionately so.

Just like the Intex style pool itself, you either replace it 4X as often or go with something 4X the price. (Full retail, not the clearance price)

Human nature being what it is, they could be $50 and people would be mad they wasted their hard earned $50 on it.

I on the other hand respect it for what it is.

unnamed.jpg
 
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Mdragger...The SWCG was added after I upgraded to the 16" sand filter. Purchased from Intex in Feb '21. Model 26669EG. I will call them when they open tomorrow. Guess I have to add even more chlorine until I get this resolved because I got another low salt error today and I do not have low salt. If anything, it's a bit high.

Newdude, I'm not worried about price point right now...just researching. I just wonder how many years you get out of a better/higher end unit. As a newbie, I bought an Intex unit just so it would match the rest of the equipment and it was 2021 and there wasn't much choice. ;) I really wanted Hayward (my neighbor had a giant cartridge filter on a Coleman pool and I was totally in lust with that thing).
 
That unit has the 2 yr warranty- Hopefully they will send u a replacement- u will need your proof of purchase 🧾
If u have about $600 u can get one of these 👇they have a 3yr warranty CaliMar® Salt Chlorinator for Inground Pools | Up to 25,000 Gallons | CMARSHA25-3Y
All the rest cost a bit more $$ but may have more longevity compared to generic cells. Here’s a good comparison chart👇

Compare and Review Saltwater Chlorine Generator Prices and Features | DSP

www.discountsaltpool.com www.discountsaltpool.com
Steer clear of the hayward salt & swim - it’s not the same quality as the aquarite t cells
 
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