New pool - SWG settings?

[benpcoleman]

Hi friends, brand new pool and loving it - got my Taylor test kit and learning a ton. The pool “pro” set up guy we had assigned from the builder was quite unhelpful. He set stuff up but didn’t really orient me to much and so now I’m left trying to figure it out. He set the SWG to 90% output in pool and 4% in spa. I’ve had low FC readings (.5-1.0) due to high bather load (ie kids) and so I’ve had to run the pump for longer. Right now 8 hours a day. Any advice to how to set up the SWG and maximize its effect? Sat readings are good at 3650.

If I can sneak in one question too…how come I have low TA (40) but high ph (8.0)? Just fluctuations? Going to get TA to 70 then reduce ph, right?

 

[needsajet]

Welcome to TFP. Good to have you here

On the second question, that combination is highly unlikely, so perhaps double-check the testing instructions on TA and be extra careful. Some call the final color "full barbie pink" although my granddaughter tells me "That's NOT barbie pink!"

Regarding the SWCG, the size of your pool and the model of SWCG is needed for anyone to help. You can add a signature which gets added to your posts. That's very helpful for everyone reading. Create Your Signature - Further Reading

 

[benpcoleman]

Thanks! I checked it twice - same reading both times. I’m stopping the first drop that turns it from green to red, correct?

Weird, I have all that on my signature! 14k gallons and Pentair intellichlor ic-40.

 

[proavia]

I have all that on my signature! 14k gallons and Pentair intellichlor ic-40.

I believe you added that to your profile that shows on the left.

Add a signature here:

https://www.troublefreepool.com/account/signature

Include pool, pool equipment (including manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit info.
Your signarure will appear below your post.
See @needsajet and my signatures for info to include - be specific.

 

[needsajet]

with the drops, continue adding one more drop until no further color change is observed, and the result includes the final drop

 

[needsajet]

Run time for the SWCG will be learned based on experience. In very round numbers, you can expect to need somewhere around 5 to 9 hours per day for your pool (that being 2 to 4 ppm FC per day).

Be sure to bring up the FC level to what you want with chlorinating liquid, and then let the SWCG maintain it.

With a lot of kids, expect your FC consumption to be high. Some people put a half-gallon of chlorinating liquid in before the gaggle arrives. I have to do this myself because I've overheard them trying to gross one another out about what they're adding to the water, lol.

Just to be sure you don't have nascent algae consuming chlorine, do this test: Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. Algae starts out invisible to the naked eye. By the time you see green, there are billions of cells and they've started to form colonies. It's an easy test that provides peace of mind.

 

[benpcoleman]

You guys are the best! Okay, error on my part for the TA, wrong calculation! TA is 100, ph is 8.0, so just followed instructions and added muriatic acid. That stuff is no joke…

Last question. People refer to calculating how much chlorine is produced by SWG. However, it only tells me % of production. How do I calculate this so I know how much it produces?

 

[proavia]

Let me ping @mknauss , who can explain it much better than I can.

How do I calculate this so I know how much it produces?

You can use PoolMath, effects of adding.
Let me ping @mknauss , who can explain it much better than I can.

 

[mknauss]

Your SWCG will add 0.5 ppm FC per hour if set at 100%.

You need to determine how many hours each day you wish to run the pump. Then determine how much FC you need each day based on testing. I suggest setting it up to create 4 ppm FC per day initially.

 

[pjt]

People refer to calculating how much chlorine is produced by SWG. However, it only tells me % of production. How do I calculate this so I know how much it produces?

PoolMath will give you an estimate for FC production: "Effects of Adding" --> "Chemical Additions" --> "SWG"

 

[cwsosby]

You guys are the best! Okay, error on my part for the TA, wrong calculation! TA is 100, ph is 8.0, so just followed instructions and added muriatic acid. That stuff is no joke…

Last question. People refer to calculating how much chlorine is produced by SWG. However, it only tells me % of production. How do I calculate this so I know how much it produces?

There are so many variables in regards to chlorine levels and SWG settings. Once you figure out how often you are going to run the pump it will be a lot easier to figure out through trial and error. I have a 25k gallon fiberglass pool with a Pentair IC-40 that runs @ 20% to keep my chlorine in an acceptable range (most of the time). I also run my pump on a lower RPM 24/7. However, once you start adding swimmers, water, sunlight, chemicals, etc. that is all going to have an affect. Sometimes I need to turn in up to 40% and other times I turn it off completely. Just kind of depends on what has been going on in the pool recently.