Supplement SWG with chlorine tabs to extend SWG life

[JackPool]

Good Morning,

I just recently replace my Intellichlor IC20. The first one last a little over 4 years, and the most recent one lasted exactly 4 years.

My questions is:

Does anyone turn down their SWG output, and use chlorine tabs at the same time to try and extend the life of their SWG?

I currently run my single speed pump for 8hours a day at 80% output on the SWG.

Thanks,

 

[homegameroom]

I know the cells have a finite life, so I went a little crazy and bought a cell for a 60,000 gallon pool for my ~10,000 gallon pool. I run it for about 4 hours a day, so I hope it lasts. Turning it down would probably make it last longer, but then you would have to fiddle with the output percentage whenever you added the liquid. The SWG makes it (almost) a "set it and forget it" maintenance method for me.

I don't use the tabs because I don't want anything else added to the water (calcium or any other stuff that might be in them). I haven't needed to SLAM my pool since using the TFPM, so I haven't even used liquid chlorine.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Your IC20 is a skad small for your pool. We always recommend going with a cell at least 2x the pool size. This allows you to run it less while still making all the FC you need.

I have a cell rated for 36k gallons on a 12k gallon pool. I barely run it over 20%/8 hrs per day most of the season. And yes, any time I need instant increase in FC I use liquid chlorine/bleach so I'm not using up the finite hours on my cell trying to get that fast response.

Maddie

 

[ajw22]

IC20 cell costs you $550. That is $140/year for 4 years, less then $3 a week, about 40 cents a day to sanitize your pool. No running to stores to find LC, dumping jugs, dealing with rising CYA from tabs, etc. Seems like a bargain to me.

I don’t think using those tabs really save you much, if anything.

An IC60 cell costs around $800. So for about 50% more you get 3 times the chlorine capacity. If you want to save money it always pays to buy in bulk.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Jack,

I just don't see an advantage in doing what you want... It should extend the life of the cell, but at about the same overall cost, since you have to buy the pucks...

As long as you don't let your CYA increase above 80 ppm, you should be ok..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JackPool]

Thanks to Jack and ajw22. You've confirmed what I was thinking.

 

[Boland01]

In addition to my SWG cell I also add bleach everyday. This way I can run the cell fewer hours and still maintain the chlorine ppm I need. If I need to shock I always use bleach too.