I've had my pool for 32 years. 24000 gallons, plaster, DE filter. I installed a SWG for my chlorine. I can get all the water settings to correct levels but I'm concerned about the CYA level. I had the water tested. Everything was good except the CYA level. The test said 50 ppm. The store said that was perfect. However from what I have read on this site, it should be around 80. According to the SWG specs it should be 80. Like I said, this is the first year I'm doing salt. Last year I had a lot of trouble with the CYA level being too high and went through a ton of chlorine tabs. I just want to be sure about the correct CYA level before I do anything with it. I have not started the SWG yet since the water temperature is not at 65 degrees yet.
New to SWG
- Thread starter Rob F
- Start date
Merged threads - TFP Mod
In addition to my previous thread, the water is clear, however it has a greenish teal color to it instead of a blueish color. Any suggestions?
In addition to my previous thread, the water is clear, however it has a greenish teal color to it instead of a blueish color. Any suggestions?
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Rob,
In PA a CYA of 50 is probably ok... The reason we recommend a CYA of 70 or 80, when using a SWCG, is because it keeps the sun from burning off the chlorine as fast... This much more of a requirement for places in the South.
The worst that can happen, if you leave your CYA at 50, is you will use a little more chlorine each day.. If you find your FC demand is more than you like, you can slowly move your CYA level up.. I would try 50 and see what happens.. Then, if you want, move it up to 60, etc..
The key to SWCG operation is sizing the cell and run time.. The cell needs to be about 2 x the size of your pool.. This is because salt cells are rated when running 24/7 at 100% output. So for a 20K pool you want a 40K cell..
You must run your pump long enough to generate the amount of chlorine you need. Assuming that you have a 40K cell, it will generate .3 ppm of FC per hour at 100% output. Most pools use 2 to 4 ppm of FC per day, depending on their location. So.. to generate 3 ppm of FC, you'd have to run your pump for 10 hours with the cell set to 100%.
It is much better to start high and work you way down.. It is very hard to start low and try to work your way up.
I also suggest that you try to keep your FC at your FC Target or higher, rather than trying to keep your FC between your minimum and your target.. See the saltwater section of this chart.. FC/CYA Levels
As long as the water temp is above 60, I'd start the cell..
Thanks,
Jim R.
In PA a CYA of 50 is probably ok... The reason we recommend a CYA of 70 or 80, when using a SWCG, is because it keeps the sun from burning off the chlorine as fast... This much more of a requirement for places in the South.
The worst that can happen, if you leave your CYA at 50, is you will use a little more chlorine each day.. If you find your FC demand is more than you like, you can slowly move your CYA level up.. I would try 50 and see what happens.. Then, if you want, move it up to 60, etc..
The key to SWCG operation is sizing the cell and run time.. The cell needs to be about 2 x the size of your pool.. This is because salt cells are rated when running 24/7 at 100% output. So for a 20K pool you want a 40K cell..
You must run your pump long enough to generate the amount of chlorine you need. Assuming that you have a 40K cell, it will generate .3 ppm of FC per hour at 100% output. Most pools use 2 to 4 ppm of FC per day, depending on their location. So.. to generate 3 ppm of FC, you'd have to run your pump for 10 hours with the cell set to 100%.
It is much better to start high and work you way down.. It is very hard to start low and try to work your way up.
I also suggest that you try to keep your FC at your FC Target or higher, rather than trying to keep your FC between your minimum and your target.. See the saltwater section of this chart.. FC/CYA Levels
As long as the water temp is above 60, I'd start the cell..
Thanks,
Jim R.
- Jul 3, 2013
- 9,027
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool SJ-40
Welcome to TFP 
So happy you found us, now you can skip the pool store and have better looking water than you have ever had..
First you will need a test kit to test your own water, check out the kits in my signature and grab 1 of them
After you receive your kit post up your numbers and we can go from there...
The problem with the pool store is your CYA may be 50 or 150.. Did you drain from last year to lower your CYA?
So happy you found us, now you can skip the pool store and have better looking water than you have ever had..
First you will need a test kit to test your own water, check out the kits in my signature and grab 1 of them
After you receive your kit post up your numbers and we can go from there...
The problem with the pool store is your CYA may be 50 or 150.. Did you drain from last year to lower your CYA?
- Jun 7, 2017
- 10,021
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
If this is a new pool, this is normal. It will turn to blue in short order once the water is balanced.