New pool owner and new Intex 12x24 SWG pool set

daoffroadnut

Member
Oct 3, 2020
14
San Diego, CA
Hi all, new pool owner here hoping to finish the installation of our Intex 12x24 SWG pool I have had sitting in our garage for 2 1/2 months. Due to work travel I'm just now getting around to set it up, I have all the blocks close to where they need to be (I laid the frame out to mark the spots) and leveled with in 1/4 inch of each other using my buddies laser, my ground is hard as concrete and full of rocks so that part sucked. I already have a Taylor K2006C test kit (was gift from friend) and I have the Taylor Salt test kit on hand. Also have the salt, pool chlorine, and bag of CYA for when I get it filled, no worries I have not talked to a pool store, been reading on this site for past couple months in preparation.

My plan and feel free to correct me, once filled, get chlorine in based the app to FC to about 3.0, add about 75% of salt needed, and about 75% of CYA needed and get it all circulating and then test eveything. Will post the results using the app. Been a long time since I have maintained a pool, about 30 years ago when I lived with my parents and even then i didn't do chemicals, just cleaning portion.

thanks for taking the time to read my rambling
 

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Wait 24hrs after adding 75% of the salt to get an accurate measure ppm of salt. CYA, don't backwash or drain the pool any after adding. Takes about a week for it to show the accurate results. Use the sock method too for cya. You can also test your tap water if you are using that to fill your pool to see where your ph and ta will likely be. That way you will know if you need to add some muriatic acid or aerate.
 
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Nicely done. That attention to detail & going the full measure without compromise will have LT benefits. You may want to consider "Pre filtering" the water when it's time to fill up. I, myself used this filter (see pic) & it paid off in spades. With the city upgrading the city water lines alot of dirt/sediment have been introduced into tap water. Boil orders, water heaters sold out & city wide home filtration prematurely pm'ed. Anyway, I wish I had a pic of the before & after of filter cartridge but lets just say from white to black particulates (80%) @ 8,000 gallons. Hit the ground running as it pertains to chemical & clarity.09743316.jpg
 
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Thanks for the advice, I already have two house water filters installed and extra filters. I got it setup today working mostly by myself and started filling, couple inches in it and shut it off for the night. Had to adjust a few blocks but I think they are good now.
 
You can also buy rv filters at Walmart that you hook to a hose but with whole house filters you should be good. Might use them up though filling that thing. Looks like you’re doing a fantastic job. Carry on.
 
thanks, it might finish filling tonight, I have a spigot that is before my house pressure regulator so it is filling faster as I wanted. I'm having strouble figuring out the chlorine test on my taylor K2006c kit, need t find a video on how to do it right.
 

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Got it filled by 4:30, pretty amazed the water level is within about 1/2 inch or so. Me and my daughter got to play in it for a bit before I added anything. Checked the FC after watching a video on it, FC was 1.0, added chlorine, checked PH and looks like 8.0 to me. Did not look at CYA, but did add 3 lbs via the sock. added 4 bags of salt and brushed it in. Will test everything in the morning, letting the filter run all night.
 
Got it filled by 4:30, pretty amazed the water level is within about 1/2 inch or so. Me and my daughter got to play in it for a bit before I added anything. Checked the FC after watching a video on it, FC was 1.0, added chlorine, checked PH and looks like 8.0 to me. Did not look at CYA, but did add 3 lbs via the sock. added 4 bags of salt and brushed it in. Will test everything in the morning, letting the filter run all night.
When I filled ours (exact same pool) I didn't add anything until after the salt....once I had salt levels up and a 32 hour boost cycle on the SWG (older Intex) I checked chlorine levels, which ended up being spot on after 5 bags and boost....upped CYA (also via sock method) and added 2lbs of baking soda since alkalinity was off...spot checking all summer an haven't had to do much since....once you get it it's awesome...I run the pump 8 hours'ish a day mainly for the solar heater and a four hour SWG cycle.....waters been crystal clear all summer.... Enjoy your pool! :D
 
Thanks, So I ran the pump most of the night and came out early this morning to start it back up. Ran a couple samples and below are the results, did not run CYA was going to give it another day as I discovered there was a whole in the sock I used. So I used the brush to spread/mix what was on the bottom.

FC 1.8 ( Added some pool chlorine)
PH 7.4 (Did not add anything)
TA 280 (Did not add anything)
CH 230 (Did not add anything)
SALT 4000 (only added 4 of 6 bags intex instructions call for yesterday during initial fill)
 

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Had a question, for the sand filter backwash discharge port, I have an 1 1/2 discharge hose but no way to connect it to the port that measures just over 2". is there anything at homers or lowes i can grab that I can use?
I use these:


...and a clamp with my 1.5"x32' hose....worked quite well....
 
Yep. saw that adapter reading on here after I posted, should be here today, thanks. Now I have two problems and am in need of advice, here are my latest samples as of this morning,
FC 4.4
PH 7.6
TA 150
CH 300
CYA 30
SALT 4200
water temp 80F

Second, came out this morning with a massive leak, this hose going out from SWG to pool, the threads on the gray lock nut will not snug up on the housing. I turned the hose around and both ends will tighten against the valve but not the SWG, any one deal with this before?
 

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Yep. saw that adapter reading on here after I posted, should be here today, thanks. Now I have two problems and am in need of advice, here are my latest samples as of this morning,
FC 4.4
PH 7.6
TA 150
CH 300
CYA 30
SALT 4200
water temp 80F

Second, came out this morning with a massive leak, this hose going out from SWG to pool, the threads on the gray lock nut will not snug up on the housing. I turned the hose around and both ends will tighten against the valve but not the SWG, any one deal with this before?

Did the rubber insert/washer on the SWG fall out? I've seen that when it's missing....
 
No the washer is in there, seems more of a problem with the threads on the SWG and not the hose nut. When you tighten it it pops off a thread and loosens. I've been a helo mechanic for 30 years, the hardware on this system has the looses tolerances i've ever seen
 
I've had a similar issue - not quite as bad - but on the other side where the hose connects to the plunger valve going back to the pool. I think you're right - tolerances are pretty sloppy! Not sure if a liberal application of plumbers tape might help here?
 
With a SWG, you can raise your CYA to 70-80 and it won't have to run as long to keep up you FC. Minimum FC for that would be 5 ppm, but I like to keep mine closer to 7 ppm (or 10% of CYA).

Also, if you haven't already, look into installing a Hayward through the wall skimmer. It'll help keep the pool much cleaner than the floating skimmers that Intex uses.
 
Also, if you haven't already, look into installing a Hayward through the wall skimmer. It'll help keep the pool much cleaner than the floating skimmers that Intex uses.
+1 for this....I was reluctant to do this and then finally did and was well worth the mild stress cutting into the Intex liner....but once it's in it's fantastic....
 
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pH 7.6 is right in the middle of where you want it. TA is a little high, but using muriatic acid to lower pH over time will bring it down. SWGs will cause pH to creep up, so you'll be adding MA eventually on a regular basis. I add a gallon per month.
 

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