We’ve had our pool for 4 years now. We started out with a SWG. And my husband has dealt with it all. This year when we opened the pool, the SWG is not working. I’m not spending 1600.00 to purchase a new one right now. So, I thought I’d take the pool responsibilities over and start to manually chlorinate our pool myself. Problem is....I have no clue what I’m doing. A friend of mine told me about this site. I’ve read and educated myself alittle from the ABC’s that you’ve provided. However, I’m stuck at where to start. I just received the Tf 100 test kit. I was told to get my CYA right first. Not sure if that’s true, but I tested it and it’s at 100. From what I’ve read, I need to waste some water. So, I’m in the process of that now. I was thinking, I’d drain alittle and restest, and continue doing so until I get it down between 40-50. Any recommendations or advice?
Newbie...trying to figure it all out!
- Thread starter jessicakeisler
- Start date
You've started off right, just stay the course and keep reading here and learning and it'll get easier as you go.
While getting the CYA down is important, don't forget to keep some FC in there.
While getting the CYA down is important, don't forget to keep some FC in there.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,101
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome to TFP! Also take a moment to update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. See my signature for some Vital Links that are important to everyday pool care. Feel free to post all of your TF-100 test results at any time. We'll be happy to look them over. Nice to have you with us.
Flying Tivo
TFP Guide
- Jan 24, 2017
- 3,100
- Pool Size
- 7500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Remember that lowering CYA is a direct ratio to the amount of water you drain. If you drain half of your pool volume, expect to have half the cya. As to not waste water try to do it in one drain/refill if possible.
Perfect...and thank you. Should I do the Chlorine drop test or just test the chorine level to figure out the FC?
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,117
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
you need to use the one with the powder - the oto test in the blue box is really just to make sure you have chlorine but its not very precise & only goes to 5. With a cya level of 100 your minimum fc level is 8 with a target of 11-13ppm. Anything below 8 & things grow.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,117
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
may i ask- do you know whats wrong with the swg? Have you ever cleaned the cell or had it tested? 4 yrs isn’t that old. If you update your signature with all your equipment info & pool size etc. someone here may be able to help you get it back working again.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,117
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
To add your signature hit hamburger menu @ the top left of the screen & then the little “person” button & there will be the signature choice. 
if you turn your phone sideways you’ll see everyone’s signature below their post to get an idea of what to put on yours
if you turn your phone sideways you’ll see everyone’s signature below their post to get an idea of what to put on yours
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Ok thank you. So we have a pretty small pool (6000 gal). I’m going to go ahead and drain half the water. Should I wait until after I drain to test the FC?
So, a couple of things.
1) I would wait until after you drain and run a full set of tests. Don't be surprised if the CYA is still kinda high.
2) If you'll tell us the make of the SWCG we may be able to help you fix it. Some of them only require one small part to repair them 95% of the time.
1) I would wait until after you drain and run a full set of tests. Don't be surprised if the CYA is still kinda high.
2) If you'll tell us the make of the SWCG we may be able to help you fix it. Some of them only require one small part to repair them 95% of the time.
Thank you again and I’m sorry to keep asking questions...I’m just learning. But should I refill After draining and then test it? That would Probably be best right? Then test the water?
it’s a Hayward brand.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,117
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Since you’re cya tested 100 did you use the dilution method in step 8
to be sure its not higher than that so u can drain the correct amount from the beginning CYA - Cyanuric Acid Test - Trouble Free Pool
to be sure its not higher than that so u can drain the correct amount from the beginning CYA - Cyanuric Acid Test - Trouble Free Pool
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,117
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Yes it's better to refill it and then run the tests.
If it's an Aqua-rite then there's a good chance that the thermistor is bad and all you need to do is replace it. There are some good threads here about doing that.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,117
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Sorry no one mentioned it sooner - is your water cloudy, have visible algea, or ever been below fc min for your cya level? If so you’ll need to slamSLAM Process
Which works better with a lower cya 30-40 but can be done at higher cya it just requires more liquid chlorine to maintain see the chart FC/CYA Levels
If you are planning on fixing your swg (which seems like a real possibility) you can leave it at a higher cya 50-70 . Just trying to help u understand why we are telling u what we are. Its up to & how much water costs in your area along with the other logistics of draining & refilling etc. Did u drain & refill @ least 50% of your water if so please post your test results & we can go from there. Also plz fill in your signature as best u can - u can always update it later.
Which works better with a lower cya 30-40 but can be done at higher cya it just requires more liquid chlorine to maintain see the chart FC/CYA Levels
If you are planning on fixing your swg (which seems like a real possibility) you can leave it at a higher cya 50-70 . Just trying to help u understand why we are telling u what we are. Its up to & how much water costs in your area along with the other logistics of draining & refilling etc. Did u drain & refill @ least 50% of your water if so please post your test results & we can go from there. Also plz fill in your signature as best u can - u can always update it later.