Re-Education

[Jack5083]

I came across this page and the app while trying to clear up a cloudy pool. In the past I have always paid to have my pool closed. In the spring I would throw about 3-4 bags of shock in and BOOM I was up and running with crystal clear water. This winter due to a drain leak followed by equipment problems I let the pool go and figured I would deal with it in the spring. I have dealt with all the mechanical/filter/leak issues (pool was filled back up with water in November or December). After reading through these forum it seems as if I need to SLAM the pool to clear up the cloudy water. Based off the Chlorine/CYA chart I need my FC to be at 28. I have a taylor K2005 kit but testing for FC only goes to 10. Do I need to get a different kit?

Several questions - am I on the right track that I need to slam? If so...while doing a SLAM should I put my SWG on super Cholorinate or turn off completely? Do I need a different kit to test for higher FC?
Current readings
Pool: vinyl
Size: 18,000 gal
FC 8.75 (between 7.5 and 10 so I averaged)
PH 7.4
TA 60
CH 210
CYA 65
Salt 3300
Temp 71
CSI -.87

Any and all suggestions are welcome and encouraged

 

[Jack5083]

On last piece CC = 0
In Ground Pool

 

[tim5055]

Yes, you need to SLAM.

The difference between the K2005 kit you have and the K2006 that we recommend is the FAS/DPD chlorine test. You can just buy this one test.

FAS/DPD Chlorine Test Kit

tftestkits.net

 

[Jack5083]

Thanks so much...While doing a SLAM should I continue running my SWG in the process?

 

[JJ_Tex]

I would turn it off during a SLAM.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Some do, some don't. My preference is not as it will mask the chlorine use, IMO. As you kill algae you'll lose FC, and when the FC holds longer you'll deduce your pool is getting closer to the end. You may choose to do so, but remember it *must* be off during the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test.

Maddie

 

[Jack5083]

Thanks so much!!

 

[Casey]

Just a FYI dont ever use the SWG to boost your chlorine levels. Just manually add it with liquid chlorine. We dont want you to ruin the cell prematurely.

 

[Jack5083]

Much appreciate it - pool is looking crystal clear as of yesterday with chlorine levels holding. Thanks again to all for your help!

 

[iam4iam]

Just a FYI dont ever use the SWG to boost your chlorine levels. Just manually add it with liquid chlorine. We dont want you to ruin the cell prematurely.

The SWG isn't the right tool for boosting FC level quickly, but running the SWG for the extra time is likely actually cheaper than adding bleach if the boost doesn't have to be sudden, even factoring in the cost of cell replacement, particulary if you purchased an oversized cell. If cell replacement costs $1000 (which is generous) and you get 10,000 hrs out of the cell (which is conservative), it only costs $0.10/hr to run it. The electricity usage for extra pump running time will vary depending on where you live and the power of your pump, but unless you live in New England or Hawaii (or Alaska, but I doubt many visitors of TFP live there), it likely won't be more than $0.15/hr. I purchased a 45,000 gal cell for my 18,000 gal pool, and it adds FC to my pool at a little over 0.5 PPM/hr. My pump is a 0.71 kW pump, and my electricity costs only $0.09/kWh, so including $0.10/hr for the cell usage, it costs me around $0.16/hr to run my SWG. For me, 10 hours of SWG run = 1 gallon of 10% bleach, which is currently $4/gal of 10%. Obviously there are many variables involved, but for me, the SWG costs almost 3 times less to add FC than bleach, and I suspect it would be similar for many, if not most SWG owners, especially if their cell is oversized.