Salt Water Generator vs Sand Pump Run Time (Florida)

[LadyRyan]

Hello. I set up my first sand filter (Intex SF80110-1) and Summer Waves Salt Water System (the ONLY thing available) to a Bestway 16x48 pool. The Summer Waves system states that is needs to run 17 hours for my pool size! The sand filter only needs to run 4 per the manual.

Is it normal to have such a big difference? Other than buying a better salt generator when available, is my only option to run both for 17 hours every day? Is this safe? Thank you!

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! Don't worry about the two references not matching. Those are company recommendations and do not take into account many other factors. The most important item is your SWG to ensure it's producing the proper amount of chlorine. Not sure about that model if it's adjustable or always producing chlorine at 100%, so check on that. Is that SWG is not adjustable and either on or off, then you'll want to adjust the pump run time so that you produce enough chlorine each day. The links below will help. Also be sure to us our PoolMath APP. There's a feature in there to determine chlorine production for different SWGs based on pool size and run time. Very handy. As for the filter, as long as the water is TFP clean and clear, that's all that matters.

If you have any other questions, just let us know.

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

Determine Pump Run Time

To figure out how many hours you need to run your pump, you need to know how fast your pump works. You can find this here.

www.troublefreepool.com

SWG How It Works - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[LadyRyan]

Texas Splash thank you. I was just going to try running them for 10 hours first. 17 is unattainable especially since we’ll be swimming. The generator has a boost mode that allows it to run in less time (9 hours vs 17) but I don’t know if I can use it daily. I believe it said just to use it if your pool is green and needs to be “shocked”. I will definitely read over more of the links here. Thank you. A bit overwhelmed I admit. I was just trying to figure out how to get started today as the pool just finished filling. My husband did the work and I’m tasked with figuring out salt, CYA, liquid bleach, test kits, and how long to run these filters we’ve never had. Your site is so appreciated.

 

[mknauss]

The most important piece of information on the pages you posted was 5.5gm/hr of chlorine gas generation.
With your 5000 gallon pool, that means your SWCG will add 0.3 ppm FC to your pool water for each HOUR it is run at 100% generation (your boost mode). In your climate, you will need to run the SWCG about 10-15 hours each day in boost mode to generate the FC you will need. You will manage that with frequent testing using a proper test kit.

 

[LadyRyan]

Thank you so much mknauss. I am knee deep in pool school right now and I think I’ve spent 30 minutes alone trying to understand CYA. We just finished filling pool. If I understand correctly, I’m putting in 3 bags of salt, running filter for 24 hours, then turning on SWG. I’m still not sure when/how much I start dealing with liquid chlorine and CYA. I’m assuming the skimmer discussed is the kind attached to side of pool (and not my sand filter) which leads me to believe I need some kind of sock. Then I’m not sure when to start testing water and what to test for. Slow slow start but once I get the hang of it it will be better. I’m glad I didn’t get a bigger pool yet!

 

[mknauss]

Add 3 ppm FC worth of liquid chlorine now. Mix it in well with a brush or run the pump.
Add 50 ppm CYA worth of dry stabilizer. Place the material in a thin sock or knee high panty hose. Hang that sock with a stick or other item in front of the water return with the pump running.
Add the salt and mix it in well with a brush. Do NOT start the SWCG until a day or two of circulating after adding the salt.
Add 3 ppm FC worth of liquid chlorine EVERY DAY until you have the SWCG up and running.

 

[LadyRyan]

Will publix bleach work? I thought I saw something about 8% but this reads 5.7% available chlorine. I put in 4 cups yesterday when pool was half full and we paused work.

 

[mknauss]

It will work. Put the 6% in Poolmath as the bleach concentration.

The 4 cups you added was 3 ppm FC. Do it again today.

 

[LadyRyan]

Oh goodness, see and I thought I was adding half of what would be needed since only half of the pool was full. I did not get to any kind of calculator yet but thank you for mentioning that I will have fun with that later. Thank you so much.

 

[LadyRyan]

mknauss I am trying to complete my profile on pool math. My SWG says “maximum chlorine output (gas gram per hour) is 5.5 g/hr”. I’m not sure what I put for 24 hr salt output. It does not list my SWG so I can auto select it. Can you help?

I went here to try and figure out what 50 ppm CYA converts to lol. Trying not to ask too many questions.

 

[mknauss]

5.5 grams X 24 hours divided by 454 grams / lb equals 0.29 lbs Chlorine Output in 24 hours.

 

[mknauss]

50 ppm of CYA in your 5000 gallon pool will take 2 lbs of dry stabilizer.

 

[LadyRyan]

I am sitting outside for over an hour trying to figure out how much of this to hang in the pool . I read another post where someone used 2.5 lbs for 5300 gallons. We have 5145 gallons but left about 2/3 inches out (up to my daughters chin). I’m guessing 2 lbs would be sufficient for now?

 

[mknauss]

Correct - as I posted above.

I’m guessing 2 lbs would be sufficient for now?

 

[LadyRyan]

Correct - as I posted above.

Thank you. I’m still not finding how to understand the ppm conversation to cups or lbs but at least I can get started and peek around more later.

 

[mknauss]

Effects of Adding Chemicals in Poolmath.

I’m still not finding how to understand the ppm conversation to cups or lbs

 

[LadyRyan]

I’m starting to find my way around. Thank you!

 

[mguzzy]

Good Lady of the Ryan...
Here is a suggestion I remember from my newbie days.. Marty's recommendations are always spot on and I trust him implicitly, but if you have any reluctance that you may be adding too much.. then add half or 2/3rds the amount and then see what level your testing takes you. Then recalculate and add some more. You can creep up on your levels this way, and its a wonderful education in how your pool responds to chems. This little trick is especially useful if you're not sure of your pools volume. For years I thought my pool was 25K because that is what the pool store told me. After continually overshooting my targets and seeing the "effects of adding".. I know now I am closer to a 20K pool.