Strange Salt Cell Issue

[ajw22]

If I shut off the valve for the return running the spa twice a day I assume the return won’t work. Just the jets.

What do you need the spa return for?

What does it do for you?

 

[diesel1218]

It's really just visual. I mean at the time of building a pool your not told all these expensive features do harm to your chemical levels.

 

[ajw22]

It's really just visual. I mean at the time of building a pool you’re any builders not told all these expensive features do harm to your chemical levels.

Many builders want to make the sale and give the customer what they describe and have been dreaming of. They are in the business of selling and building, not educating people about pool care.

TFP is a non-profit educational forum who teaches people about pool care both before they get their pool, and sometimes unfortunately after.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

It's really just visual. I mean at the time of building a pool your not told all these expensive features do harm to your chemical levels.

True, and it's all about knowing what happens and determining what you are comfortable with. I run my bubblers and my scuppers all weekend long when I'm home. I know what it does to my pool and I am ok with having to add more acid in order to enjoy those features.

--Jeff

 

[diesel1218]

It has been a while and I wanted to post some new tests as the weather is changing here in FL. Would love to get your thoughts on my results and opinions on what I need to do. Still battling Ph due to my water features. I am typically adding acid at least once a week but feel that's pretty common.

FC - 5.5
Ph 7.4 (I think orange pink color)
TA - 60
CH - 325
CYA - 30
SALT - 3300
Temp 74
CSI -0.54

 

[ajw22]

It has been a while and I wanted to post some new tests as the weather is changing here in FL. Would love to get your thoughts on my results and opinions on what I need to do. Still battling Ph due to my water features. I am typically adding acid at least once a week but feel that's pretty common.

FC - 5.5
Ph 7.4 (I think orange pink color)
TA - 60
CH - 325
CYA - 30
SALT - 3300
Temp 74
CSI -0.54

Once a week acid is fine.

If you only lower your pH to 7.6-7.8 your pH will not rise as rapidly.

 

[diesel1218]

Once a week acid is fine.

If you only lower your pH to 7.6-7.8 your pH will not rise as rapidly.

okay thank you should I be concerned with any of these other like the CYA or CH?

 

[ajw22]

okay thank you should I be concerned with any of these other like the CYA or CH?

CH is fine.

You should begin raising your CYA towards 70 in the next few weeks as the sun gets stronger.

 

[Newdude]

CYA

You're hitting the 80s already and as the days get longer and the sun rises in the sky, the UV will burn off the FC your SWG produces as quickly as it makes it. Or you produce it at night and the FC will swing during the day like a LC pool would.

Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to prove there is nothing brewing and then begin to raise your CYA to SWG levels. SLAM at 30 CYA is 12 FC and it's 28 FC at 70, so don't find out the hard way that you should have OCLT'd.

CH?

Fine for now. With lots of rain and soft fill water (*assuming), I imagine it's a never ending battle to keep CH/CYA/salt in the pool.

 

[diesel1218]

Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to prove there is nothing brewing and then begin to raise your CYA to SWG levels. SLAM at 30 CYA is 12 FC and it's 28 FC at 70, so don't find out the hard way that you should have OCLT'd.

I am sorry this is over my head, I have done an overnight test and it is normal loss per day. I have recently this week turned up the % on my SWG to adjust as the sun has been out and hitting the pool more. I guess it wouldn't hurt to do another OCLT.

Am I not supposed to add stabilizer to the pool for the CYA or still too early?

 

[diesel1218]

begin to raise your CYA to SWG levels

sorry this is what I am confused on.

 

[Newdude]

You'll need more CYA (70) for the SWG, but possibly not as much as everyone else because of the cage.

Maybe split the difference and add to 50 for now. If you find the FC isn't holding in a couple weeks, then we'll revisit adding more.

I guess it wouldn't hurt to do another OCLT.

If the other one was recent, as in, a couple days and not weeks, that's good enough.

 

[Mdragger88]

sorry this is what I am confused on.

We suggest 30 to 60 for liquid chlorine users, and 60 to 90 for salt water generator users.
You’ll notice this is indicated on the charts
FC/CYA Levels
Lower end if the ranges can work when uv is quite low and during the peak of summer depending upon the climate (like in the southern US) some pools need to be toward the upper end of the ranges to help protect mire of their fc.
Its an ebb & flow situation with the seasons - however many are fine being smack dab in the middle of the ranges all season long. Ymmv.

 

[diesel1218]

Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to prove there is nothing brewing and then begin to raise your CYA to SWG levels. SLAM at 30 CYA is 12 FC and it's 28 FC at 70, so don't find out the hard way that you should have OCLT'd.

Morning, so no over night loss on the FC. Still registered a 5.5 FC and 0 CC. You're suggesting I grab some stabilizer to 50 for now? I normally pour this into the skimmer correct?

 

[mknauss]

I normally pour this into the skimmer correct?

CYA - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[ajw22]

I normally pour this into the skimmer correct?

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

Solid/granular CYA should be placed in a sock and the sock put in the skimmer basket or suspended in front of a pool return. If suspending near a return jet, ensure the sock cannot rest against the pool surface since the granules are acidic and could potentially discolor the surface. After adding CYA you should leave the pump running for 24 hours and not backwash/clean the filter for a week. After soaking for about 30 minutes, squeezing the sock periodically will help it to dissolve faster. Test and dose chemicals in your pool assuming the amount of CYA added is in the pool according to Poolmath. CYA can be tested the day after it is fully dissolved from the sock.


Liquid conditioner is a very thick product. It is best to shake the bottle well before dispensing. Follow the instructions on the bottle. If added to the skimmer, do so slowly to ensure water flow to the pump is not restricted. If added to the pool elsewhere, do so in an area that can be brushed as it may settle to the floor. Once emptied, it may be necessary to fill the bottle with pool water to help remove any residual thick product from the bottom of the bottle.

 

[Newdude]

so no over night loss on the FC

Sweet !!! Better to know for sure.

You're suggesting I grab some stabilizer to 50 for now

Yes.

normally pour this into the skimmer correct?

Tie up a sock(s) carrot on a stick like in front of a running return. Some time later or even tomorrow it'll be mush and squeeze right out. Folks have bricked their plumbing with granuals, or had to wait a week for the CYA to dissolve from the filter. And there's never a good reason to put acid through your equipment.

 

[diesel1218]

Tie up a sock(s) carrot on a stick like in front of a running return. Some time later or even tomorrow it'll be mush and squeeze right out. Folks have bricked their plumbing with granuals, or had to wait a week for the CYA to dissolve from the filter. And there's never a good reason to put acid through your equipment.

I use socks on my skimmer basket for small bugs, can I place it in there or you think a actual sock in front of a return is better?

 

[ajw22]

I use socks on my skimmer basket for small bugs, can I place it in there or you think a actual sock in front of a return is better?

I prefer a socks in front of returns.

 

[Newdude]

I use socks on my skimmer basket for small bugs

Those are open and also flimsy. I wouldn't trust them not ripping.

It's easy enough to hang the sock, so why risk the pump shutting off with acid soaking in the skimmer ?

You can get crafty with it. I usually need alot and use a Tshirt tied up like I'm a hobo on a freight car.