New SWG - Cloudy haze out of return, and chem test questions!

[Shruggs85]

Hello,

Will start off with an apology for the word dump, but could use some help/guidance! I just had a pentair, intellichlor IC40 installed, (about 4 days ago) and am working to get the balance correct in the pool.

1) I am noticing now a cloudy haze near the shallow end in my return, that drifts to the skimmer and dissipates. I am not noticing this near the return in the deep end of the pool. From other forums, it sounds as though this could possibly be hydrogen bubbles being produced by the SWG? I'm unsure on this, as if it was that, wouldn't it be from both returns? I am also hoping I can find a way to eliminate this as it isn't the most pleasing to look at in the pool itself. During install, there was new plumbing work done to tie in for the return, but pressure appears great at the pump compared against prior to install. I haven't turned off the SWG to see if it is eliminated, as you'll understand why based on the next question.

2) If testing water at the return, I see that I am outputting levels around 3-4 in FC, however if I test another area in the pool, I am only seeing levels at .5. I have been running the SWG at various levels, with yesterday running at 60% production. Cycle time has been 8a-5p on a timer. Am I missing something with the test, or should this be getting to proper levels throughout the pool? I know my CYA levels are low, and I need to get more stabilizer in.

Visually, pool is clear minus a slight bit of Algae, however I am tying that to my chlorine levels dropping as I working to get the SWG proper and haven't added liquid chlorine in a while. Below are my most recent test results. As I mentioned above, I already know I have to bump up CYA by a lot (need roughly 4 gallons according to pool math) but not sure if that is the culprit to all my woes, or if I need to be looking/doing something else, and if I should be dumping in some more liquid chlorine to get the numbers up a bit. I did put the SWG on "Boost" mode and will let the pump run overnight to see where levels get tomorrow.

Appreciate any help/guidance on this!

FC - 0.5
CC - 0
pH - 7.5
TA - 70
CYA - 20
Salt - 3800

As an additional note - this season I also replaced all sand, and replaced the laterals in the filter. Prior to SWG setup, everything was working fine, water was TFP clear.

 

[mknauss]

From other forums, it sounds as though this could possibly be hydrogen bubbles being produced by the SWG? I'm unsure on this, as if it was that, wouldn't it be from both returns?

The bubbles exit the first return typically from the pad. We have found the 'fog' you are seeing will dissipate once the water warms and things balance out. What type of pump do you have?

Am I missing something with the test, or should this be getting to proper levels throughout the pool?

You need to bring the FC up to target level for the CYA (and CYA needs to be 60+) with liquid chlorine. Then the SWCG can maintain that FC based on your settings. Your current settings are adding 1.3 ppm FC to your pool each day. You will likely need to run the pump for far more hours per day to create the 3+ ppm FC your pool will need.

If you have algae, do a OCLT prior to adding CYA. You likely need to follow the SLAM Process

 

[Shruggs85]

1.5hp century pump - single stage.

I will bump up the FC and the CYA levels to what they should be at and increase run time. From there, how do I best determine what % to run the SWG at for routine usage?

 

[mknauss]

You said algae, I suggest you address that before raising CYA too much.

You determine the pump run time and SWCG settings based on FC needs. You test daily, and adjust until you find the sweet spot. Use Poolmath Effects of Adding Chemicals to see what the settings will create as far as FC.

 

[Shruggs85]

You said algae, I suggest you address that before raising CYA too much.

You determine the pump run time and SWCG settings based on FC needs. You test daily, and adjust until you find the sweet spot. Use Poolmath Effects of Adding Chemicals to see what the settings will create as far as FC.

got it - will SLAM it out first (makes sense)

Also I never updated pool math to type of sanitizer being SWG - makes it much easier understanding it all! Thank you again for your help!